Surgical Assistant Jobs

Surgical Assistant jobs are open across hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty clinics, from entry-level to senior and lead roles, with specializations in orthopedic, cardiovascular, and neurosurgical procedures. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles803+
Top stateFlorida
Top employerAscension
Top cityJacksonville, FL
Work type91% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 803+ Surgical Assistant jobs

Nurse Assistant / Health Unit Coordinator - Unit 1 Medical Surgical
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New 6h ago
Nurse Assistant / Health Unit Coordinator - Unit 1 Medical Surgical
Kettering Health
Miamisburg, Ohio
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
10,000+

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Nursing Assistant II-Surgical Unit-Days-Orlando Health Lakeland Highlands Hospital-Lakeland, FL
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New 7h ago
Nursing Assistant II-Surgical Unit-Days-Orlando Health Lakeland Highlands Hospital-Lakeland, FL
Orlando Health
Lakeland, Florida
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
BLS Certification

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Medical Assistant - Surgical Care, Urology & Wound Care
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New 7h ago
Medical Assistant - Surgical Care, Urology & Wound Care
MaineHealth
North Conway, New Hampshire
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$21.09 - $27.12/hr
Remote (US)
EMT Certification
10,000+

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Lab Assistant, Surgical Technologist
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New 11h ago
Lab Assistant, Surgical Technologist
Great Lakes Institute of Technology
Erie, Pennsylvania
Higher Education
Research & Academia
Teaching & Instruction
On-Site
11-50

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Surgical Tech First Assistant-Mount Carmel St. Ann's
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New 14h ago
Surgical Tech First Assistant-Mount Carmel St. Ann's
Mount Carmel Health
Westerville, Ohio
Caregiving & Elderly Support
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Surgical Assistant Job Market

Who's Hiring

  • Ascension25
  • Banner Health17
  • Orlando Health12
  • Froedtert & MCW12
  • MaineHealth11

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services74
  • Science & Research9
  • Education7
  • Consulting & Professional Services2
  • Insurance1

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in surgical assistant jobs.

  • Current CST, CFA, or SA-C certification from a recognized credentialing body
  • Minimum two years of first-assisting or surgical scrub experience in an accredited facility
  • Demonstrated proficiency with surgical instruments across at least one major specialty
  • Active BLS certification, with ACLS preferred for cardiovascular or trauma settings
  • Associate or bachelor's degree in surgical technology or a related allied health field
  • Ability to hold a sterile field, retract tissue, and close wounds under surgeon direction

Tips for Your Surgical Assistant Job Search

Tailor your resume to each specialty

Orthopedic and cardiovascular teams look for different instrument knowledge and case volume. List the specific procedure types you've scrubbed for, the surgeons you've assisted, and the facility types, so hiring managers see an exact match rather than a generic credential.

Highlight your certification prominently

Whether you hold a CST, CFA, or SA-C credential, place it next to your name at the top of your resume. Many surgical assistant postings filter applicants by certification before a human ever reads the file, so burying it costs you interviews.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists surgical assistant openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Prepare case-specific stories for interviews

Interviewers frequently ask you to walk through a complex or unexpected intraoperative situation. Rehearse two or three specific cases where you anticipated instrument needs, managed a complication, or communicated a critical step, with enough detail to show clinical judgment.

Verify facility credentialing requirements early

Some hospital systems require specific continuing education hours, BLS or ACLS recertification, or facility-issued privileges before your start date. Confirm these before your final interview so credentialing delays don't push back your offer or rescind it entirely.

Negotiate total compensation, not just base pay

Surgical assistant offers often include call pay, case differentials, and continuing education reimbursement that vary widely between employers. Ask for the full compensation breakdown during the offer stage so you're comparing the complete picture across competing offers.

Surgical Assistant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most surgical assistants?

The companies hiring the most surgical assistants right now include Ascension, Banner Health, and Orlando Health, with the largest share of openings in Florida, Tennessee, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. High surgical volume and ongoing facility expansion at health systems and ambulatory surgery center networks continue to drive the most consistent hiring activity.

How many surgical assistant jobs are remote?

About 9% of surgical assistant openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most OR roles. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or flexible arrangements include surgical education, clinical documentation, and case scheduling coordination rather than direct patient-care positions.

How do you become a surgical assistant?

You typically complete an accredited surgical technology or surgical assisting program, graduate with an associate or bachelor's degree, and then sit for a national certification exam such as the CST or SA-C. Most employers also expect you to accumulate supervised first-assisting hours in a clinical setting before hiring into an independent role.

Can you get hired as a surgical assistant with little experience?

Yes, some ambulatory surgery centers and community hospitals hire candidates with limited independent experience if you hold a current certification and completed a strong clinical rotation. Emphasize the specific procedure types from your externship, name the surgeons you assisted, and apply to facilities that explicitly list new graduates or junior-level candidates as welcome in the posting.

What does the surgical assistant interview process look like?

Most processes start with a phone screen by HR, followed by a clinical interview with the OR manager or lead surgeon that includes case-scenario questions testing your instrument knowledge and sterile technique. Some facilities add a practical skills assessment or a brief OR observation day before extending a written offer.

Where can I find and apply to surgical assistant jobs?

You can find and apply to surgical assistant jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that fit your specialty, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to each listing that matches what you're looking for.

See All 803+ Surgical Assistant Jobs

Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Surgical Assistant Jobs