Surgical First Assistant Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Surgical First Assistant

Best Schools to become a Surgical First Assistant in U.S. 2024

Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting

Nashville, TN

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:N/A
Total Enrollment:791

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, AZ

In-State Tuition:$10,978
Out-of-State Tuition:$29,952
Admission Rate:90%
Graduation Rate:67%
Total Enrollment:80,065

Miami University-Oxford

Oxford, OH

In-State Tuition:$13,678
Out-of-State Tuition:$34,171
Admission Rate:88%
Graduation Rate:81%
Total Enrollment:19,107

Madisonville Community College

Madisonville, KY

In-State Tuition:$4,368
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,288
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:57%
Total Enrollment:3,493

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN

In-State Tuition:$4,487
Out-of-State Tuition:$8,777
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:31%
Total Enrollment:89,705

Southern Technical College

Fort Myers, FL

In-State Tuition:$14,184
Out-of-State Tuition:$14,184
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:56%
Total Enrollment:578
Surgical First Assistant Job Description:
  • Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel.
  • May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Surgical First Assistant

Job Duties for Surgical First Assistants

  • Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.

  • Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.

  • Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing.

Technologies and Skills Used by Surgical First Assistants

Electronic mail software

  • Email software

Graphics or photo imaging software

  • Graphics software

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Basic Skills

  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Surgical First Assistant

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Surgical First Assistant

FAQs About Becoming a Surgical First Assistant