ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Operating Room Assistant Jobs in Happy Valley, OR

Kaiser Permanente

RN, OR First Assist

Clackamas, OR · On-site

$58.59/hr

... room tear down and turn over in collaboration with the Circulating Nurse and scrub person. May perform pre and post-operative patient education as designated. Review chart for pertinent data. Assist ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsOperating Room JobsOperating Room Assistant JobsOperating Room Assistant Jobs in Happy Valley, OR

Operating Room Assistant information

What is an operating room assistant?

Operating Room Assistants, also known as OR Assistants or surgical support staff, are healthcare workers who play a vital role in maintaining the cleanliness, safety, and efficiency of the operating room. They transport patients, prepare and clean surgical areas, manage surgical instruments, and assist nurses and surgical teams with non-sterile tasks before, during, and after procedures. Their support ensures a sterile and organized environment, helping surgeries run smoothly and safely.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an operating room assistant?

To thrive as an Operating Room Assistant, you need a basic understanding of surgical procedures, infection control, and patient care, typically supported by a high school diploma and on-the-job training or certification in sterile processing. Familiarity with surgical instruments, sterilization equipment, and hospital inventory systems is essential. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong communication skills help ensure smooth operations and patient safety in high-pressure environments. These abilities are vital for maintaining a sterile environment, supporting surgical teams, and ensuring successful surgical outcomes.

What are some common challenges operating room assistants face during surgical procedures?

Operating Room Assistants often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict sterility in a fast-paced environment, quickly adapting to changing surgical needs, and efficiently coordinating with the surgical team under pressure. They must be vigilant to prevent contamination, manage surgical instruments, and anticipate the needs of surgeons and nurses. Strong communication skills and the ability to remain calm during emergencies are essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Operating Room Assistant vs Surgical Technologist?

AspectOperating Room AssistantSurgical Technologist
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingPost-secondary education; certification often required
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, surgical centersHospitals, surgical centers, outpatient facilities
Job RoleAssist surgical team with supplies, prep rooms, and patient carePrepare operating rooms, sterilize instruments, assist during surgeries

While both roles support surgical teams, Operating Room Assistants typically focus on patient support and logistical tasks, whereas Surgical Technologists have specialized training to prepare surgical instruments and assist directly during procedures. Both roles are essential in surgical settings, but Surgical Technologists usually require formal certification and have more technical responsibilities.

How do you become an operating room assistant?

To become an operating room assistant, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and may pursue relevant certifications such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Surgical Technologist. On-the-job training is common, and strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are important skills for the role.

How hard is it to become an operating room assistant?

Becoming an operating room assistant typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, along with on-the-job training or certification in healthcare support. Some positions may prefer or require knowledge of medical terminology, basic patient care skills, and familiarity with surgical environments, but the entry process is generally accessible with minimal formal education.

What cities near Happy Valley, OR are hiring for Operating Room Assistant jobs?

Cities near Happy Valley, OR with the most Operating Room Assistant job openings:

Operating Room Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Operating Room Assistant job openings in Happy Valley, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

RN, OR First Assist

Kaiser Permanente

Clackamas, OR • On-site

$58.59/hr

Other

Re-posted 27 days ago

Kaiser Permanente rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 927 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

54th of 898 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Job Summary:

Provides assistance to the surgical team during the intra-operative phase of surgical care for the Northwest Surgical Services region. Works in collaboration with the surgeon and health care team in the performance of surgical procedures, including assessment, planning, directing, providing and evaluating advanced nursing care. All RNFAs will participate in a regional on-call rotation to provide surgical assistance for elective, emergent and urgent surgical cases.

Essential Responsibilities:


  • Representative Functions or Duties: Practice standards of performance: Pre-operative. Performs pre-operative assessment and evaluation. Collaborates with the surgical team on plan of care. Intra-operative: Provides knowledge based technical assistance to the surgeon during the operative procedure according to AORN standards, licensure, state regulation and facility/practice protocols, including: Using instruments and medical devices. Providing surgical exposure. Handling and/or cutting tissue. Providing hemostatis, clamp, cut, and ligate tissue as directed by the surgeon. Suturing as directed by the surgeon. Post-Operative. Evaluates the patient post-operatively according to facility protocols.

  • Assessment Standard of Performance & Planning: Communicates information so that continuity of care is maintained. Communicates with patient, family and other staff in a professional and courteous manner. Obtains and demonstrates the skills and knowledge needed to provide appropriate population based and culturally sensitive care to patients and families through education, training and experience.  Provides continuous reassessment through the intra operative period. Utilizes knowledge of type of procedure to plan for appropriate set up.

  • Practice standards of performance: Function as an assistant in all surgical specialties at the direction of the attending surgeon. Performs RNFA responsibilities in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act of the State of Oregon, institutional policies and procedures of Kaiser Permanente and the AORN Position Statement on RN First Assistants. Practice within limitations of preparation and experience. Demonstrate RNFA specific clinical skills. Review and update skills checklist on an ongoing basis as specified by policies of Kaiser Permanente. Intra operative nursing behaviors include:  handling tissue, providing exposure, using instruments, clamp, cut, and legate as directed by the surgeon, providing homeostasis, suturing as directed by the surgeon. Assists with room preparation in collaboration with the Circulating Nurse and scrub person. Brings patient X-rays into room NOTE: Notifies Charge Nurse or designee if films are not available. Assists in patient transport to the operating room and patient transfer to the operating room table. Provides assistance to Anesthesia during induction. Participates in pre-op briefing time out process. Assists in patient position. Assists in patient preparation, i.e., prepping, catheterization, shaving, as necessary. Assists in patient draping. Sets up ESU, lights, suction for the sterile field. Monitors free counted items on the sterile field. Observes for breaks in sterile technique and takes appropriate action as necessary.

  • Assists with instrumentation and equipment as requested. Applies dressings and secures drainage tubes. Assists with patient transfer and positioning post operatively. Assists with room tear down and turn over in collaboration with the Circulating Nurse and scrub person. May perform pre and post-operative patient education as designated. Review chart for pertinent data. Assist in maintaining a safe environment and promoting efficiency in surgical. Procedures.

Basic Qualifications:
Experience


  • Minimum two (2) years of peri-operative scrubbing and circulating experience in a KP OR or one (1) year experience as an RNFA in or outside of KP.

Education

  • Certification of Completion from AORN recognized RNFA course.
  • Successful completion of an RNFA program that meets the AORN Recommended Education Standards for RNFA and criteria for the CB.PMN acceptance program.
License, Certification, Registration
  • Registered Nurse License (Oregon)
  • Nurse Operating Room Certificate
  • Basic Life Support
Additional Requirements:

  • Meets all qualification of an RNFA as outlined in AORN Position Statement.
  • Must maintain CNOR and RN licensure with the required amount of Continuing Education.
Preferred Qualifications:

  • Minimum two (2) years of practice as an RNFA.
  • CRNFA certification preferred.
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required upon hire/transfer preferred.

What Kaiser Permanente employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply