H-1B Visa Surgical First Assistant Jobs
Surgical First Assistant roles qualify as H-1B 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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INTRODUCTION
PRN (As Needed)
Shift: Day/Evenings (8 or 12 hour shifts)
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Certified Surgical First Assistant is a member of the Surgical Team in the Surgical Suite who works with the Surgeon, Anesthesiologist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Surgical Technologist, and Registered Nurse to deliver direct patient care before, during and after surgery. Essential Functions and Responsibilities include:
- Utilizes appropriate physician preference cards; anticipates supplies and equipment needed for the assigned case.
- Prepares room supplies according to operative procedure.
- Assists with moving, positioning, preparing and draping patients.
- Applies and utilizes special equipment safely.
- Maintains aseptic technique.
- Assists with obtaining specimens and ensures proper preparation and handling.
- Performs correct counts according to hospital policies and procedures.
- Anticipates and adjusts rapidly to the instrument needs of the surgeon.
- Assists in the maintenance of instruments and supplies by proper maintenance, care, cleaning and sterilization.
- Maintains good interpersonal skills.
- Performs all of the above in a safe and efficient manner according to hospital policies and procedures.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
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Demonstrates involvement in unit by attending 50% of staff/committee meetings and in-services in area.
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Actively supports and participates in new employee orientation.
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Assists in maintaining a neat, safe and clean environment.
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Performs duties accurately, recognizing their importance and relationship to patient care and patient safety.
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Uses supplies and equipment with discretion, being mindful of costs and avoiding waste.
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Adapts to changes in workload or procedure assignment.
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Responds appropriately to emergency situations.
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Plans, prioritizes and organizes the day effectively related to patient care and workload.
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Accurately swipes in and out. Maintains time in accordance with department specifics.
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Utilizes proper body mechanics to prevent injury to self or others. Safely positions, transfers & transports patients.
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Maintains aseptic technique.
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Anticipates and adjusts to needs of the surgeon and surgical team, assisting with radiological procedures and the equipment needs of the surgeon, which includes, but are not limited to, stepping on the pedal.
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Performs correct counts and time out as part of the surgical team.
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Assists in proper specimen collection and hand off.
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Assists in maintenance of instruments and equipment. Removes defective equipment immediately and troubleshoots to finish case, reporting issues to appropriate department for repair.
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Accurately prepares and labels all medications with nurse and surgeon on sterile field.
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Knows own role in case of surgical fire, codes and emergency situations and responds appropriately.
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Demonstrates ability to communicate pertinent information to the RN and surgical team.
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Maintains appropriate safety measures in surgical areas, i.e. strict compliance with all surgical initiatives including but not limited to all steps of Universal Protocol process, parallel processing, sharps safety, no pass zone, PPE protection in the surgical area, medication labeling and specimen handling.
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Maintain competency with common positions related to the surgical procedure and assist with patient positioning in accordance with surgeons instructions to provide the best exposure for the surgical procedure considering the patients comfort and safety.
- Points of pressure requiring additional padding, such as; elbows, heels, knees, eyes, face, and axillary region.
- Circulation shall not be impaired. (A tourniquet may be required for some procedures.)
- Nerve damage shall be guarded against.
- Maintain competency with common positions related to the surgical procedure and can use the equipment necessary to provide safe positioning for surgical cases.
- Competencies will include the following: Fracture tables, head stabilizers, and any other equipment needed.
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Manual dexterity and flexibility adequate for cleaning, processing and sterilizing instruments (according to CDC, OSHA, and hospital policies and procedures) and maintains aseptic technique.
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Acquires operational knowledge of autoclaves and sterilizers; programs, packs and troubleshoots as appropriate.
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Sets up and processes specified trays.
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Picks instruments and supplies for upcoming cases.
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Participates in cross-training as assigned.
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Processes incoming implant instruments/trays from vendors and distributes for scheduled cases. Reprocesses same after completion of case and makes ready for shipment/pick up.
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Appropriate placement and securing of retractors with or without padding.
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Packing with sponges.
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Suctioning, irrigating, or sponging.
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Manipulation of suture materials and tissue; handles tissue appropriately to reduce the potential for injury.
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Uses surgical instruments skillfully in ways consistent with their design and purpose.
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Provides primary surgical assistance to the surgeon during the operative procedure.
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Under the direct supervision of the surgeon, performs a variety of duties in the operative treatment of surgical patients.
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Utilizing appropriate techniques to assist with hemostasis/prevent hemorrhage.
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Applying direct digital pressure.
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Closing skin with method directed by surgeon (suture, staples, etc.)
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Selecting and applying appropriate wound dressings, including:
- Liquid or spray occlusive materials.
- Absorbent material affixed with tape or circumferential wrapping.
- Immobilizing dressing (soft or rigid).
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Providing assistance in securing drainage systems to tissue.
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Assists with Robotics as outlined by additional Intuitive training course.
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Performs tasks as related to the intraoperative harvesting of the saphenous vein.
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Performs tasks related to the intra-operative activation of power equipment and electrosurgery unit as necessary to contribute to quality surgical patient outcomes.
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Performs advanced task functions in the closure of body plains with supervision of the surgeon.
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Facilitates the closure of the skin layer by proper handling of the tissue with forceps.
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Performs venipuncture for the purposes of continuous IV therapy.
QUALIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS
Education: Formal Education and Training: Graduate from a School of Surgical Technology or equivalent training as a Surgical Technician in the Armed Forces with five years of experience.
Informal or Continuing Education: Evidence of participation in educational programs to update and maintain knowledge and clinical skills.
Experience: Experience applying customer service behaviors and communication skills required. Recent experience as an Operating Room Technician preferred. Must possess necessary technical skills and interest in biological care; basic understanding of interpersonal and health concepts.
Certifications/Licensure: Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) required.
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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.
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Find Surgical First Assistant JobsSurgical First Assistant H-1B Visa: 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.
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