H-1B Visa Surgical First Assistant Jobs
Surgical First Assistant roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations because they require a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field. Most sponsoring employers are large health systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and academic medical centers that file LCAs through DOL before submitting the I-129 petition to USCIS.
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Summary:
As defined by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), surgical assistants provide aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions that help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. In addition to intraoperative duties, the surgical assistant also performs preoperative and postoperative duties to better facilitate proper patient care. The surgical assistant performs these functions under the direction and supervision of the surgeon and in accordance with hospital policy and appropriate laws and regulations.
Responsibilities:
- Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
- The surgical assistant is responsible for assisting the surgeon under direct and indirect supervision throughout preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative duties and procedures at all times.
- The surgical assistant facilitates the safe positioning of the patient according to the surgeon's preference, patient's anatomical and physiological limits, and surgical procedure to be performed. A preoperative introduction visit may be done to assess the surgical site to better aid in positioning. Assists circulator and anesthesia provider in preparation of the patient to include but not limited to: Foley catheter placement, tourniquet application, placement of intravenous catheters, cricoid pressure application, and other procedures as needed.
- The surgical assistant performs specific tasks according to individual surgeon preference utilizing appropriate techniques including, but not limited to: incision and layered closure of surgical sites, providing exposure, achieving hemostasis by means of injection, manual, and topical methods, and application of appropriate energy sources, manipulation and dissection/removal of tissues, aids in implanting, securing, and/or removal of devices and drains, and applying appropriate dressing material specific to procedure.
- The surgical assistant applies any other specific dressing material such as splints or casts. Assesses skin integrity, assists in transfer of the patient, and follows the patient to recovery if needed or directed by surgeon.
- The surgical assistant who has appropriate training also performs under surgeon supervision other procedures including but not limited to: vein and graft harvesting, and graft and implant preparation.
- The surgical assistant performs additional duties as delegated by the surgeon in cooperation with state and local policy.
Job Requirements:
Education/Skills
- High School Diploma or equivalent is required
- Graduation from an accredited Surgical First Assist Program, State Board accredited Vocational School of Nursing, or Graduate of School of Surgical technology required
Experience
- 2 years of Surgical Tech experience preferred
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
- BLS required
- Certified Surgical Technologist First Assistant required
- ACLS preferred
Work Schedule:
4 Days - 10 Hours
Work Type:
Full Time
Description
Summary:
As defined by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), surgical assistants provide aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions that help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. In addition to intraoperative duties, the surgical assistant also performs preoperative and postoperative duties to better facilitate proper patient care. The surgical assistant performs these functions under the direction and supervision of the surgeon and in accordance with hospital policy and appropriate laws and regulations.
Responsibilities:
- Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
- The surgical assistant is responsible for assisting the surgeon under direct and indirect supervision throughout preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative duties and procedures at all times.
- The surgical assistant facilitates the safe positioning of the patient according to the surgeon's preference, patient's anatomical and physiological limits, and surgical procedure to be performed. A preoperative introduction visit may be done to assess the surgical site to better aid in positioning. Assists circulator and anesthesia provider in preparation of the patient to include but not limited to: Foley catheter placement, tourniquet application, placement of intravenous catheters, cricoid pressure application, and other procedures as needed.
- The surgical assistant performs specific tasks according to individual surgeon preference utilizing appropriate techniques including, but not limited to: incision and layered closure of surgical sites, providing exposure, achieving hemostasis by means of injection, manual, and topical methods, and application of appropriate energy sources, manipulation and dissection/removal of tissues, aids in implanting, securing, and/or removal of devices and drains, and applying appropriate dressing material specific to procedure.
- The surgical assistant applies any other specific dressing material such as splints or casts. Assesses skin integrity, assists in transfer of the patient, and follows the patient to recovery if needed or directed by surgeon.
- The surgical assistant who has appropriate training also performs under surgeon supervision other procedures including but not limited to: vein and graft harvesting, and graft and implant preparation.
- The surgical assistant performs additional duties as delegated by the surgeon in cooperation with state and local policy.
Job Requirements:
Education/Skills
- High School Diploma or equivalent is required
- Graduation from an accredited Surgical First Assist Program, State Board accredited Vocational School of Nursing, or Graduate of School of Surgical technology required
Experience
- 2 years of Surgical Tech experience preferred
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
- BLS required
- Certified Surgical Technologist First Assistant required
- ACLS preferred
Work Schedule:
4 Days - 10 Hours
Work Type:
Full Time
See all 50+ H-1B Visa Surgical First Assistant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Surgical First Assistant
Verify your credential meets specialty occupation
USCIS requires a directly related bachelor's degree or higher. A Certified First Assistant credential paired with a relevant degree strengthens your case. If your degree field is nursing or surgical technology, document how it directly supports the Surgical First Assistant role.
Target health systems with existing LCA history
Large hospital networks and ambulatory surgery centers file LCAs regularly for allied surgical roles. Employers with prior LCA filings for Surgical First Assistants have already confirmed the role meets prevailing wage and specialty occupation standards, reducing your petition risk.
Search H-1B employer data on Migrate Mate
Filter by surgical or perioperative roles to find employers with verified H-1B filing history for Surgical First Assistants. Migrate Mate pulls DOL LCA disclosure data so you can confirm an employer has sponsored this role before applying.
Confirm prevailing wage level before accepting offers
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for SOC code 29-9093 in your target metro area. Your offered wage must meet or exceed the Level I-IV threshold the employer certifies on the LCA, which affects both compliance and your negotiating position.
Ask employers about cap-exempt filing options
If your target employer is a nonprofit hospital affiliated with a university or a government research facility, they may qualify as cap-exempt. Cap-exempt petitions can be filed at any time without waiting for the annual April lottery window.
Start the LCA process before your OPT or grace period ends
Your employer must get DOL LCA certification before USCIS can receive the I-129 petition. DOL targets a seven-business-day certification window, but build in buffer time. Missing the October 1 start date means waiting another full year under the cap.
H-1B Visa Surgical First Assistant: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Surgical First Assistant role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, provided the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as surgical technology, nursing, or a closely aligned clinical discipline. Employers must document the degree requirement in the job description and LCA. Roles that accept any bachelor's degree without field specificity can face USCIS scrutiny, so the offer letter and job duties should clearly tie the degree requirement to the surgical assisting functions.
Which types of employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas for Surgical First Assistants?
Large academic medical centers, regional hospital systems, and high-volume ambulatory surgery centers are the most active sponsors. These employers have HR infrastructure and immigration counsel familiar with allied surgical roles. You can find employers with documented LCA filing history for Surgical First Assistant or perioperative roles by browsing Migrate Mate, which surfaces DOL disclosure data filtered by occupation.
How does the H-1B prevailing wage requirement apply to Surgical First Assistant positions?
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for the Surgical First Assistant occupation in your specific metro area before USCIS approves the petition. The wage level (I through IV) reflects experience and complexity. Use the OFLC Wage Search with SOC code 29-9093 to look up the applicable threshold in your target location before evaluating any offer.
Can a Surgical First Assistant petition avoid the H-1B lottery?
Only if your employer qualifies as cap-exempt. Nonprofit hospitals affiliated with universities, government-owned medical facilities, and certain research institutions can file outside the annual cap with no lottery requirement. Standard private health systems and for-profit surgery centers are cap-subject, meaning you must be selected in the April lottery before your employer can file the full petition.
What credentials should I have documented before an employer files my H-1B petition?
Gather your official degree transcripts and your Certified First Assistant or equivalent credential certificate before the employer begins the LCA process. If your degree is from a foreign institution, obtain a credential evaluation from a NACES-member evaluator confirming U.S. bachelor's equivalency. USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence if the degree-to-role connection isn't immediately clear, so having documentation ready speeds the response window significantly.