Education level
Job area
Your role as an operating theatre technician
As an operating theatre technician, you’ll support surgery and patient care in hospitals.
This includes:
- setting up operating theatres and equipment before surgery
- supporting surgeons, nurses and anaesthetists during surgery
- cleaning, restocking and resetting theatres after surgery
- looking after patients in recovery after surgery
- following safety, infection control standards and procedures.
We have full time, part time and casual roles, and some include shift work.
What your day might look like
You’ll start your shift by setting up the operating theatre. This includes checking equipment, preparing surgical tools and making sure the room is clean and ready.
During the day, you’ll support the surgical team during operations. You may pass equipment, change lighting, or help move patients. After surgery you’ll clean the theatre, restock supplies and get everything ready for the next procedure.
You’ll work as part of a team with nurses, doctors and other hospital staff.
Most roles are in hospitals. You might work in emergency and operating theatres for booked procedures, such as day and elective surgery.
Learn more about operating theatre technicians on the Your Careers site.
Qualifications
To work as an operating theatre technician, you’ll need one of the following:
- Certificate III or IV in Health Services Assistance
- Certificate III or IV in Operating Theatre Technical Support.
Pay and benefits
Your pay rate and benefits will depend on your role, experience and where you work.
We also offer:
- regular wage increases
- a superannuation rate of 12.75%
- a supportive workplace with flexible working arrangements
- several types of leave
- salary packaging.
If you're moving to start a new job with us, you may be able to get help with moving and travel costs.
Rural and remote opportunities
Some regional hospitals may offer opportunities, where you’ll support a wider range of procedures and work with smaller surgical teams.
Learn more about our rural and remote opportunities.
Professional growth
You’ll have access to learning and development throughout your career.
This may include:
- on the job training
- learning new equipment and procedures
- working with experienced theatre staff.
With experience and further study, you may move into other clinical support or health roles.
Career paths
Doing more study when you’re an operating theatre technician can lead to other roles.
- Enrolled nurse
- Anaesthetic technician
- Medical laboratory technician
If you plan to do more study, ask your training provider if your past studies can count towards a higher qualification.