Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Pennsylvania
Surgical First assistant jobs in Pennsylvania are concentrated in hospital systems, ambulatory surgical centers, and specialty surgical practices, with openings at every level from new graduate to senior scrub-in roles. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown anchor the bulk of hiring, where established systems like Penn Medicine, UPMC, and Lehigh Valley Health Network regularly staff surgical first assistant positions. Cardiothoracic, orthopedic, and neurosurgical specialties see the most consistent demand across Pennsylvania facilities. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Schedule
Full-Time: 40 Hours/Weekly, 4x10 Day Shift
General Summary
Performs a variety of duties in the operative treatment of surgical patients. Assists in positioning, skin preparation and draping of the patient. Provides hemostasis, wound exposure, handles tissue appropriately to reduce the potential for injury, sutures tissue, and applies dressings to the wound under the direction of the surgeon. Uses surgical instruments skillfully in ways consistent with their design and purpose. Performs other medical services as required within the scope of practice for a Certified Surgical Technologist.
Essential Functions:
- Provides primary surgical assistance to the surgeon during the operative procedure.
- Assists in positioning, skin preparation, and draping of the patient.
- Provides hemostasis, wound exposure, handles tissue appropriately to reduce the potential for injury, sutures tissue, and applies dressings to the wound under the direction of the surgeon.
- Uses surgical instruments skillfully in ways consistent with their design and purpose.
- Assists in transporting the patient postoperatively.
- Communicates information to the post anesthesia care unit.
Common Expectations:
- Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment. Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).
- Demonstrates a commitment to patient, visitor and staff by: complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors; reporting actual and potential errors, as well as hazardous conditions; identifying opportunities to standardize processes and "error proof" systems that will lead to increased safety; and participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.
- Maintains professional affiliations and enhances professional growth and development to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.
- Participates in professional activities and medical education to maintain national certification.
- Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.
Qualifications
Minimum Education:
- Certificate Program Post High School Vocational/Specialized Training. Required
- Associates Degree Preferred
Work Experience:
- 2 years As a Certified Surgical Technologist. Required
Licenses:
- Certified Surgical Technologist Upon Hire Required or
- Certified Surgical First Assistant Upon Hire Required or
- Certified Surgical Assistant - ABSA Upon Hire Required and
- Basic Life Support Upon Hire Required
Courses and Training:
- Successful completion of a Certified Surgical First Assistant program that includes a didactic and at least 140 documented procedures. Upon Hire Required
- Must qualify to be credentialed through medical staff services within 120 days Required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Demonstrates knowledge and skill in applying principles of asepsis and infection control.
- Demonstrates knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative technique relative to operative procedures wherein the CSFA assists.
- Demonstrates ability to recognize safety hazards and initiate appropriate corrective action.
- Demonstrates ability to function effectively and harmoniously as a team member.
Benefits Offered:
- Comprehensive health benefits
- Retirement savings plan
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Education assistance
- Financial education and support, including DailyPay
- Expanded Paid Parental Leave
For additional details: Benefits & Incentives | WellSpan Careers (joinwellspan.org)
WellSpan Health’s vision is to reimagine healthcare through the delivery of comprehensive, equitable health and wellness solutions throughout our continuum of care. As an integrated delivery system focused on leading in value-based care, we encompass more than 2,300 employed providers, 250 locations, nine award-winning hospitals, home care and a behavioral health organization serving central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. Our high-performing Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is the region’s largest and one of the best in the nation. With a team 23,000 strong, WellSpan experts provide a range of services, from wellness and employer services solutions to advanced care for complex medical and behavioral conditions. Our clinically integrated network of 3,000 aligned physicians and advanced practice providers is dedicated to providing the highest quality and safety, inspiring our patients and communities to be their healthiest.
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Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Surgical First Assistant Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in surgical first assistant jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Active Pennsylvania-recognized CST or CSFA credential required by most hiring facilities
- Minimum two years of first-assisting or surgical scrub experience in an accredited setting
- BLS and ACLS certification current at time of hire
- Graduate of an accredited surgical technology or surgical assisting program
- Demonstrated competency in one or more specialty surgical service lines
- Ability to obtain hospital privileging and credentialing within 90 days of hire
Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a surgical first assistant in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania does not issue a state-specific surgical first assistant license, so the path runs through national credentialing accepted by Pennsylvania employers. Most Pennsylvania hospitals and surgical centers require the Certified Surgical First Assistant credential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or the CSFA from the American Board of Surgical Assistants. Candidates typically complete an accredited surgical technology or surgical assisting program, accumulate supervised clinical hours, and pass the relevant certification exam before applying.
How much do surgical first assistants make in Pennsylvania?
Surgical first assistants in Pennsylvania earn a median of about $60,550 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $43,080 for the lowest 10% to over $107,750 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire surgical first assistants in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring surgical first assistants in Pennsylvania right now include MPOWERHealth, Penn Medicine, and WellSpan Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Pennsylvania's large integrated health systems drive steady demand, particularly for surgical first assistants credentialed in high-volume specialty service lines.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most surgical first assistant jobs?
Lancaster, York, and Reading have the most surgical first assistant openings in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh lead because both cities are home to major academic medical centers and multi-hospital health systems, while Allentown and other Lehigh Valley communities have grown significantly as Lehigh Valley Health Network and nearby specialty surgical centers have expanded their operating room capacity.
Are there remote surgical first assistant jobs in Pennsylvania?
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 typical for the core position. About 0% of surgical first assistant openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those listings generally involve administrative, education, or clinical coordination responsibilities rather than direct patient-side assisting.
How can I get hired as a surgical first assistant in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a surgical technologist role at a large Pennsylvania health system, which builds the scrub-in hours required for first-assistant credentialing. UPMC and Penn Medicine both run structured new-graduate surgical technology residency and training tracks that accept candidates without post-graduation experience. From a surgical tech position, applying internally for first-assisting opportunities once you have your NBSTSA certification and required case counts gives you a clear, documented path that Pennsylvania hiring managers recognize.
Where can I find and apply to surgical first assistant jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to surgical first assistant jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current Pennsylvania openings updated regularly. Search the listings to see roles that match your specialty, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
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