Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Illinois
Surgical First Assistant jobs in Illinois represent an active and competitive market concentrated in hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical practices, with openings at every level from new graduate to senior lead. Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford anchor most of the hiring, and established systems like Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health Care, and OSF HealthCare consistently staff surgical first assistants across their facilities. Orthopedic, cardiovascular, and robotic-assisted surgical specialties see the most consistent demand across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 8+ Surgical First Assistant jobs
- Previous Surgical Technologist or First Assist experience and/or completion of a Surgical Technologist program is REQUIRED -
The Cardiovascular Surgical Technologist First Assist performs "scrub" and first assistant duties for scheduled surgeries inCVOR and assists with the draping, and utilization of instruments for a particular surgery. Also knowledgeable in the principles of sterile technique and sterilization procedures. Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Quality, Integrity and Stewardship that support our mission, vision and values.
Recruiter:
- completion of two year Surgial Technologist Program preferred
- completion of Surgical Technologist First Assist Program
- High School graduate or equivalent required
Licensure/Certification/Registry:
- Certification as a surgical technologist and first assist is preferred.
- BLS CPR required.
- Minimum of one year experience as a cardiothoracic senior surgical technologist or equivalent experience required.
- Demonstrated ability to consistently exceed above average performance requirements of cardiothoracic senior surgical technologist through prior experience in that role.
Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Exhibits excellent interpersonal skills.
- Is flexible in response to change.
- Environmental working conditions include exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissue, contagious diseases and/or radioactive or other potentially hazardous materials.
- Sets room for a routine, uncomplicated procedure with supplies and equipment in 5-15 minutes.
- Sets room for complicated or multi-procedure case requiring many special supplies in 30 minutes.
- Assists circulator in checking equipment.
- Assists circulator in obtaining supplies prior to bringing patient to room.
- Has basic knowledge of instrumentation and its appropriate use.
- Checks instrumentation regarding cleanliness, function, correct number of pieces, and completeness of tray.
- Allows adequate time for preparation of supplies and counting (i.e., routine case 15 minutes, complicated case 30-40 minutes).
- Has basic knowledge of surgical procedures.
- Organizes and maintains a neat, clean mayo, instrument, and back tables.
- Attempts reasonable anticipation of sequence of instrumentation.
- Properly identifies medication.
- Handles floor stock medications or medications delivered from pharmacy directly or through the pneumatic tube station. Relocate these medications, in original containers, to designated secure storage locations or delivers directly to appropriate licensed staff.
- Keeps track of sponges, needles, and instruments during procedure at all times.
- Relays accurate identification of specimens and cultures.
- Organizes and assists in end-of-case clean up.
- Separates sharp and delicate instruments during clean up.
- Assists in pulling cases.
2. Assists in maintenance of safe environment for patients and staff.
- Has knowledge and applies principles of good aseptic practice (i.e., appropriate scrub length, OR attire, proper gowning, gloving, and draping methods).
- Checks sterile supplies for proper packaging and dating.
- Actively assists in recognizing and reporting breaks in sterile technique.
- Requests assistance of Sterile Processing personnel in preparation of instruments for immediate reuse.
- Follows protocol for universal blood- and body-fluid precautions at all times.
- Prevents loss of instruments by thorough search of drapes before they are discarded.
3. Assists in the orderly function of the OR.
- Demonstrates flexibility in a team effort (i.e., takes required supplies from circulator when offered).
- Checks room for and puts away excess supplies and equipment.
- Takes initiative and seeks appropriate opportunities to update and maintain surgical skills (i.e., requests certain cases and attends inservices).
- Assists in checking to-follow cases for completeness and accuracy.
- Assists in orientation of new personnel.
- Actively participates in checking and maintaining assignment by participating as a permanent team member.
- Participates in updating surgeon’s preference list.
- Reports to assigned room on time.
- Understands and follows disaster plan.
- Follows hospital/unit policies, procedures, and behavioral expectations.
- Uses designated lines of communication and authority.
- Willingly assists co-workers to facilitate patient care.
- Attends 65 percent or a minimum of 6 unit staff meetings per year, whichever number is greater. Seeks excused absences by OR director or specialty supervisor when needed. Reviews and signs minutes.
- Attends or participates in JCAHO and other mandatory inservices.
4. Initiates appropriate intraoperative behaviors unique to first assistant, if trained to do so.
- Provides hemostasis to reduce potential for post-operative infection and potential for fluid volume deficit by clamping and/or ligating vessels, using electrosurgical cautery, applying direct pressure, applying chemical agents that promote coagulation, and other means as directed by surgeon.
- Provides exposure of the operative site through the appropriate use of retractors and other instruments and through suctioning and sponging.
- Uses surgical instrumentation skillfully in ways consistent with their design and purpose as directed by the surgeon.
- Handles all variety of tissue appropriately to reduce potential for injury or compromised blood supply.
- Sutures skillfully all varieties of tissue with the appropriate suture materials and suturing techniques.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.
- Previous Surgical Technologist or First Assist experience and/or completion of a Surgical Technologist program is REQUIRED -
The Cardiovascular Surgical Technologist First Assist performs "scrub" and first assistant duties for scheduled surgeries inCVOR and assists with the draping, and utilization of instruments for a particular surgery. Also knowledgeable in the principles of sterile technique and sterilization procedures. Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Quality, Integrity and Stewardship that support our mission, vision and values.
Recruiter:
- completion of two year Surgial Technologist Program preferred
- completion of Surgical Technologist First Assist Program
- High School graduate or equivalent required
Licensure/Certification/Registry:
- Certification as a surgical technologist and first assist is preferred.
- BLS CPR required.
- Minimum of one year experience as a cardiothoracic senior surgical technologist or equivalent experience required.
- Demonstrated ability to consistently exceed above average performance requirements of cardiothoracic senior surgical technologist through prior experience in that role.
Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Exhibits excellent interpersonal skills.
- Is flexible in response to change.
- Environmental working conditions include exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissue, contagious diseases and/or radioactive or other potentially hazardous materials.
- Sets room for a routine, uncomplicated procedure with supplies and equipment in 5-15 minutes.
- Sets room for complicated or multi-procedure case requiring many special supplies in 30 minutes.
- Assists circulator in checking equipment.
- Assists circulator in obtaining supplies prior to bringing patient to room.
- Has basic knowledge of instrumentation and its appropriate use.
- Checks instrumentation regarding cleanliness, function, correct number of pieces, and completeness of tray.
- Allows adequate time for preparation of supplies and counting (i.e., routine case 15 minutes, complicated case 30-40 minutes).
- Has basic knowledge of surgical procedures.
- Organizes and maintains a neat, clean mayo, instrument, and back tables.
- Attempts reasonable anticipation of sequence of instrumentation.
- Properly identifies medication.
- Handles floor stock medications or medications delivered from pharmacy directly or through the pneumatic tube station. Relocate these medications, in original containers, to designated secure storage locations or delivers directly to appropriate licensed staff.
- Keeps track of sponges, needles, and instruments during procedure at all times.
- Relays accurate identification of specimens and cultures.
- Organizes and assists in end-of-case clean up.
- Separates sharp and delicate instruments during clean up.
- Assists in pulling cases.
2. Assists in maintenance of safe environment for patients and staff.
- Has knowledge and applies principles of good aseptic practice (i.e., appropriate scrub length, OR attire, proper gowning, gloving, and draping methods).
- Checks sterile supplies for proper packaging and dating.
- Actively assists in recognizing and reporting breaks in sterile technique.
- Requests assistance of Sterile Processing personnel in preparation of instruments for immediate reuse.
- Follows protocol for universal blood- and body-fluid precautions at all times.
- Prevents loss of instruments by thorough search of drapes before they are discarded.
3. Assists in the orderly function of the OR.
- Demonstrates flexibility in a team effort (i.e., takes required supplies from circulator when offered).
- Checks room for and puts away excess supplies and equipment.
- Takes initiative and seeks appropriate opportunities to update and maintain surgical skills (i.e., requests certain cases and attends inservices).
- Assists in checking to-follow cases for completeness and accuracy.
- Assists in orientation of new personnel.
- Actively participates in checking and maintaining assignment by participating as a permanent team member.
- Participates in updating surgeon’s preference list.
- Reports to assigned room on time.
- Understands and follows disaster plan.
- Follows hospital/unit policies, procedures, and behavioral expectations.
- Uses designated lines of communication and authority.
- Willingly assists co-workers to facilitate patient care.
- Attends 65 percent or a minimum of 6 unit staff meetings per year, whichever number is greater. Seeks excused absences by OR director or specialty supervisor when needed. Reviews and signs minutes.
- Attends or participates in JCAHO and other mandatory inservices.
4. Initiates appropriate intraoperative behaviors unique to first assistant, if trained to do so.
- Provides hemostasis to reduce potential for post-operative infection and potential for fluid volume deficit by clamping and/or ligating vessels, using electrosurgical cautery, applying direct pressure, applying chemical agents that promote coagulation, and other means as directed by surgeon.
- Provides exposure of the operative site through the appropriate use of retractors and other instruments and through suctioning and sponging.
- Uses surgical instrumentation skillfully in ways consistent with their design and purpose as directed by the surgeon.
- Handles all variety of tissue appropriately to reduce potential for injury or compromised blood supply.
- Sutures skillfully all varieties of tissue with the appropriate suture materials and suturing techniques.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.
See All 8 Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Illinois
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Find Surgical First Assistant JobsSurgical First Assistant Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Surgical First Assistant Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in surgical first assistant jobs across Illinois.
- Active NCSA or CST certification recognized by Illinois surgical employers
- Completion of an accredited surgical first assistant or surgical technology program
- Current BLS and ACLS certification required for most hospital and ASC positions
- Minimum clinical hours in first-assisting across multiple surgical specialties
- Proficiency with robotic platforms including da Vinci surgical systems
- Experience with orthopedic, cardiovascular, or laparoscopic surgical procedures preferred
Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a surgical first assistant in Illinois?
You become a surgical first assistant in Illinois by completing an accredited surgical first assistant program or a surgical technology program followed by a first-assistant training pathway, then earning a nationally recognized credential such as the Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. Illinois does not issue its own state license for surgical first assistants, but most Illinois hospital systems and ASCs require CSFA or CNFA certification as a condition of employment.
How much do surgical first assistants make in Illinois?
Surgical first assistants in Illinois earn a median of about $80,210 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $64,220 for the lowest 10% to over $83,740 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire surgical first assistants in Illinois?
Employers hiring surgical first assistants in Illinois right now include OSF HealthCare, Ascension, and City of Hope, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of academic medical centers and large regional health systems means openings appear regularly across both urban campuses and suburban outpatient surgery locations.
Which Illinois cities have the most surgical first assistant jobs?
The cities with the most surgical first assistant openings in Illinois are Chicago, Illinois, and Zion. Chicago drives the largest share of demand given its concentration of academic medical centers, Level I trauma centers, and specialty surgical groups, while Peoria and Rockford support consistent hiring through anchor institutions like OSF HealthCare and Mercyhealth that serve large regional patient populations.
Are there remote surgical first assistant jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Surgical first assisting is a hands-on, sterile-field role that requires physical presence in the operating room, so remote work is not a realistic option for the core job. About 0% of surgical first assistant openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions typically involve administrative, education, or clinical coordination duties rather than direct surgical assistance.
How can I get hired as a surgical first assistant in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is working as a certified surgical technologist first, then transitioning into a first-assistant role once you have operating room experience. Large Illinois systems like Northwestern Medicine and Advocate Health Care periodically run surgical technology internship and new-graduate orientation programs that expose candidates to first-assisting responsibilities. Earning your CSFA or enrolling in an accredited first-assistant program while working as a scrub tech is the credential that most Illinois employers look for before promoting or hiring into a dedicated surgical first assistant role.
Where can I find and apply to surgical first assistant jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to surgical first assistant jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical practices. Find the roles that fit your credentials and experience and apply directly.
See All 8 Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Surgical First Assistant Jobs