Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Nashville, TN
Surgical First Assistant jobs in Nashville are in strong demand, concentrated in the Medical Center corridor, Midtown, and the Vanderbilt/West End area across hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical practices. Employers hiring right now include Ascension, TriStar Health, and Vanderbilt Health. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 4 of 26+ Surgical First Assistant jobs
Location: Nashville, TN
Facility: Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown
Specialty: Operating Room Plastics and Gynecology
Schedule: Days | Full-time
Sign-on bonus: $12,000.00
Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more
Elite Surgical Partnership: Serve as a seamless extension of the surgeon’s hands. During complex procedures, you will provide high-level assistance—including tissue manipulation, retraction, and advanced suctioning—acting as a critical pillar of the intraoperative team.
Operational Excellence: Own the rhythm of the OR. From customizing the suite to meet specific surgeon preferences to managing streamlined, sterile turnarounds, your precision ensures we are always ready for the next life-changing case.
Precision Anatomy Access: Act as the guardian of patient safety and surgical visibility. You’ll masterfully manage patient positioning and stabilizing equipment to provide optimal surgical exposure while prioritizing the dignity and comfort of those in your care.
Licensure / Certification / Registration: BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date required. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted. Certified First Surgical Assistant obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date required. Hired/transferred before 5/30/21 not required to hold certification. Accepted: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting; American Board of Surgical Assistants; or National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants.
Education: High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
Additional Preferences: Previous CST experience
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process, our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.
Location: Nashville, TN
Facility: Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown
Specialty: Operating Room Plastics and Gynecology
Schedule: Days | Full-time
Sign-on bonus: $12,000.00
Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more
Elite Surgical Partnership: Serve as a seamless extension of the surgeon’s hands. During complex procedures, you will provide high-level assistance—including tissue manipulation, retraction, and advanced suctioning—acting as a critical pillar of the intraoperative team.
Operational Excellence: Own the rhythm of the OR. From customizing the suite to meet specific surgeon preferences to managing streamlined, sterile turnarounds, your precision ensures we are always ready for the next life-changing case.
Precision Anatomy Access: Act as the guardian of patient safety and surgical visibility. You’ll masterfully manage patient positioning and stabilizing equipment to provide optimal surgical exposure while prioritizing the dignity and comfort of those in your care.
Licensure / Certification / Registration: BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date required. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted. Certified First Surgical Assistant obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date required. Hired/transferred before 5/30/21 not required to hold certification. Accepted: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting; American Board of Surgical Assistants; or National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants.
Education: High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
Additional Preferences: Previous CST experience
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process, our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.
See All 26 Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Nashville
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Find Surgical First Assistant JobsSurgical First Assistant Job Market in Nashville
Who's Hiring
- Ascension20
- TriStar Health4
- Vanderbilt Health2
Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Nashville: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a surgical first assistant job in Nashville?
Nashville's largest concentration of surgical first assistant roles sits within its major hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers along the Briley Parkway corridor, and the growing cluster of specialty surgical practices in Midtown and Berry Hill. Candidates who hold CSFA or CNFA credentials and have experience in high-volume cardiovascular or orthopedic rooms tend to move faster through hiring. Networking through OR staff at the Medical Center campuses also opens doors quickly.
Which companies hire surgical first assistants in Nashville?
Employers hiring surgical first assistants in Nashville right now include Ascension, TriStar Health, and Vanderbilt Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Nashville's employer mix leans heavily toward large integrated health systems and independent ambulatory surgery centers, reflecting the city's reputation as a major healthcare industry hub.
Are there remote surgical first assistant jobs in Nashville?
Remote work is rare for surgical first assistants given the hands-on, sterile-field nature of the role. About 50% of surgical first assistant openings tied to Nashville are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those positions tend to involve surgical education, clinical documentation, or vendor training rather than direct patient care.
How can I get a surgical first assistant job in Nashville with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Nashville is securing a surgical technologist role first, particularly at one of the city's ambulatory surgery centers or community hospital campuses, where turnover creates consistent openings for newer graduates. Completing an accredited surgical first assistant program and pursuing a volunteer or observer arrangement in a Nashville OR builds the case for promotion. Facilities affiliated with Vanderbilt University Medical Center and HCA Healthcare commonly offer structured pathways from scrub tech to first assistant.
Related Jobs in Tennessee
See All 26 Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Nashville
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