Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Tennessee
Surgical first assistant jobs in Tennessee are consistently active, with demand concentrated in hospital-based surgical suites, orthopedic specialty centers, and cardiovascular programs serving the state's aging population at every level from newly credentialed through senior first assist. The largest hiring markets are Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville, where systems like HCA Healthcare, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Tennova Healthcare maintain ongoing surgical staffing needs. The most in-demand specialties are orthopedic, cardiovascular, and general surgery. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 18+ Surgical First Assistant jobs
Job Summary:
A First Assistant Practitioner must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to function as a first assistant under the direct and/or indirect supervision of a Surgeon. The employee is a specifically trained surgical technologist who demonstrates the skills, knowledge and judgment necessary to function in the assistant role. The position requires on-call responsibilities and will be assigned accordingly.
Education:
Required:
Graduate approved Surgical Technologist School, Completion First Assistant Course
Preferred:
Experience:
Required:
Documentation/demonstrated knowledge and skills required to perform First Assistant role in surgery.
Preferred:
Two (2) years' experience as a Surgical Technician in the operating room.
Position Requirement(s): License/Certification/Registration
Required:
Completion First Assistant certification exam successfully
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) completed prior to going to unit/department and maintained going forward.
Preferred:
Department Position Summary:
A First Assistant Practitioner must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to function as a first assistant under the direct and/or indirect supervision of a Surgeon. The employee is a specifically trained surgical technologist who demonstrates the skills, knowledge and judgment necessary to function in the assistant role. The position requires on-call responsibilities and will be assigned accordingly. Demonstrates Endo Vascular Vein Harvest techniques, if involved with Cardiac/Vascular.
The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the unit's policies and procedures. This is done through evaluation of direct supervisor by direct observation, in a skills lab, or discussed verbally or written. Competency can also be evaluated by a formal peer review process and/or by self-assessment based on objective criteria that is reviewed and validated.
Job Summary:
A First Assistant Practitioner must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to function as a first assistant under the direct and/or indirect supervision of a Surgeon. The employee is a specifically trained surgical technologist who demonstrates the skills, knowledge and judgment necessary to function in the assistant role. The position requires on-call responsibilities and will be assigned accordingly.
Education:
Required:
Graduate approved Surgical Technologist School, Completion First Assistant Course
Preferred:
Experience:
Required:
Documentation/demonstrated knowledge and skills required to perform First Assistant role in surgery.
Preferred:
Two (2) years' experience as a Surgical Technician in the operating room.
Position Requirement(s): License/Certification/Registration
Required:
Completion First Assistant certification exam successfully
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) completed prior to going to unit/department and maintained going forward.
Preferred:
Department Position Summary:
A First Assistant Practitioner must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to function as a first assistant under the direct and/or indirect supervision of a Surgeon. The employee is a specifically trained surgical technologist who demonstrates the skills, knowledge and judgment necessary to function in the assistant role. The position requires on-call responsibilities and will be assigned accordingly. Demonstrates Endo Vascular Vein Harvest techniques, if involved with Cardiac/Vascular.
The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the unit's policies and procedures. This is done through evaluation of direct supervisor by direct observation, in a skills lab, or discussed verbally or written. Competency can also be evaluated by a formal peer review process and/or by self-assessment based on objective criteria that is reviewed and validated.
See All 18 Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Surgical First Assistant JobsSurgical First Assistant Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Surgical First Assistant Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in surgical first assistant jobs across Tennessee.
- Active CST or CSFA credential recognized for surgical first assisting in Tennessee
- Minimum two years of scrub technologist or surgical technologist experience required
- Current BLS and ACLS certification required before start date
- Demonstrated first-assist experience in orthopedic, cardiovascular, or general surgery
- Completion of an accredited surgical first assistant education program
- Familiarity with robotic-assisted surgical platforms, including da Vinci systems
Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a surgical first assistant in Tennessee?
The standard path in Tennessee is to hold an active Certified Surgical Technologist credential through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, then complete an accredited surgical first assistant program and sit for the Certified Surgical First Assistant exam. Tennessee does not issue a separate state license for surgical first assistants, so hospital credentialing decisions rely on national certification. Large Tennessee health systems typically require both the CSFA credential and documented clinical hours before granting first-assist privileges.
How much do surgical first assistants make in Tennessee?
Surgical first assistants in Tennessee earn a median of about $81,640 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $59,370 for the lowest 10% to over $102,350 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire surgical first assistants in Tennessee?
Employers hiring surgical first assistants in Tennessee right now include Ascension, TriStar Health, and CommonSpirit Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Tennessee's large integrated health systems tend to post the most consistent volume, particularly for candidates with orthopedic or cardiovascular first-assist experience.
Which Tennessee cities have the most surgical first assistant jobs?
Nashville, Chattanooga, and Smyrna have the most surgical first assistant openings in Tennessee. Nashville leads because of its concentration of major health system headquarters and tertiary referral centers, while Memphis supports high surgical volume through its trauma and transplant programs, and Knoxville draws demand from regional medical centers serving East Tennessee's growing population.
How can I get hired as a surgical first assistant in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is coming in as a certified surgical technologist first, building scrub experience across orthopedic or general surgery cases, then enrolling in a formal surgical first assistant program. Large Tennessee systems like Vanderbilt University Medical Center and HCA-affiliated hospitals in Nashville and Memphis periodically hire surgical technologists into structured advancement tracks. Earning your CST and accumulating documented case counts in high-volume specialties gives you the strongest foundation when applying for first-assist roles or employer-sponsored training programs.
Where can I find and apply to surgical first assistant jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to surgical first assistant jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings across health systems, specialty surgery centers, and regional hospitals. Find roles that fit your credentials and experience and apply directly from each listing.
See All 18 Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Surgical First Assistant Jobs