OPT Surgical First Assistant Jobs
Surgical First Assistant jobs on OPT require active work authorization, typically STEM OPT if your degree is in a qualifying health sciences or biological sciences field. Most employers require current CST or CSFA certification. Your 12- or 24-month OPT window and any STEM extension timeline matter when evaluating contract versus permanent roles.
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Get Access To All JobsBuilding Location:
32nd Avenue Building
Department:
3013400 SURGERY - 32ND HOSP
Job Description:
Essentia Health is seeking a Surgical Technologist First Assist to serve in the operating room at our 32nd Avenue Building in Fargo, North Dakota. This CSFA works 6:30 am to 5:00 pm, four days per week. Weekday, weekend, and holiday call rotations are required. A $15,000 sign-on bonus and relocation assistance are available.
Education Qualifications:
* Graduate of a surgical assisting program accredited through ARCST or graduate of an accredited school of surgical technology.
About Essentia Health:
At Essentia Health, we believe that when you love where you work, it shows in the care you provide. Driven by our mission to make a healthy difference in people’s lives, our clinical and support teams come together every day to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to the communities we are privileged to serve. Here, you’ll find an award-winning culture built around genuine work-life balance, long-term stability, and the resources you need to continually grow your career.
Why Choose Essentia Health Fargo?
Step into a high-caliber surgical environment at Essentia Health-Fargo, a CMS 5-Star rated hospital and designated Level II Adult Trauma Center serving North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. Here, surgical professionals play a vital, respected role across an extensive procedural mix—from advanced robotic and minimally invasive cases to cardiothoracic, neuro, ortho spine, and acute trauma interventions. You’ll collaborate with a close, surgeon-led team that values your technical expertise, fosters real peer-to-peer mentorship, and invests in your clinical growth. Outside the operating room, you’ll discover why the Fargo-Moorhead area consistently ranks among the Midwest’s most livable communities—offering an energetic downtown arts and dining scene, easy commutes, affordable cost of living, and a thriving college-town culture that makes planting roots effortless.
What You'll Do:
Provides assistance to the surgeon to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure. Assists the surgeon with exposure, hemostasis, suturing, dressing and other duties as delegated. May also work as a Surgical Technologist.
Employees scheduled 24+ hours weekly enjoy these benefits:
Health Insurance and HSA or FSA accounts
Dental and Vision insurances
Supplemental insurances- critical illness, accident, & hospital indemnity
Paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance
Supplemental Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
PTO accrual and 7 paid holidays per year
Paid parental leave after one year
Adoption assistance after one year
Bereavement & Jury Duty (all regularly scheduled employees)
All employees, including casual, enjoy these benefits:
Take Charge (employee wellness program)
Guidance Resources (free confidential counseling)
Employee discount program
401(k) retirement account (traditional & Roth)
* 401(k) matching & discretionary contributions (subject to service requirements)
Licensure/Certification Qualifications:
Unlicensed assistive person (UAP) in the state of North Dakota upon hire.
Certified Surgical First Assist (CSFA) with the NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting) upon hire.
* Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification or ability to become certified within 3 months from date of hire.
FTE:
1
Possible Remote/Hybrid Option:
Shift Rotation:
Day Rotation (United States of America)
Shift Start Time:
6:30 am
Shift End Time:
5:00 pm
Weekends:
Rotation
Holidays:
Yes
Call Obligation:
Yes
Union:
Compensation Range:
$36.01 - $54.02
Employee Benefits at Essentia Health: At Essentia Health, we’re committed to supporting your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with supplemental options to fit your needs. We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contributions to help you plan for the future, and we invest in your professional development through training, tuition reimbursement, and educational programs. To help you thrive both at work and at home, we provide flexible scheduling, generous time off, and wellness resources focused on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Please note that benefit eligibility may vary. For full details, refer to your benefit summary or contact our HR Service Center at (218) 576-0000.
Building Location:
32nd Avenue Building
Department:
3013400 SURGERY - 32ND HOSP
Job Description:
Essentia Health is seeking a Surgical Technologist First Assist to serve in the operating room at our 32nd Avenue Building in Fargo, North Dakota. This CSFA works 6:30 am to 5:00 pm, four days per week. Weekday, weekend, and holiday call rotations are required. A $15,000 sign-on bonus and relocation assistance are available.
Education Qualifications:
* Graduate of a surgical assisting program accredited through ARCST or graduate of an accredited school of surgical technology.
About Essentia Health:
At Essentia Health, we believe that when you love where you work, it shows in the care you provide. Driven by our mission to make a healthy difference in people’s lives, our clinical and support teams come together every day to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to the communities we are privileged to serve. Here, you’ll find an award-winning culture built around genuine work-life balance, long-term stability, and the resources you need to continually grow your career.
Why Choose Essentia Health Fargo?
Step into a high-caliber surgical environment at Essentia Health-Fargo, a CMS 5-Star rated hospital and designated Level II Adult Trauma Center serving North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. Here, surgical professionals play a vital, respected role across an extensive procedural mix—from advanced robotic and minimally invasive cases to cardiothoracic, neuro, ortho spine, and acute trauma interventions. You’ll collaborate with a close, surgeon-led team that values your technical expertise, fosters real peer-to-peer mentorship, and invests in your clinical growth. Outside the operating room, you’ll discover why the Fargo-Moorhead area consistently ranks among the Midwest’s most livable communities—offering an energetic downtown arts and dining scene, easy commutes, affordable cost of living, and a thriving college-town culture that makes planting roots effortless.
What You'll Do:
Provides assistance to the surgeon to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure. Assists the surgeon with exposure, hemostasis, suturing, dressing and other duties as delegated. May also work as a Surgical Technologist.
Employees scheduled 24+ hours weekly enjoy these benefits:
Health Insurance and HSA or FSA accounts
Dental and Vision insurances
Supplemental insurances- critical illness, accident, & hospital indemnity
Paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance
Supplemental Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
PTO accrual and 7 paid holidays per year
Paid parental leave after one year
Adoption assistance after one year
Bereavement & Jury Duty (all regularly scheduled employees)
All employees, including casual, enjoy these benefits:
Take Charge (employee wellness program)
Guidance Resources (free confidential counseling)
Employee discount program
401(k) retirement account (traditional & Roth)
* 401(k) matching & discretionary contributions (subject to service requirements)
Licensure/Certification Qualifications:
Unlicensed assistive person (UAP) in the state of North Dakota upon hire.
Certified Surgical First Assist (CSFA) with the NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting) upon hire.
* Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification or ability to become certified within 3 months from date of hire.
FTE:
1
Possible Remote/Hybrid Option:
Shift Rotation:
Day Rotation (United States of America)
Shift Start Time:
6:30 am
Shift End Time:
5:00 pm
Weekends:
Rotation
Holidays:
Yes
Call Obligation:
Yes
Union:
Compensation Range:
$36.01 - $54.02
Employee Benefits at Essentia Health: At Essentia Health, we’re committed to supporting your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with supplemental options to fit your needs. We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contributions to help you plan for the future, and we invest in your professional development through training, tuition reimbursement, and educational programs. To help you thrive both at work and at home, we provide flexible scheduling, generous time off, and wellness resources focused on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Please note that benefit eligibility may vary. For full details, refer to your benefit summary or contact our HR Service Center at (218) 576-0000.
See all 34+ OPT Surgical First Assistant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Surgical First Assistant
Verify your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Surgical First Assistant roles often attract STEM OPT candidates with degrees in biological sciences or health informatics. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying, since not all allied health degrees qualify for the 24-month STEM extension.
Target hospitals with established OPT hiring history
Large academic medical centers and health systems sponsor OPT workers more consistently than small surgical centers. Search Migrate Mate to identify employers who have actively hired OPT students in surgical or perioperative roles before.
Get certified before you start applying
Most employers require CSFA or CST credentials at the time of hire, not just at orientation. Sitting your boards before you begin applying removes a major hiring barrier and signals you are ready to work immediately upon authorization approval.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Surgical roles involve credentialing, background checks, and hospital privileging that can add four to six weeks beyond a standard hiring timeline. Apply at least two months before your authorized start date to avoid gaps in employment.
Address OPT proactively in your cover letter
Hiring managers in surgical settings often have limited immigration experience. A brief, factual sentence explaining that you hold current EAD authorization and are eligible to work without immediate visa sponsorship reduces friction and increases callback rates.
Understand how contract roles affect your OPT reporting
Per diem and locum surgical assistant positions count as valid OPT employment only if the work is directly related to your degree. Report changes in employer or employment type to your DSO within ten days to maintain status compliance.
Surgical First Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Surgical First Assistant on OPT?
Yes, provided the role is directly related to your degree field, typically surgical technology, health sciences, or a qualifying biological sciences program. You must have an approved EAD before your start date. If your degree qualifies as STEM, you may be eligible for a 24-month extension beyond the initial 12 months of OPT.
Do Surgical First Assistant employers typically sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Some do, but it varies significantly by employer type. Large academic medical centers and integrated health systems are more likely to sponsor H-1B visa petitions than independent surgery centers or small private practices. Migrate Mate lists Surgical First Assistant roles from employers with a documented history of OPT and visa sponsorship, which narrows your search considerably.
Does a Surgical First Assistant role qualify as STEM OPT employment?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. Degrees in biological sciences, health informatics, or clinical laboratory science may qualify. Degrees in general surgical technology under a non-STEM CIP code typically do not. Confirm with your DSO and cross-check your degree against the official STEM designated degree program list before accepting a role under a STEM extension.
How does hospital credentialing affect my OPT employment timeline?
Hospital credentialing for surgical staff typically takes four to eight weeks and happens after you receive a conditional offer. This matters on OPT because you cannot begin working until both your EAD is active and credentialing is complete. Build this buffer into your job search timeline. Accepting an offer close to your OPT start date with no credentialing runway is a common mistake that creates unauthorized work gaps.
Can I work per diem or on short-term contracts as a Surgical First Assistant on OPT?
Yes, per diem and contract work is permitted under OPT as long as the position is related to your degree and you work at least 20 hours per week. However, each new employer or work site must be reported to your DSO within ten days. Frequent employer changes are permissible but require careful tracking to avoid status violations.