How To Become A Surgical First Assistant: What It Is and Career Path

What is a surgical first assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A surgical first assistant is a highly skilled healthcare professional who works alongside a surgeon to provide support and assistance. They prepare the operating room, ensure equipment functions, and sterilize instruments. They also assist surgeons with positioning patients, controlling bleeding, suturing incisions, and monitoring vital signs. Additionally, they may document procedures and communicate with the surgical team. A surgical first assistant requires knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and surgical techniques, as well as communication and problem-solving.

ScoreSurgical First AssistantUS Average

Salary

4.8

Avg. Salary $61,480

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.5

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.71%

Asian 9.00%

Black or African American 10.60%

Hispanic or Latino 18.18%

Unknown 5.16%

White 56.34%

Gender

female 56.41%

male 43.59%

Age - 43

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 - 43

Stress level

8.5

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.3

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a surgical first assistant?

Pros

Highly respected and valued role in the surgical team
Opportunity for career advancement
Job security and stability
Chance to work with advanced technology and equipment
Ability to work in various surgical specialties

Cons

Exposure to potential health hazards, such as infectious diseases
Risk of injury from sharp instruments or equipment
Need to be available for on-call shifts and emergency surgeries
Limited opportunities for breaks or downtime during surgeries
Emotional toll of working with critically ill or injured patients

Key steps to become a surgical first assistant

Explore surgical first assistant education requirements

Most common surgical first assistant degrees

Associate

30.8 %

Bachelor's

27.3 %

Master's

14.2 %

Start to develop specific surgical first assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	14.41%
Visualization	8.57%
Patient Care	7.02%
Surgical Procedures	6.67%
Surgical Technologist	6.13%

Research surgical first assistant duties and responsibilities

Manage floor, ICU and rehab in-patients as well as respond to ER and hospital consultation.
Appropriate placement and securing of retractors.
Insert and remove Foley urinary bladder catheter.
Comply with all HIPAA rules and regulations.

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