Surgical Assistant/Operating Room Assistant

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:About Cerro Alto

Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital is a privately owned, doctor-led specialty and emergency hospital on California’s Central Coast. Built by specialists who believe great medicine starts with great people, we’re committed to collaboration, mentorship, and delivering exceptional, patient-centered care across surgery, emergency, internal medicine, oncology, cardiology, and advanced imaging.

Our surgery service works alongside emergency, internal medicine, radiology, oncology, and cardiology in a fast-growing, high-energy hospital environment. If you want to be part of a team that takes medicine seriously — but not itself — you’ll feel at home here.

Why This Role Is Special

This is not a “just set up rooms and clean instruments” job.

As a Surgical Assistant at Cerro Alto, you’ll be deeply involved in a specialty surgery service that performs advanced orthopedic, soft tissue, minimally invasive, and emergency procedures.

You’ll work side-by-side with board-certified surgeons, anesthetists, and experienced technicians who love to teach, mentor, and build people up.

This role is ideal for someone who wants real exposure, real responsibility, and a clear path for growth — whether that’s into lead assistant roles, anesthesia, specialty technician training, or long-term leadership within a referral hospital.

You’ll be a critical part of keeping our surgery service running safely, efficiently, and at a high standard of excellence.

What You’ll Do

You’ll be trusted with both patient care and case coordination, playing a central role in outcomes and client experience.

Core Responsibilities:

• Process, clean, package, and sterilize surgical instruments and packs
• Maintain sterilization logs and ensure compliance with aseptic protocols
• Set up and break down operating rooms between procedures
• Assist surgeons and anesthesia team during surgical procedures
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient surgical environment
• Support daily workflow of the surgery service and help anticipate team needs
• Stock, organize, and manage surgical supplies and equipment
• Assist with patient transport, positioning, and preparation for surgery
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative OR culture

Requirements:What We’re Looking For

We care just as much about attitude and curiosity as we do about experience.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Must be able to work 10-hour shifts, flexible Monday through Friday
• Have experience in a veterinary, medical, or surgical environment (preferred, not required)
• Are detail-oriented and take pride in doing things the right way
• Stay calm and focused in a fast-paced, high-acuity setting
• Enjoy being part of a tight-knit, high-performing team
• Want to learn, grow, and build a long-term career in specialty medicine
• Communicate clearly and support others when things get busy