Perioperative Assistant

University of Missouri Health Care; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 21,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision and dental insurance

Paid leave and holidays

Retirement options

Tuition assistance

Discounts on various services

Job summary

University of Missouri Health Care is seeking a Perioperative Assistant to join the surgical services team in Columbia, MO. The on-site role supports OR readiness, patient transport, and efficient surgical operations, with a Monday–Friday shift from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Base pay ranges from $15.00 to $23.64 per hour, commensurate with experience.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, and dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care in a fast-paced surgical environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1 year healthcare experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist anesthesia by running for supplies, cleaning mouth gags, re-supplying carts with supplies and positioning of patient.
• Prepare operating rooms and ensure sterility and readiness for procedures.
• Transport surgical specimens, blood products, and supplies as needed.
• Assist staff nurse in patient care during perioperative processes.
• Maintain daily sterilizer logs and bid inventory; assist with housekeeping supplies.
• Provide comfort measures for patients and support perioperative workflow.
• Pull add-on and next day cases as directed.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Summary

Shift: Monday to Friday, 6am to 2:30pm

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Department: Operating Room University Hospital

Facility: University Hospital - 1 Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO

Compensation

• Base Pay Range: $15.00 (entry level qualifications) - $23.64 (highly experienced) per hour, based on experience.


• Union Bid Period: October 29 to November 4, 2026

About the Job

MU Health Care is seeking a dynamic and dedicated Perioperative Assistant to join our surgical services team. We are looking for candidates who are detail-oriented, proactive, and passionate about delivering exceptional patient care. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy being a critical part of a surgical team, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

As a Perioperative Assistant, you will play an essential role in supporting surgical staff and ensuring operating rooms are prepared, organized, and ready for patient care. Your ability to anticipate needs, maintain supplies, transport patients safely, and support efficient surgical operations will make you an invaluable member of the team.

About MU Health Care

MU Health Care is proud to be named one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Employers seven years in a row, and that’s largely a result of the incredible culture and team we’ve built. At MU Health Care, we have an inspired, hard-working and collaborative environment driven by our mission to save and improve lives. Here, we believe anything is possible and rally around solutions. We celebrate innovation and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger - to have a voice and role in the work that is serving our community and changing the field of medicine.

Our academic health system — the only in mid-Missouri — is home to seven hospitals, including the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and region’s only Children’s Hospital, as well as over 90 specialty clinics. Here you can define your career among our many clinical and nonclinical positions - with growth, opportunity and support every step of the way.

Learn more about MU Health Care.

Learn more about living in mid-Missouri.

Employee Benefits

• Health, vision and dental insurance coverage starting day one


• Generous paid leave and paid time off, including ten holidays


• Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8%and full vesting in three years


• Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%)


• Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels and more


• See a comprehensive list of benefits here.

Detailed Job Description

• All duties and standards within this document will be performed in compliance with regulatoryguidelines and applicable federal/state laws according to University policies and procedures.


• Appropriately tag and remove faulty equipment and return repaired equipment. Assess daily supplyinventory and order daily or as directed.


• Assist Anesthesia by running for supplies, cleaning mouth gags, re-supplying carts with suppliesand positioning of patient.


• Assist the staff nurse in patient care.


• Initiates action in emergency situations (include CPR).


• Maintain daily sterilizer logs,cidexlogs, run chemical and biological indicators. Maintenance,ordering and correct usage of housekeeping supplies.


• Perform other duties as assigned.


• Perform pre/post-surgical needs for patient.


• Pre/Post procedure cleaning of operating rooms, including soiled linen, trash collection anddisposal, including proper disposal of biohazard materials.


• Prepare equipment and supplies for use in Perioperative areas. Produce the annual inventory of O.R.equipment and supplies.


• Provide comfort measures for patients by providing them with blankets and raising bed side-rails.


• Pull add-on and next day cases as directed.


• Routine daily, weekly and monthly cleaning of floors, walls, room furniture and equipment.


• Stockrooms and warmers with supplies on a daily basis or as directed.


• Store equipment and supplies correctly.


• Transport surgical specimens, blood, blood products, cultures, non-narcotic medications, suppliesand requisitions as needed.


• Transportation of patient and patient's belongs.


• May complete unit/department specific duties as outlined in department documents.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities can be acquired.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year of experience working in a health care environment or patient care experience. Additional license/certification requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. This position is very active and requires ambulating, reaching, and moving objects weighing up to and over 20 lbs.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.