Surgical Assistant - Circulator

Title: Surgical Assistant - Circulator
Practice: Midlands Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Primarily Location: Julian Place (Columbia, SC) – will rotate to the other locations as needed
Office Hours: 

Position Purpose:

The Circulator supports the surgical team by coordinating all aspects of patient care and surgical preparation to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality procedures. This role is responsible for preparing surgical rooms, assisting with patient flow, monitoring vitals, maintaining sterile technique, and ensuring all instruments, supplies, and documentation are accurate and ready for use. The Circulator plays a vital role in maintaining compliance with OSHA, HIPAA, and infection control standards while fostering a positive and professional experience for every patient.

Essential Functions

• Seating, prepping, recovering and releasing patients for/from surgery
• Setting up rooms and trays for surgery
• Taking panoramic and periapical X-rays & 3D scans
• Take impressions/intra oral scans
• Accurately completely operative report
• Making and stocking clinical supplies
• Explaining post-operative care
• Sterilization of surgical equipment
• Checking all documents for accuracy
• Ensure solid communication between patient and doctor
• Filling in for the doctor's surgical assistants
• Monitoring vitals during surgery
• Strict adherence to all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and OSHA regulations/procedures
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent — required
• CPR/BLS certification — required
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) — preferred; may be required depending on practice protocols
• Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) or Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) preferred
• Radiology certification
• Infection control and OSHA training — required and must be maintained per regulatory standards

Experience:

• Minimum of 1–2 years of experience in a surgical, dental, or oral surgery clinical setting preferred.
• Experience assisting with pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative patient care.
• Proficiency in maintaining sterile fields and understanding aseptic techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to set up and turn over surgical rooms, including preparation and sterilization of instruments and trays.
• Experience in monitoring patient vitals during sedation or anesthesia and recognizing changes in patient condition.
• Familiarity with taking dental radiographs (panoramic, periapical, and 3D scans) and operating digital imaging systems.
• Prior experience coordinating with surgeons, surgical assistants, and recovery staff to ensure efficient surgical flow.
• Strong understanding of OSHA, HIPAA, and infection control protocols.
• Experience with electronic health records (EHR) systems and accurate documentation of operative reports preferred.

Performance Requirements:

• Maintain compliance with OSHA, HIPAA, and infection control standards.
• Prepare and maintain surgical rooms, instruments, and supplies efficiently.
• Accurately document operative reports and patient information.
• Communicate professionally and compassionately with patients and team members.
• Monitor vitals and anticipate provider needs during procedures.
• Adapt to various clinical roles and support team operations as needed.
• Stay organized and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Uphold company policies, safety standards, and patient care protocols.

• We offer Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans to our full-time employees.
• Two out of the three medical plans offered include Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility.
• Company-paid Life, AD&D and Long-Term Disability coverage.
• Additional Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance for you and your family!
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability Insurance available to you as well
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) offered.
• Immediately begin saving for retirement through our 401(k) starting with very first paycheck!
• Employer 401(k) contribution and Profit Sharing after six months of employment
• PTO and 8 Paid holidays for fulltime employees!

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work.  This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.  OPS’s management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.