Surgical Aide

Salary : $67,333.76 - $81,298.88 Annually
Location : San Jose Metropolitan Area, CA
Job Type: Full-Time/Part-Time
Job Number: 26-P82-A
Department: Santa Clara Valley Health Care - Valley Medical Center
Opening Date: 06/01/2026
Closing Date: 6/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 01


Description


Under the clinical supervision of a Registered Nurse and direction of the Assistant Nurse Manager, to assist with patient preparation, transportation, and to prepare the assigned operating/procedure rooms with the instruments, supplies and equipment required for the surgical procedure to be performed while working in an environment defined by sterile and unsterile areas.
The Power of WE : Together, we can make a greater impact. Bringing better care and expanding healthcare services across the community.
Santa Clara Valley Healthcare (SCVH) is the second largest public health care system in California and includes three acute care hospitals, 14 clinics and 60+ specialty and sub-specialty services. Our mission is to provide high-quality, accessible healthcare and excellent service to everyone in Santa Clara County.


Santa Clara Valley Medical Center - SCVMC is a full-service tertiary acute care teaching hospital with 699 licensed beds providing a wide range of specialized services, including Rehabilitation, Burn, Trauma, and NICU. SCVMC was ranked by U.S. News and World Report as #6 Rehabilitation Hospital in the nation and #1 in the West and designated as a 2024 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care, Heart Failure, Stroke, Hip Fracture, and Pneumonia.

O'Connor Hospital - O'Connor Hospital (OCH) is a 358 licensed bed acute care facility offering a full range of inpatient and outpatient medical, surgical and specialty programs to residents of Santa Clara County. It was founded in 1889 as one of the first hospitals in the county. OCH has grown significantly over the past five years in both its inpatient volume and its Emergency Department visits. Along with these volume increases other ancillary and clinical departments like imaging, lab, pharmacy, and respiratory have seen growth as well.

St. Louise Regional Hospital - Since 1989, St. Louise Regional Hospital (SLRH) has been caring for the residents in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties, offering a wide range of inpatient and outpatient medical specialties. SLRH has 93 beds, is a Designated Primary Stroke Center, and is the only acute care hospital in the area. Located in Gilroy, SLRH maintains a CALSTAR 2 emergency helicopter base on the premises.


Regional Medical Center - Regional Medical Center (RMC) is a 258-bed hospital that is the main emergency healthcare provider for East San José, treating a wide range of critical and life-threatening conditions for more than 60 years. Since the SCVH integration of RMC effective 4/1/25, RMC has expanded the critical services including Level II trauma, Thrombectomy capable Stroke Center and STEMI care, and has been seeing an increased number of emergency visits and inpatient volume.

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Typical Tasks
Case preparation (patient, surgeon, and procedure specific):

• Matches scheduled procedure to surgical preference list;
  
  
• Gathers instruments and supplies listed on surgical preference list;
  
  
• Checks surgical preference list for completeness and locates and prepares missing items;
  
  
• Checks for and assures required speciality equipment is available;
  
  
• Room preparation;
  
  
• Positions operating room table (bed) for surgical procedure;
  
  
• Makes bed;
  
  
• Brings in all supplies, instruments and equipment needed for the scheduled procedure;
  
  
• Unwraps sterile supplies and instruments using aseptic technique;
  
  
• Aseptically places unwrapped sterile items onto a sterile field;
  
  
• Positions nonsterile equipment appropriately for scheduled surgical procedure;
  
  
• Transports "flash" sterilized instruments aseptically to surgical suite;

Patient preparation:

• Assists and/or transports patient from nursing unit/holding area to assigned operating/procedure room;
  
  
• Assists in transportation of patients from the surgical suite directly to the Intensive Care Unit/Observation Unit;
  
  
• Helps transfer patient from transport gurney to the surgical/procedure table;
  
  
• Helps secure patient with safety straps to surgical/procedure table;
  
  
• Under direction of the RN or MD, assists with positioning the patient for the surgery/procedure scheduled;
  
  
• Performs shave preps on cardiac patients;

Intraoperative assistance:

• Helps transfer sedated post-surgical patients from surgical/procedure table to transport gurney or bed;
  
  
• Obtains ('runs for") extra supplies, instruments and equipment needed by the surgical team;
  
  
• Sterilizes instruments for immediate use, using the sterilization and chemical disinfection methods and equipment or gravity displacement autoclave;
  
  
• Transports sterilized instruments aseptically to surgical suite/procedure room;
  
  
• Picks up blood from transfusion service, documents, and places blood in blood refrigerator;
  
  
• Takes blood from the OR blood refrigerator to surgical suite when directed to do so by the RN or MD;
  
  
• Documents and returns unused blood to the transfusion service upon patient transfer from OR or PACU to nursing unit;
  
  
• Processes orders for dire (life threatening) and stat (extreme emergency) supplies from sterile processing and cart staging via the computer system as needed and picks up or ensures their timely arrival to the surgical suite;
  
  
• Transports specimens to the correct lab using proper precautions;
  
  
• Transports dire lab results from front desk to surgical suite;

Post operative Room Preparation, adhering to blood born pathogen precautionary measures:

• Strips linen from surgical/procedure table;
  
  
• Removes linen and garbage bags from room;
  
  
• Cleans all specialty equipment/instruments with germicide;
  
  
• Removes specialty equipment/instruments not required by the next surgical procedure;
  
  
• Checks and when necessary, changes compressed gas tanks for next procedure or before returning to storage area;
  
  
• Washes all surfaces with germicide;
  
  
• Replaces suction canisters, linen bags and garbage bags;
  
  
• Returns room furnishings to usual set up;
  
  
• Restocks room supplies at end of the surgical day;
  
  
• May return used case cart with dirty instruments and garbage to decontamination room;
  
  
• Washes and prepares scopes for chemical disinfection or Sterrad (sterilization) or other sterilization equipment for speciality procedures;

Organization and time management:

• Anticipates and prioritizes time regarding required instruments, scopes, equipment and supplies needed for next scheduled procedure;
  
  
• Prepares surgical case cart for all assigned procedures;
  
  
• Accurately prepares instruments, supplies, and equipment kept in the department for unscheduled emergencies and add-on procedures;

Additional duties as assigned:

• Checks, changes gauges, and prepares compressed gas tanks for pick up or exchange;
  
  
• Fills designated warmers with sterile solution and linen;
  
  
• Submits daily linen order;
  
  
• Restocks linens;
  
  
• Checks and restocks scrub sink area masks, scrub brushes and other required supplies;
  
  
• Unloads and shelves supplies in designated areas;
  
  
• Prepares linen packs for post-op room preparation;
  
  
• Keeps hallways and storage areas neat and clear;
  
  
• Dusts and treats surgical suites with alcohol, supply shelving and carts weekly;
  
  
• Picks up food order on a daily basis;
  
  
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
  
  
• Assists with other assigned duties and projects;

* Will NOT administer medications.

Employment Standards


The knowledge and abilities are acquired through possession of a high school diploma or the equivalent and one (1) year of experience in an acute care setting demonstrating the ability to perform tasks similar to patient and surgical preparation duties in an environment defined by sterile and unsterile areas. Completion of a recognized formal training program in Surgical Technology may be substituted for the required experience.

Possession of current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) issued by the American Red Cross is required upon appointment.

Knowledge of:

• Basic medical terminology;
  
  
• Basic anatomy;
  
  
• Aseptic technique;
  
  
• Medical equipment, supplies, and instruments required for different types of surgeries;
  
  
• Basic hospital organization;
  
  
• Sterilization and/or other sterilization equipment chemical disinfection methods.

Ability to:

• Perform Basic Life Support;
  
  
• Read, write, comprehend and speak English clearly;
  
  
• Follow directions in English;
  
  
• Demonstrate a willingness to help others;
  
  
• Adapt quickly to changes in assignments and priorities;
  
  
• Organize work and work area and complete work promptly;
  
  
• Wear hospital laundered scrub clothes;
  
  
• Work harmoniously and cooperatively with others.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently lift 35-50 or more pounds safely;
  
  
• Raise arms over head;
  
  
• Transport patient in specialty bed, with assistance from another worker;
  
  
• Push transport bed including the patient without assistance;
  
  
• Walk or stand for long periods of time;
  
  
• Perform repetitive motions;
  
  
• Perform full range of motion without mobility restrictions;
  
  
• Bend, twist and flex all extremities;
  
  
• Handle disinfecting chemicals without risk to health, using proper protective equipment;
  
  
• Maintain visual and auditory acuity.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more


The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE : Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01


Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED for your application and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. Please include the employer(s), your job title(s), dates of employment, job duties, and number of hours worked per week for questions asking about your experience. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Vague, incomplete or non-responsive answers could result in no or low scores in a competitive rating process. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02


Did you separate from the County through the 2020 Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP)?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you possess a high school diploma or the equivalent?

• Yes
• No

04


How many years of experience do you possess in an acute care setting performing patient and surgical preparation duties in an environment defined by sterile and unsterile areas?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten years or more

05


Describe your experience in an acute care setting performing patient preparation duties. Please include the employer(s), your job title(s), dates of employment, job duties, and number of hours worked per week. If you do not have this experience, write "none."
06


Describe your experience in an acute care setting performing surgical preparation duties. Please include the employer(s), your job title(s), dates of employment, job duties, and number of hours worked per week. If you do not have this experience, write "none."
07


How many years of experience do you possess in an Ambulatory (Outpatient) care setting performing patient and surgical preparation duties in an environment defined by sterile and unsterile areas?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten years or more

08


Describe your experience in an Ambulatory (Outpatient) setting performing patient preparation duties. Please include the employer(s), your job title(s), dates of employment, job duties, and number of hours worked per week. If you do not have this experience, write "none."
09


Describe your experience in an Ambulatory (Outpatient) setting performing surgical preparation duties. Please include the employer(s), your job title(s), dates of employment, job duties, and number of hours worked per week. If you do not have this experience, write "none."
10


Have you completed a recognized formal training program in Surgical Technology?

• Yes
• No

11


If you answered yes, please provide the name of the Surgical Technology program, the dates of attendance, and attach your certificate of completion. If you answered no, write "none."
12


Do you possess a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association?

• Yes
• No

13


Do you possess a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification issued by the American Red Cross?

• Yes
• No

14


Do you have formal training in scope care and handling?

• Yes
• No

15


If you answered yes, please describe your formal training in scope care and handling. If you do not have any, write "none."
16


How many years of post-operative room preparation experience do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten years or more

17


Describe your post-operative room preparation experience. Please include the employer(s), your job title(s), dates of employment, job duties, and number of hours worked per week. If you do not have this experience, write "none."
18


Please complete this survey carefully. Your responses will determine whether or not you will be referred for a specific position (i.e., geographical location). Please place a mark next to the location(s) in which you would be willing to work.

• Valley Medical Center
• O'Connor
• Saint Louse Regional
• Regional Medical Center

19


How did you find out about this job?

• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Contacted by a Recruitment Firm
• County Employee Referral
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Virtual Job Fair
• In Person Job Fair
• In-Person Networking Professional Event
• Virtual Networking Event
• Community Event
• Glassdoor
• Governmentjobs.com
• Professional Association
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Hospital Website: SCVMC, O'Connor Hospital, St. Louise Regional Hospital Website
• Handshake
• Student Career Center
• County Text Message
• Other (Specify in the next question)

20


If you selected an event/fair or other in the question above, please specify. If not, type n/a.
Required Question