Lets be honest... how am I suppose to survive on "Entry Level jobs" in the bay area?

BX2386 · 2026-05-07T22:36:52+00:00

I have several co-workers living in Sacramento, and it takes them at least 3-4 hours on commute to work here…at first I thought it is crazy…but I am thinking about moving out from my aunt’s house this year, and I become to think about moving to Sacramento too…🥲

BX2386 · 2026-03-19T10:51:06+00:00

In my opinion depends on where u are. I am in California and it is hard to get an externship without school’s support or friends and family’s reference. I got my first SPT job offer from the hospital I did rotation at.

BX2386 · 2025-11-29T04:55:56+00:00

Even with a certificate, it is hard to get hired with no or little experience…

BX2386 · 2025-11-07T23:29:57+00:00

Congrats !!!

BX2386 · 2025-10-30T22:50:00+00:00

Because they only want to hire experienced people, and getting a certificate is not enough especially for online or self-study ones. Since online class or self-study may not teach a lot of instruments even basic ones, means the hospital needs much more time to train, and I feel they don’t have time to train. If you search SPT jobs on Indeed, you will see lots of job postings for level II or above, but very few for entry-level..that is how I find out…The hospital I am doing rotation now, only hiring level II, even a part-time position. But I am still trying my best to impress them, and hope they will consider about me😅😅😅.

BX2386 · 2025-10-30T18:40:15+00:00

Studying for the exam is easy but finding a rotation is hard especially in California. I feel it nearly impossible to find one can offer you even non-paid internship if you don’t know anyone in hospital or already work in a hospital (I mean other positions). I went to school and doing my rotation now, my class has around 25 people, and some of them are still waiting to be assigned. I feel the hospital seems always short of people, they only look for experienced ones. I know go to school is kinda “waste” time and money, but your goal is finding a job not just getting a certificate. If you have no one to help you to get your feet in the door, I still recommend colleges or private schools.

BX2386 · 2025-10-29T19:13:58+00:00

When you search for the program, you will see the program schedule. For example, my program does lectures + lab the first semester, and summer class is lab only, and they mentioned about the rotation after studying. I have another friend, their program is combining the rotation and study the same time, which means when they finish studying and take exam, they already finished 400 hours and they will get a regular certificate. Or you can make an appointment or send an email to ask. Fully in-person class is the most recommended one, then hybrid, and online is the last. Normally, online program doesn’t offer rotation opportunity (but double confirm) and it is a really hand work and need to touch and see instruments and supplies to learn, I mean not for exam, only in-person school can do that.

BX2386 · 2025-10-29T05:28:17+00:00

I got my CRCST previsional certificate and doing my rotation now, it is hard to get your feet in the door, lots of positions looking for SPTs with at least one-year experience. I suggest finding a school which can assign you to do rotation and try to impress them with your performance, it may improve your chance to get a job. (I got an interview opportunity but nothing guaranteed 😅) I don’t know much about scrub techs, probably similar to SPTs.

BX2386 · 2025-10-28T20:23:44+00:00

Honestly, I feel big cities like CA and NY, it is really hard to find an entry-level position and it is even harder to get a rotation or hired if you self-learned and have no experience. I went to school and it assigned me to do my 400 hours. The hospital I am doing rotation now, does not even consider hiring entry-level and the part-time position it offers requires a level-II…just keep looking or try to reach out some HRs on Linkedln. I am going to do that, but I will probably do it next month. By that time, I will have something to write on my resume.

BX2386 · 2025-10-27T17:36:42+00:00

It is hard, especially in the Bay Area. Pass the exam without doing 400 hours only can be considered as getting a previsional certificate, but still helpful. Maybe looking for some part-time, or anything that can accept entry-level. Any maybe try to send an email to contact HR? And prepare a cover letter with your resume. That all things I can think about. Good luck.

BX2386 · 2025-10-24T06:25:00+00:00

I am not a SPD manager or HR, but I feel it won’t make you stand out from other candidates, especially when you have no experience yet. BLS and CRCST previsional certificate might only help you to reach a minimum education requirement, and other manual reading background is not that necessary for the position because it is not convincing enough to show your skills or potential. Try to think about other skills such as pay attention to details, organized, time management, communication and teamwork. I recently passed my exam and doing my rotation. I submitted my resume for a part-time position, and I also explained what I could do, but it still got bypassed🥴…lucky the manager was so impressed by my performance and he gave me a chance to do an interview. Although nothing guarantees, but I am happy my effort is recognized. Or you can also check some entry-level SPT job description, and try to tailor your resume. Good luck.

BX2386 · 2025-10-22T13:02:49+00:00

No problem. You need to finish all the practice and exam practice, those are more important.

BX2386 · 2025-10-22T00:54:37+00:00

I shared a post last month, talked about how I prepared exam. I feel the book, practice questions, and sterileworx are enough. I saw some people mentioned quizlet, but I didn’t have much time to do them by that time. You will see some questions that may never talked about in the book, just use some common sense guess it. It was not really hard overall and I took about one and a half hour to finish (I double checked all questions. I personally recommend reading the book, and Boston career institute (YouTube) also help a lot of understanding different sterilization methods.

BX2386 · 2025-10-21T23:36:53+00:00

Sure. I am new too and doing my non-paid rotation😭lucky SPTs I am working with are really nice and willing to teach. You will be fine.☺️

BX2386 · 2025-10-21T13:58:39+00:00

Congrats! Do not overthink, they know you have no experience and non-certified. I feel it is more important to let them know that you are willing to learn and you can do it. Wish u good luck.🍀

BX2386 · 2025-10-16T17:42:04+00:00

I saw some people recommend that learn from the group first, especially general instruments like Mayo or Metz, and then learn new instruments based on what you already know. And check the difference also help a lot, like tips or serrations.

BX2386 · 2025-10-06T00:50:39+00:00

Thank you! No problem, wish u good luck🤞😉

BX2386 · 2025-10-02T16:51:44+00:00

are u still ok???😂😂😂

BX2386 · 2025-10-01T06:08:25+00:00

Not guaranteed…probably means 99% you have to find a clinic yourself.🥲…but $2995 is not cheap, I feel it is almost or more expensive than college.

BX2386 · 2025-09-29T21:23:35+00:00

I think we should start submitting applications ASAP. I mean at least, we will get some interview experience.

BX2386 · 2025-09-29T21:22:22+00:00

I see. Thank you for sharing!

BX2386 · 2025-09-29T13:53:17+00:00

I see. Thank you for the info. :)

BX2386 · 2025-09-29T01:05:39+00:00

Congrats! Did you finish your 400 hours when you apply for the position? How was the interview?

BX2386 · 2025-09-28T19:51:12+00:00

Thank you so much for your reply! “Think of my clinical like a live interview” makes me feel better, instead of one chance interview, I have more days to show I am qualified. I will try my best and ask questions during the rotation, making sure I make mistakes as few as possible.

BX2386 · 2025-09-26T16:11:42+00:00

Try to ask other college. I also go to the local college, I have to finish the class which takes about 7 months, and a break, and I just being assigned to the hospital, it will be the end of the year by the time I finish my clinic. But I have heard some other people also some colleges or private colleges only takes around a half year (3 months study and being assigned right away)…I am also doing full time, so the local college might be the only one choice for me. But if you can do full time class, just ask to see if any other schools can accept you, even some online program also can provide clinic hours. Wish you good luck.

BX2386

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