Surgical First Assistant Jobs
Surgical First Assistant jobs are open across hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical practices, from new-grad to senior levels, with specializations in orthopedic, cardiovascular, and neurosurgical procedures. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 52+ Surgical First Assistant jobs
Overview:
Location: UF Health Leesburgh Hospital
1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608
Schedule: Varies | 40hrs. per week
Employment Type: Full-Time
Since the doors opened more than 60 years ago, UF Health Leesburg Hospital has continued to build upon its reputation as a leading medical center and the most comprehensive provider of health care services in the region. The hospital offers advanced cardiovascular care, including one of the largest open-heart programs in Florida. The American College of Cardiology has recognized UF Health Leesburg Hospital for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain by awarding a Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI and Resuscitation – its highest and best level of accreditation. The hospital also offers world-class orthopedics, minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery, lifesaving emergency care, stroke treatment, labor & delivery, and so much more.
Responsibilities:
The scrub technician first assistant, under direct guidance and immediate supervision from the primary operative surgeon, assists in the perioperative care of patients in the Operating Room. Does not allow for any independent performance of any surgical procedures. This is a Full Time, Day Shift position.
Qualifications
Education
- GED or High School Diploma
Licensure/Certification/Registration
- Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) from The National Board of Surgical Technology OR Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) OR Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) from The National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) OR The American Board of Surgical Assistant (SA-C)
- BLS from the American Heart Association
Special Skills/Qualifications/Additional Training/Experience Required
- Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English
- 1-2 years surgical technology experience required
- 1-2 years surgical first assist experience preferred
- Must possess a working knowledge of operating room fundamentals, including aseptic principles and techniques
- Strong working knowledge of patient care and basic human needs throughout the life span
- In depth knowledge of medical terminology
- Strong working knowledge of acute and chronic disease processes
- Demonstrates teamwork and communicates in a professional manner with all members of the healthcare team
- Adapts quickly and easily to change and adjusted behavior and approach to work when necessary to achieve goals.
Overview:
Location: UF Health Leesburgh Hospital
1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608
Schedule: Varies | 40hrs. per week
Employment Type: Full-Time
Since the doors opened more than 60 years ago, UF Health Leesburg Hospital has continued to build upon its reputation as a leading medical center and the most comprehensive provider of health care services in the region. The hospital offers advanced cardiovascular care, including one of the largest open-heart programs in Florida. The American College of Cardiology has recognized UF Health Leesburg Hospital for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain by awarding a Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI and Resuscitation – its highest and best level of accreditation. The hospital also offers world-class orthopedics, minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery, lifesaving emergency care, stroke treatment, labor & delivery, and so much more.
Responsibilities:
The scrub technician first assistant, under direct guidance and immediate supervision from the primary operative surgeon, assists in the perioperative care of patients in the Operating Room. Does not allow for any independent performance of any surgical procedures. This is a Full Time, Day Shift position.
Qualifications
Education
- GED or High School Diploma
Licensure/Certification/Registration
- Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) from The National Board of Surgical Technology OR Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) OR Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) from The National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) OR The American Board of Surgical Assistant (SA-C)
- BLS from the American Heart Association
Special Skills/Qualifications/Additional Training/Experience Required
- Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English
- 1-2 years surgical technology experience required
- 1-2 years surgical first assist experience preferred
- Must possess a working knowledge of operating room fundamentals, including aseptic principles and techniques
- Strong working knowledge of patient care and basic human needs throughout the life span
- In depth knowledge of medical terminology
- Strong working knowledge of acute and chronic disease processes
- Demonstrates teamwork and communicates in a professional manner with all members of the healthcare team
- Adapts quickly and easily to change and adjusted behavior and approach to work when necessary to achieve goals.
See All 52+ Surgical First Assistant Jobs
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Find Surgical First Assistant JobsSurgical First Assistant Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Ascension10
- CHRISTUS Health5
- Olmsted Medical Center5
- UCHealth3
- WellSpan Health3
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services45
- Consulting & Professional Services2
- Education2
- Technology & Software1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in surgical first assistant jobs.
- Current CNFA or CSFA certification from a nationally recognized credentialing body
- Minimum two years of first-assist experience in an operating room setting
- Proficiency in open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted surgical procedures
- BLS and ACLS certification current at time of hire
- Completion of an accredited surgical first assistant or surgical technology program
- Familiarity with sterile field management, instrumentation, and surgical site preparation
Tips for Your Surgical First Assistant Job Search
List every procedure you've scrubbed
Hiring managers scan for specific case volume, not just credentials. List orthopedic, laparoscopic, or cardiovascular procedures you've assisted with and note case counts where your memory allows. Generic 'surgical experience' won't stand out.
Verify your CNFA or CSFA is current
Many job postings filter out applicants whose certification has lapsed. Double-check your CNFA or CSFA renewal date before you apply, and if it's within three months of expiring, renew it first so you don't stall an offer.
Target ASC openings alongside hospital postings
Ambulatory surgery centers hire surgical first assistants steadily and often move faster from interview to offer than large hospital systems. Search specifically for ASC and outpatient surgical center postings so you don't miss that segment of openings.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists surgical first assistant openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match your specialty and apply directly to each listing without jumping between multiple sites.
Prepare for a practical skills interview
Many surgical facilities add a clinical or scenario-based round after the initial HR screen. Practice walking through your first-assist protocol for a common case type, your response to surgical complications, and your sterile technique decisions out loud before that stage.
Negotiate start date around credentialing timelines
Hospital privilege credentialing can take four to eight weeks after an offer. Ask the hiring coordinator about their credentialing timeline before you accept so your start date is realistic and you don't jeopardize your current position by leaving too early.
Surgical First Assistant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most surgical first assistants?
The companies hiring the most surgical first assistants right now include Ascension, CHRISTUS Health, and Olmsted Medical Center, with the largest share of openings in Tennessee, Louisiana, and Minnesota, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Health systems and large ambulatory surgery center networks consistently post the highest volume of openings.
How many surgical first assistant jobs are remote?
About 0% of surgical first assistant openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most surgical roles. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements include surgical education, clinical training coordination, and surgical sales support roles that carry a first-assist background requirement.
How do you become a surgical first assistant?
You become a surgical first assistant by completing an accredited surgical technology or surgical first assistant program, accumulating clinical hours in an operating room, and then earning your CNFA or CSFA certification through a recognized credentialing body. Many candidates start as surgical technologists, build case volume across specialties, and then complete a formal first-assist training program before sitting for certification.
How do you get hired as a surgical first assistant with little experience?
Getting hired with limited experience means leading with your certification, case-type exposure during training rotations, and any scrub-tech experience you can document with procedure specifics. Target smaller ambulatory surgery centers and specialty clinics, which are more likely to invest in developing newer first assistants than large hospital systems. Emphasizing your training in a high-demand specialty like orthopedics or general surgery also strengthens your candidacy early on.
What does the surgical first assistant interview process look like?
The surgical first assistant interview process typically starts with a phone screen by a recruiter or nurse manager, followed by an in-person or video interview with the surgical services director or lead surgeon. Many facilities include a clinical scenario round where you walk through your first-assist decisions for a specific case type. A credential and reference check, and sometimes a tour of the OR suite, usually complete the process before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to surgical first assistant jobs?
You can find and apply to surgical first assistant jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Find roles that match your specialty and experience level, then apply directly to each listing. No detours to external sites are needed.
See All 52+ Surgical First Assistant Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any surgical first assistant role that fits.
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