Surgical Assistant/Operating Room Assistant

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

Why Cerro Alto

We’re building something intentional here—a hospital where people enjoy coming to work, where technicians are valued for their expertise, and where patient care benefits from true collaboration across services.

If you’re looking for a place where you can grow, be challenged, and be part of a genuinely supportive team, we’d love to connect.

Shift Differentials

We recognize the value of overnight and weekend coverage and offer additional compensation for eligible hours worked:

• Overnight Differential: +$3.00/hour for hours worked between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM
• Weekend Differential: +$3.00/hour for hours worked between Friday at 8:00 PM and Monday at 6:00 AM

These differentials are separate and cumulative. Team members working eligible overnight hours during the weekend differential period may earn both differentials, providing the opportunity to earn up to an additional $6.00/hour above their base rate.

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