Green Card Surgical First Assistant Jobs
Surgical First Assistant roles qualify for EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through PERM labor certification, which requires your employer to document that no qualified U.S. worker is available. Hospitals, surgical centers, and health systems regularly sponsor foreign-trained first assistants, particularly those holding CST or CSFA credentials plus a qualifying degree.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Surgical First Assistant/UKHC
Requisition Number: RE54774
Working Title: Certified First Assistant
Department Name: H6300:Perioperative Services
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 12
Salary Range: $30.00-53.67/hour
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) certificate or High School Diploma
Required Related Experience
1 yr
Required License/Registration/Certification
Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) certified by the KY Medical Board of Licensure or eligible, or Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) certified by the KY Medical Board of Licensure or eligible
Physical Requirements
The essential functions for include the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull 50-100 pounds on a daily basis; as well as stand, walk and sit for long periods of time. The conditions of work may involve exposure to communicable diseases, the hazards of radiation, and injury from intractable patients or sharp instruments.
Shift
This position is 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Job Summary
The CFA (Certified First Assistant) means providing aid under direct supervision, in exposure, hemostasis, closure and other intraoperative technical functions that assist a physician performing a safe operation with optimal results for the patients. Primary responsibilities are assisting in robotic procedures with other assisting and scrubbing duties as assigned. Teamwork with case facilitation are key responsibilities as well.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Previous experience in an OR setting; surgical technician experience highly preferred for this position.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
CAAHEP accredited program certificate or Associate’s Degree – Surgical Assistant program
Deadline to Apply: 06/17/2026
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Job Title: Surgical First Assistant/UKHC
Requisition Number: RE54774
Working Title: Certified First Assistant
Department Name: H6300:Perioperative Services
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 12
Salary Range: $30.00-53.67/hour
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) certificate or High School Diploma
Required Related Experience
1 yr
Required License/Registration/Certification
Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) certified by the KY Medical Board of Licensure or eligible, or Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) certified by the KY Medical Board of Licensure or eligible
Physical Requirements
The essential functions for include the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull 50-100 pounds on a daily basis; as well as stand, walk and sit for long periods of time. The conditions of work may involve exposure to communicable diseases, the hazards of radiation, and injury from intractable patients or sharp instruments.
Shift
This position is 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Job Summary
The CFA (Certified First Assistant) means providing aid under direct supervision, in exposure, hemostasis, closure and other intraoperative technical functions that assist a physician performing a safe operation with optimal results for the patients. Primary responsibilities are assisting in robotic procedures with other assisting and scrubbing duties as assigned. Teamwork with case facilitation are key responsibilities as well.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Previous experience in an OR setting; surgical technician experience highly preferred for this position.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
CAAHEP accredited program certificate or Associate’s Degree – Surgical Assistant program
Deadline to Apply: 06/17/2026
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as a Surgical First Assistant
Verify your credentials meet EB-2 requirements
EB-2 eligibility for Surgical First Assistants hinges on holding an advanced degree or its equivalent. A bachelor's degree plus five or more years of progressive scrub and first-assisting experience can satisfy USCIS's equivalency standard for EB-2 classification.
Target surgical facilities with PERM filing history
Large hospital systems and multi-site surgical groups are far more likely to have established PERM workflows than independent outpatient centers. Search by employer type first, then confirm whether their HR or legal team has handled EB-3 sponsorship for clinical support staff before.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsoring employers
Filter by Surgical First Assistant roles with green card sponsorship history using Migrate Mate. It surfaces employers who have filed PERM applications for this occupation, cutting the prospecting time most internationally trained first assistants spend on unverified job listings.
Benchmark your offered wage against OFLC prevailing rates
Before signing an offer, run the job title and location through OFLC Wage Search. Your employer must pay at least the prevailing wage level tied to the PERM application, and a wage below Level II or III can flag the filing if your duties reflect a more senior role.
Ask employers about concurrent I-140 and adjustment filing
If your priority date is current when the I-140 is approved, you and your employer can file the I-485 adjustment of status concurrently, reducing total wait time. Confirm whether the hiring facility's immigration counsel is familiar with this option for EB-3 clinical roles.
Document all non-U.S. surgical experience for the PERM audit file
PERM audits often request proof that the foreign worker's qualifications match the job requirements listed in the labor certification. Collect letters from prior employers, case logs, and CSFA or national board certificates now, before the recruitment period begins.
Green Card Surgical First Assistant: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Surgical First Assistant role qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
Both categories are possible depending on your credentials. EB-3 applies when the role requires a bachelor's degree or at least two years of specialized training, which most Surgical First Assistant positions meet. EB-2 applies if you hold an advanced degree or can document the equivalent through substantial progressive experience. Your employer's counsel determines which classification fits the specific job description filed in the PERM application.
How does green card sponsorship through PERM differ from H-1B for Surgical First Assistants?
The PERM and I-140 route leads to permanent residency rather than a temporary work authorization period, so there's no renewal cycle or lottery concern at the EB-3 level for most nationalities. H-1B visa requires annual cap registration and a lottery selection, while PERM-based EB-3 sponsorship is employer-initiated, uncapped for the petition itself, and converts your status to lawful permanent resident once the I-485 or immigrant visa is approved. The tradeoff is a longer total timeline, often two to four years or more.
What does the PERM recruitment process look like for a Surgical First Assistant position?
The employer must conduct DOL-mandated recruitment, including newspaper advertisements, an internal job posting, and additional steps such as job fairs or online postings, to demonstrate no qualified U.S. worker applied for the role. The recruitment window is typically 30 to 180 days before the PERM filing date. You cannot participate in or influence that recruitment process. Once the labor certification is approved, your employer files the I-140 immigrant petition with USCIS.
How can I find Surgical First Assistant jobs that offer green card sponsorship?
Most standard job listings don't disclose PERM sponsorship history, which makes it difficult to identify willing employers through generic searches. Migrate Mate is built specifically for this search, surfacing employers with documented green card filing history for clinical and surgical support roles so you can target outreach toward facilities that have already navigated the PERM process.
Can a Surgical First Assistant self-petition for a green card without employer sponsorship?
Standard EB-2 and EB-3 sponsorship requires an employer to initiate the PERM process on your behalf. Self-petition is only available under EB-2 National Interest Waiver, which requires demonstrating that your work benefits the United States to a degree that justifies waiving the labor certification requirement. That standard is rarely met by clinical support roles unless the candidate has published research or holds a leadership position advancing a national health priority.