Operating Room Assistant/UKHC

University of Kentucky; Lexington, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kentucky is seeking an ORA (Operating Room Assistant) to support the nursing team in a hospital setting. Duties include opening sterile supplies, holding instruments, running errands, and transporting patients by bed or wheelchair.

You will assist with inventory, prepare supplies, and ensure patient IDs and belongings are secure. Applicants should be able to follow directions with strong organization and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in hospital setting preferred.
• Ability to lift up to 100 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Open sterile supplies and hold instruments.
• Transport patients by bed, wheelchair, or stretcher.
• Run errands and obtain supplies and blood/pharmacy products.
• Assist with OR turnover duties: cleaning tables, mopping floors, changing linens.

Skills

Follow directions

Organization

Attention to detail

Customer focus

Communication

Job description

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

This position requires regularly lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects weighing up to or over 50 pounds; and standing or walking with objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Also involves some exposure to risk of injury from moving, lifting, or positioning patients, equipment, or materials; and exposure to blood-borne or airborne pathogens and recombinant DNA or viral vectors.

Shift

Must be able to work days, evenings, and/or nights with some weekends, holidays, and on-call requirements per departmental need (40 hours per week).

Job Summary

The ORA assists the nursing team through duties such as opening sterile supplies; holding instruments and extremities; running errands; obtaining supplies and blood/pharmacy products; transporting patients by bed, wheelchair, or stretcher; ensuring patient ID badges are correct; securing patient belongings; and performing OR turnover duties including cleaning OR tables, mopping floors, changing trash and linens, and assisting with inventory counts. Responsibilities involve handling equipment and supplies with aseptic technique; efficiently communicating; maintaining patient confidentiality; and pushing, pulling, and/or lifting patients and objects up to/greater than 100 pounds.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

The ideal candidate will have the ability to follow directions; excellent organization skills; great attention to detail; customer focus; and exceptional communication skills.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No

Preferred Education/Experience

Previous hospital experience preferred.

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 09/17/2026

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.