Published December 2, 2025 by Anthony Rodriguez, MPH. Development Manager.
If you’re training to become a Sterile Processing Technician (SPD), EKG Technician, or Surgical Technologist, one of the most important questions you’ll eventually face is:
“What do hospitals in my city really look for when hiring?”
At Altamont Healthcare, our programs in Stockton and Bakersfield, California, are designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world employment. We partner with local hospitals and clinics — giving us firsthand insight into how employers choose the best candidates.
In this post, we’ll share exactly what Central California hospitals prioritize when hiring technicians, what skills and credentials matter most, and what you can do right now to stand out from other applicants.
1. The Growing Need for Healthcare Technicians in the Central Valley
Healthcare staffing shortages remain a major issue across California, and the Central Valley is no exception.
- According to the California Hospital Association, hospitals in San Joaquin and Kern Counties report persistent vacancies in technical and support roles — especially in sterile processing, cardiac monitoring, and surgical assisting.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects steady growth for these fields through 2032:
- Surgical Technologists: +7%
- Cardiovascular & EKG Technicians: +5%
- Medical Equipment Preparers (SPD Techs): +6%
With a population of nearly 1.7 million between Stockton and Bakersfield metros, local hospitals like Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, Adventist Health, and Kern Medical are constantly recruiting new talent to meet rising healthcare demand.
Our Insight: Many of our SPD and EKG graduates receive job offers directly from hospitals where they completed their externships — because those facilities witnessed their skills, professionalism, and reliability firsthand. We even recommend searching for jobs while waiting for your externship, clinical hours are not a hard requirement for these positions.
2. What Local Hospitals Really Look For
A. Certification and Credentialing
Certification is the first filter in most hiring systems.
- SPD Technicians: Hospitals prefer candidates certified by CBSPD or IAHCSMM.
- EKG Technicians: The NCCT National EKG Certification is often required in California.
- Surgical Technologists: Employers seek graduates from accredited programs and prefer those who have passed the TS-C (NCCT) or CST (NBSTSA) exams.
Employers often prioritize candidates who already hold or are eligible to test for certification — showing immediate job readiness. Graduates of the SPD Program, EKG Program, and TS-C Program are ready eligible for their certification exams immediately after graduation.
B. Clinical / Externship Experience
Hands-on experience can make or break your application.
Facilities in Stockton and Bakersfield value candidates who already understand:
- Sterilization and infection control procedures (SPD)
- Proper EKG lead placement and rhythm interpretation (EKG)
- Operating room aseptic techniques and teamwork under pressure (TS-C)
Altamont Healthcare’s externship partnerships allow students to gain real clinical experience — often in the same hospitals that later hire them. Our externs undergo pre-placement training to refresh their knowledge, refine professional skills, and assess overall externship readiness.
Learn more about our Externship Program.
C. Soft Skills and Professionalism
Technical skill isn’t enough. Supervisors from our partner hospitals frequently emphasize:
- Punctuality & Reliability — arriving on time every day is a top priority.
- Teamwork & Communication — the OR and cardiac units are high-stakes environments that depend on collaboration.
- Adaptability — shifts and procedures vary daily; quick learners are invaluable.
- Attention to Detail — infection control depends on precise work.
Altamont Healthcare integrates soft-skill training into our curriculum so graduates are ready for real-world expectations.
D. Understanding of California’s Compliance & Safety Standards
California’s healthcare facilities operate under strict regulations enforced by:
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
- The Joint Commission (TJC)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Employers prefer candidates who already understand these compliance frameworks — reducing their training burden.
3. What Makes a Candidate Stand Out in Stockton & Bakersfield
Here’s what our employer partners tell us sets applicants apart:
| Standout Quality | Why It Matters | How to Demonstrate It |
| Certification in hand | Validates subject proficiency and demonstrates work readiness | Have a copy of your passed test results ready to share |
| Externship in a local facility | Shows you know the standard workflows and procedures | Complete externship with Bakersfield/Stockton partners |
| Excellent attendance | Demonstrates reliability to externship preceptors | Maintain strong attendance record |
| Positive references | HR values feedback from instructors | Ask your Altamont instructor for a professional reference |
| Strong infection control knowledge | Non-negotiable in California hospitals | Review SPD and OSHA safety modules |
| Good communication under pressure | OR and cardiac techs work in high-stress settings | Practice mock scenarios with classmates |
4. Local Employers Hiring Altamont Graduates
Based on our alumni reports and job board reviews, recent graduates have found opportunities at:
- Kaiser Permanente (Stockton & Bakersfield)
- Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center (Stockton)
- Adventist Health (Bakersfield & Stockton)
- Kern Medical Center (Bakersfield)
- San Joaquin General Hospital (French Camp)
Our graduates have found work all over the country, from coast to coast. There is consistent job availability across the nation due to the continuous growth of the healthcare industry.
5. Expert Tips to Secure Your First Job
- Apply within 2 weeks of certification. Recruiters prioritize recent graduates.
- Attend local hospital career fairs — many hire directly on site.
- Leverage your externship supervisor’s recommendation.
- Highlight your familiarity with California compliance standards in your resume.
- Stay open to per-diem or part-time work — many full-time roles start that way.
6. How Altamont Healthcare Supports You Beyond Graduation
At Altamont Healthcare, we go beyond certification:
- Career guidance and job placement support in Stockton and Bakersfield
- Instructor mentorship from seasoned hospital professionals
- Flexible class schedules for working students
- Hands-on training with real hospital equipment
Our graduates don’t just earn credentials — they build careers in the hospitals and communities they call home.
Conclusion
Hospitals in Stockton and Bakersfield are hiring — but they’re hiring selectively. They want professionals who are certified, trained, and dependable.
That’s exactly the kind of graduate Altamont Healthcare produces.
If you’re serious about building a stable, high-demand healthcare career right here in California’s Central Valley, the best time to start is today.
