How To Become An Assistant-At-Surgery: What It Is and Career Path

What is an assistant-at-surgery and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

An assistant-at-surgery is the surgeon's reliable right hand inside the operation room. They work beside surgeons to provide aid during surgical operations and procedures.

Their job starts even before the surgery itself. The assistant at-surgery sets up the operation room and prepares the patient's chart and documentation. They also sterilize and organize surgical tools, ensuring that they are clean and safe to use.

During surgeries, they keep an eye on electronic equipment to monitor and report the status of the patient's vital signs. And as the procedure continues, they may also help administer injections, stitch up wounds, and take part in patient resuscitation efforts.

To be an efficient assistant-at-surgery, they need to be attentive, dedicated, and cooperative. Typically, they render 40 hours in a workweek and cover long shifts. They may also report to work on holidays and weekends.

To pursue a career as an assistant-at-surgery, candidates must hold an associate degree in surgical technology along with the necessary certification. They ascend to this position from spending at least three years in the operating room as registered nurses, technicians, or physician assistants.

ScoreAssistant-At-SurgeryUS Average

Salary

6.4

Avg. Salary $81,630

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.9

Growth rate 16%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.82%

Asian 9.65%

Black or African American 9.96%

Hispanic or Latino 23.27%

Unknown 4.72%

White 51.57%

Gender

female 74.55%

male 25.45%

Age - 35

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 35

Stress level

7.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.4

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.6

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an assistant-at-surgery

Explore assistant-at-surgery education requirements

Most common assistant-at-surgery degrees

Bachelor's

30.1 %

Associate

24.0 %

High School Diploma

12.8 %

Start to develop specific assistant-at-surgery skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	39.05%
Surgical Procedures	6.97%
HIPAA	4.03%
CPR	3.70%
Direct Patient Care	3.61%

Complete relevant assistant-at-surgery training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New assistants-at surgery learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an assistant-at-surgery based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real assistant-at-surgery resumes.

Research assistant-at-surgery duties and responsibilities

Submit requests for authorization for surgical procedures and office appointments from patients' insurance carriers.
Perform EKGs and phlebotomy as needed.
Assist doctors with procedures, patient triage/telephone triage.
Participate in hospital triage with medical and surgical cases.

Prepare your assistant-at-surgery resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your assistant-at-surgery resume.

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