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Surgical Assistant

Also called: CSFA (Certified Surgical First Assistant), RNFA (Registered Nurse First Assistant), Surgical First Assistant, Surgical Technician (Surgical Tech)

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons.

No four-year degree needed Bright outlook Healthcare
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Median pay
$66,800/yr
Typical range
$39,690 – $107,610
Outlook
Bright outlook

What does a Surgical Assistant do?

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. May, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, and apply dressings to surgical site.

  • Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
  • Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
  • Pass instruments or supplies to surgeon during procedure.

How to become a Surgical Assistant

Training: A certificate after high school or an associate's degree or other 2-year degree. Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Skills you'll use

Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questionsTalking to othersNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve itChanging what is done based on other people's actionsLooking for ways to help people

Is it a fit for you?

  • Perseverance
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Self-Control
  • Cooperation
  • Cautiousness

Tools and technology

Electronic medical record EMR softwareMEDITECH softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Excel

Questions people ask

How much does a Surgical Assistant make?

About $66,800 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $39,690 and $107,610. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.

How long does it take to become a Surgical Assistant?

Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Do you need a college degree to be a Surgical Assistant?

No four-year degree is needed. A certificate after high school or an associate's degree or other 2-year degree.

Is Surgical Assistant a good career to get into?

O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.

Related careers

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National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

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