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 JobsLocation: Local and national travel options are available dependent on need.
Facility: Multiple Ascension acute care hospitals
Department: Associate Travel Program - Surgical First Assist
Schedule: Multiple Shifts available | 40 hours per week
Gross Rate up to $2,864 per week
ATP
How you'll make an impact in this role:
- Providing direct assistance to surgeons, including tissue manipulation, retraction, sponging, suctioning, and irrigation to ensure clear operative site visualization.
- Positioning patients for optimal exposure using stabilizing equipment while prioritizing safety and comfort.
- Achieving temporary and permanent hemostasis, assisting with body plane closure, applying wound dressings, and securing drainage systems.
- Preparing surgical suites according to surgeon preference cards and assisting with room turnover, including waste and soiled cart removal.
What minimum qualifications you'll need:
Licensure / Certification / Registration:
Required Credential(s):
- BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
Preferred Credential(s):
- Surgical Assistant credentialed from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
Education:
High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
What additional requirements you'll need:
- 1+ year of recent experience as a First Assist.
- NBSTSA required for Certified position.
Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity:
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you’ll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer:
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process. Our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.
Benefits:
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Various health insurance options & wellness plans
- Retirement benefits including employer match plans
- Long-term & short-term disability
- Employee assistance programs (EAP)
- Parental leave & adoption assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Ways to give back to your community
Benefit options and eligibility vary by position. Compensation varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, performance, location and salary range at the time of the offer.
Location: Local and national travel options are available dependent on need.
Facility: Multiple Ascension acute care hospitals
Department: Associate Travel Program - Surgical First Assist
Schedule: Multiple Shifts available | 40 hours per week
Gross Rate up to $2,864 per week
ATP
How you'll make an impact in this role:
- Providing direct assistance to surgeons, including tissue manipulation, retraction, sponging, suctioning, and irrigation to ensure clear operative site visualization.
- Positioning patients for optimal exposure using stabilizing equipment while prioritizing safety and comfort.
- Achieving temporary and permanent hemostasis, assisting with body plane closure, applying wound dressings, and securing drainage systems.
- Preparing surgical suites according to surgeon preference cards and assisting with room turnover, including waste and soiled cart removal.
What minimum qualifications you'll need:
Licensure / Certification / Registration:
Required Credential(s):
- BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
Preferred Credential(s):
- Surgical Assistant credentialed from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
Education:
High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
What additional requirements you'll need:
- 1+ year of recent experience as a First Assist.
- NBSTSA required for Certified position.
Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity:
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you’ll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer:
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process. Our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.
Benefits:
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Various health insurance options & wellness plans
- Retirement benefits including employer match plans
- Long-term & short-term disability
- Employee assistance programs (EAP)
- Parental leave & adoption assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Ways to give back to your community
Benefit options and eligibility vary by position. Compensation varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, performance, location and salary range at the time of the offer.
See all OPT Surgical First Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Surgical First Assistant Jobs.
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.