Surgical Support Assistant

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is seeking a Surgical Support Assistant to help prepare operating rooms, manage sterile supplies, and support perioperative teams before and during procedures. The role requires at least 2 years in an OR support function, strong communication, and the ability to handle medium to heavy equipment.

Work is in New York, with five 8-hour shifts 1:00pm–9:00pm, Monday through Friday, plus rotation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in operating room support.
• Ability to communicate effectively with surgical teams.
• Ability to push, pull, lift and carry medium to heavy weights.

Responsibilities

• Room Preparation: Secure instruments, sterile supplies and equipment for procedures.
• Supply/Stocking: Process inventory requests and place supplies in designated areas.
• Surgical Assistance: Assist during surgery with supplies and gowning per protocol.
• Quality Improvement: Participate in data collection and OR standards adherence.

Skills

OR experience

Effective communication

Physical strength

Job description

About Us

The people of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are united by a singular mission: ending cancer for life. Our specialized care teams provide personalized, compassionate, expert care to patients of all ages. Informed by basic research done at our Sloan Kettering Institute, scientists across MSK collaborate to conduct innovative translational and clinical research that is driving a revolution in our understanding of cancer as a disease and improving the ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat it. MSK is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and clinicians, who go on to pursueour missionat MSK and around the globe.

Exciting Opportunity at MSK

We are seeking a dedicated Surgical Support Assistant. In this role, you will play a critical part in ensuring safe, efficient surgical care by preparing operating rooms, managing sterile supplies, and supporting perioperative teams before and during procedures with our Operating Room Team.

Role Overview

• Room Preparation: Secure instruments, sterile supplies and special equipment including sterile trays, disposable sterile products, and sutures, ensuring rooms are ready for surgical procedures in assigned operating rooms.
• Supply/Stocking: Complete inventory request forms and place supplies in designated areas, reporting any stock shortages to Supervisor and Supply Clerks.
• Surgical Assistance: Assist Nurses and Physicians during surgery in acquisition of supplies, sterilizing equipment and gowning procedures according to proper protocol.
• Quality Improvement: Participate in the unit-based QI activity through participation in data collection of ancillary activity, problem identification and resolution, and group committee work, as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience working in an operating room support function (i.e. Perioperative Assistant, Nursing or Medical Assistant) with a demonstrated knowledge of OR policies and procedures
• Ability to communicate effectively with members of surgical and perioperative materials teams
• Ability to push, pull, lift and carry medium to heavy weights throughout the day, including equipment and patients

Core Skills

• Demonstrates reliability, resilience, and attention to detail in a fast-paced surgical environment.
• Maintains consistency and accuracy while performing repetitive or time-sensitive tasks.
• Takes ownership of responsibilities and holds self and others accountable to OR standards and protocols.
• Collaborate effectively with surgeons, nurses, surgical technologists, and support staff to ensure smooth case flow.
• Continuously looking for opportunities to improve efficiency, safety, and supply readiness.

Additional Information

• Location: 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY
• Schedule: Five 8-hour shifts 1:00pm - 9:00pm, Monday–Friday, with weekend and holiday rotation.
• Reports to: Supervisor, Perioperative Support Services

Helpful Links

• Compensation Philosophy
• Benefits

Pay Range: $24.05 - $36.21FSLA Status: Non-Exempt

Closing

At MSK, we believe in fair, competitive pay that reflects your job, experience, and skills.

MSK is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruiting and employment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran status or any other factor which cannot lawfully be used as a basis for an employment decision.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.