Surgical Assistants

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Other Specialist/Technologist Healthcare Taxonomy Code 246ZC0007X

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As of today, these are the total numbers of Surgical Assistants nationwide and excluded from federally funded healthcare programs, including Medicaid, TRICARE, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

What do Surgical Assistants do?

Surgical assistants, also known as surgical first assistants, work directly with surgeons to provide hands-on assistance during operations, such as making incisions and closing wounds. 

To become a surgical assistant, you typically need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a health-related field and specific coursework in anatomy and science. 

Requirements also include either vocational training or a one-to-two-year training program, followed by professional certification, and they generally have a good salary, with the average in California around $56,374 annually.  

What they do

• Directly assists the surgeon during operations by performing tasks like making incisions, placing retractors, and assisting with wound closure. 
• Helps with hemostasis (stopping bleeding) by clamping, ligating, or cauterizing vessels. 
• Manages tissue manipulation, suctioning, and other intraoperative needs. 
• Works collaboratively with the surgical team and must have excellent decision-making, organizational, and physical stamina skills. 

Education and training

Education: An associate’s degree in an allied health field or a bachelor’s degree in a health-related science is required. 

Coursework: Specific coursework in subjects such as human anatomy, basic sciences, and microbiology is required. 

Training: A one- to two-year training program in surgical assisting is typically required. These programs are often accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). 

Certification and salary

Certification: Certification is required and must be renewed every two years. 

Salary: Varies by location and experience. For example, the average annual wage for a surgical assistant in California is approximately $56,374, or about $27 per hour. 

Surgical Assistant vs. Surgical Technologist

Surgical technologists: primarily prepare the operating room, manage equipment, and hand instruments to the surgeon and first assistant. 

While both work in the operating room, their roles are distinct. 

Surgical assistants (or first assistants) work directly with the surgeon on the patient, performing tasks like suturing and making incisions. 

Frequently Asked Questions