Why do you want to work in the operating room?

"I want to work in the operating room because I want to help save and improve patients' lives, be challenged at work, and continuously improve my capabilities in surgery" is a good answer to this interview question.

What is an operating room assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted expert

Jason Mott Ph.D.

An operating room assistant provides support to the surgical team. They prepare the operating room, sterilize instruments, position patients, and assist with transport. They also monitor vital signs and ensure proper function of the equipment. Operating room assistants work with surgeons, nurses, and healthcare professionals to ensure that surgeries run smoothly and provide the best possible patient care. They have strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well under pressure.

What general advice would you give to an operating room assistant?

Jason Mott Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Pre-licensure Program Director/Assistant Dean, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

I think the best advice for new graduates is to be flexible. Things are going to change daily. It is essential to be able to go with the flow. Also, take time for yourself. As the numbers of covid patients increase, staff members are at high risk of developing burnout. It is essential to take time for yourself to relax and get away from everything, even if for only a few minutes. That way, you can prevent becoming burned out.

ScoreOperating Room AssistantUS Average

Salary

2.7

Avg. Salary $34,177

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.5

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.95%

Asian 7.08%

Black or African American 9.58%

Hispanic or Latino 16.25%

Unknown 5.02%

White 61.12%

Gender

female 53.20%

male 46.80%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress level

8.5

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an operating room assistant?

Pros

Hands-on experience with surgical procedures and equipment
Potential for career advancement and specialization
High job security due to constant demand for healthcare workers
Flexible scheduling and potential for overtime pay
Competitive salary with benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans

Cons

Exposure to bodily fluids and infectious diseases
Long hours on your feet with limited breaks
Physically demanding work that can lead to injuries or strain
Potential for exposure to harmful chemicals and radiation from medical equipment
May require working nights, weekends, or holidays

Key steps to become an operating room assistant

Explore operating room assistant education requirements

Most common operating room assistant degrees

Bachelor's

42.8 %

High School Diploma

23.1 %

Associate

20.3 %

Start to develop specific operating room assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	34.37%
Surgery	10.71%
Anesthesia	5.23%
Room Turnover	4.02%
Direct Patient Care	3.08%

Complete relevant operating room assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New operating room assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an operating room assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real operating room assistant resumes.

Gain additional operating room assistant certifications

Operating room assistant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific operating room assistant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for operating room assistants include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant.

More About Certifications

Research operating room assistant duties and responsibilities

Manage facility organization and cleanliness, maximizing the utilization of the facility and the efficiency of athlete's training routines.
Attach electrodes to patients in order to monitor electrocardiogram [EKG].
Obtain specimens, perform CPR, provide first aid, and check vital signs.
Facilitate patient safety while under anesthesia and awaking from anesthesia.

Prepare your operating room assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your operating room assistant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an operating room assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable operating room assistant resume templates

Build a professional operating room assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your operating room assistant resume.

Apply for operating room assistant jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an operating room assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do operating room assistants rate their job?

4/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Operating room assistant reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2021

Pros

Knowing that you are supporting Doctor's , Nurses , and other health care providers, helping people recover from illness or injury and if they are in the end stages allowing them to have respect and dignity in the end stages of life, being able to give aid and comfort to their families. Seeing that love ones even if they have no family receive respect. I enjoy helping people when they need it the most.

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020

Cons

Underpaid.. Work overload. Sometimes unorganized management. Unfairness...number one is understaffing

4.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019