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Certified First Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Talented Medical Solutions

First Assist - OR

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$2.0K/wk

Certified First Assist - REQUIRED * BLS (Basic Life Support) - REQUIRED * FIRST ASSIST CASE LOGS - REQUIRED FOR TEMP PRIVILEGES * NPI Number - REQUIRED AT SUBMISSION * License Verification - Not ...

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Certified First Assistant information

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How much do certified first assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for certified first assistant in the United States is $38.98, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.10 and $43.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a certified first assistant?

As a certified first assistant (CFA), also called a certified surgical first assistant (CSFA), your primary responsibilities are assisting the surgeon and nurses in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative procedures. Your job duties include prepping patients, dressing wounds, monitoring electronic medical equipment, performing minor surgical procedures, and providing care to patients before, during, and after procedures. You need experience as a surgical technician in addition to great communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to perform in high-pressure situations. You can find CSFA jobs in hospitals, private practices, outpatient surgery centers, and other health care settings with a surgical team.

What is a certified first assistant?

A Certified First Assistant (CFA), also known as a Surgical First Assistant, is a highly trained healthcare professional who assists surgeons during surgical procedures. They play a vital role in ensuring surgeries run smoothly by providing direct support, such as controlling bleeding, suturing incisions, and helping maintain a sterile environment. CFAs work closely with surgeons, nurses, and other operating room staff to enhance patient outcomes and safety. Certification typically requires specialized education, hands-on experience, and passing a national examination.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a certified first assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Certified First Assistant, you need a solid background in surgical procedures, anatomy, and sterile techniques, usually supported by certification such as the Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) or equivalent. Competence with surgical instruments, patient monitoring systems, and electronic health records is typically required. Strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are standout soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure patient safety, effective teamwork, and optimal surgical outcomes.

What are some common challenges faced by certified first assistants during surgical procedures?

Certified First Assistants often encounter challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing surgical situations, maintaining clear communication with the surgical team, and anticipating the needs of the surgeon. They must remain highly focused for extended periods and be prepared to respond quickly to unexpected complications. Collaboration, technical proficiency, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Certified First Assistant vs Surgical Technologist?

AspectCertified First AssistantSurgical Technologist
CredentialsCertified First Assistant (CFA) certification, often requires RN or physician assistant licensureCertified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification, usually requires completing a surgical tech program
Work EnvironmentAssist surgeons directly during surgeries, mainly in hospitals and surgical centersPrepare operating rooms, sterilize instruments, and assist during surgeries
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, surgical clinics, outpatient surgery centersHospitals, outpatient surgical centers, clinics

The Certified First Assistant works closely with surgeons during procedures, providing direct assistance, while Surgical Technologists prepare the operating room and support the surgical team. Both roles are vital in surgical settings but differ in responsibilities and required credentials.

How long does it take to become a certified first assistant?

Becoming a certified first assistant typically requires completing a specialized training program that lasts several months, followed by gaining hands-on experience in surgical assisting. Certification through organizations like the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) or the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) often involves passing an exam after training and experience requirements are met.
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Certified First Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Certified First Assistant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,069 per year, or $39 per hour.

Surgical Tech Certified First Assist

SCA Health

Cincinnati, OH

$29 - $43.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

SCA Health rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 59 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

268th of 891 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Overview

Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is a nationally known and respected leader in providing sports medicine and orthopedic care for over twenty five years with 20+ locations in Southwest Ohio (Cincinnati and Dayton), Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana.

At SCA Health, we believe health care is about people – the patients we serve, the physicians we support and the teammates who push us forward. Behind every successful facility, procedure or innovation is a team of 15,000+ professionals working together, learning from each other and living out the mission, vision and values that define our organization. 

As part of Optum, SCA Health is redefining specialty care by developing more accessible, patient-centered practice solutions for a network of more than 370 ambulatory surgical centers, over 400 specialty physician practice clinics and numerous labs and surgical hospitals. Our work spans a broad spectrum of services, all designed to support physicians, health systems and employers in delivering efficient, value-based care to patients without compromising quality or autonomy.  

What sets SCA Health apart isn’t just what we do, it’s how we do it. Each decision we make is rooted in seven core values: 

  • Clinical quality 
  • Integrity 
  • Service excellence 
  • Teamwork 
  • Accountability 
  • Continuous improvement 
  • Inclusion 

Our values aren’t empty words – they inform our attitudes, actions and culture. At SCA Health, your work directly impacts patients, physicians and communities. Here, you’ll find opportunities to build your career alongside a team that values your expertise, invests in your success, and shares a common mission to care for patients, serve physicians and improve health care in America.    

At SCA Health, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to support your health, well-being, and financial future. Our offerings include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k plan with company match, paid time off, life and disability insurance, and more. Please visit, https://careers.sca.health/why-sca, to learn more about our benefits.

Your ideas should inspire change. If you join our team, they will. 


Responsibilities

We are actively hiring for an Surgical Tech Certified First Assistant.

The Surgical First Assistant possesses and demonstrates competencies related to the preoperative and intraoperative aspects of care. Serves as first assistant in designated surgical procedures under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon / physician; handles all variety of tissue appropriately to reduce potential for injury or compromised blood supply; uses surgical instruments appropriately, employs principles of safe tissue handling; provides exposure to operative site; provides and maintains hemostasis and performs wound closure; demonstrates advanced knowledge of normal and pathological anatomy and physiology. 

  • Safely positions patients for the surgical procedure and assists with transport to and from the operative suite 
  • Assists surgeon in identifying patient and staff safety hazards  
  • Surgical prepping and draping of patients for the surgical procedure 
  • Provides exposure of the operative site by the appropriate use of retractors 
  • Manipulates equipment and instruments to enhance the visual field  
  • Suctions and sponges to maintain a dry surgical field resulting in an optimal visualization of the surgical field 
  • Provides counter-traction of tissue utilizing various instruments  
  • Assists with maintaining hemostasis to reduce potential for fluid volume deficits by clamping / ligating vessels, using electrocautery to tissue, applying manual direct pressure, assisting with use of pharmaceutical agents (e.g. topical thrombin) and other means as directed by the surgeon / physician 
  • Ties and cuts sutures 
  • Skillfully sutures all varieties of tissues / tissue planes with appropriate suture materials and suturing techniques. Assists in closure of wound or independently closes wound under the direction of the surgeon. 
  • Assists and independently applies dressing and tape at the end of the surgical procedure using proper aseptic / sterile techniques 
  • Maintains current knowledge of procedures performed 

Qualifications
  • Graduate of an Accredited Surgical Assistant Program 
  • Graduate from Surgical Tech Program 
  • Certification as a CSA, SA-C, or CST/CFA through their respective certifying bodies 
  • Must be licensed to practice as a Surgical Assistant in Illinois 
  • CPR Certification required 
  • Must have one (1) year of Surgical Tech experience. 
USD $29.00/Hr. USD $43.50/Hr.Qualifications:
  • Graduate of an Accredited Surgical Assistant Program 
  • Graduate from Surgical Tech Program 
  • Certification as a CSA, SA-C, or CST/CFA through their respective certifying bodies 
  • Must be licensed to practice as a Surgical Assistant in Illinois 
  • CPR Certification required 
  • Must have one (1) year of Surgical Tech experience. 
Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: UNAVAILABLE

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