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Orthopedic Surgical First Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Covenant Health

SURGICAL FIRST ASSISTANT

Knoxville, TN · On-site

Overview Surgical First Assistant, Operating Room $7,500 Sign-on Bonus for Experienced SFAs $5,000 ... Specialties include orthopedics, cardio-vascular, robotics, gyn and urology services. Parkwest ...

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Orthopedic Surgical First Assistant information

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$27

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How much do orthopedic surgical first assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for orthopedic surgical first assistant in the United States is $27.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $30.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do I become an orthopedic surgical first assistant?

To become an orthopedic surgical first assistant, one typically needs to complete a formal education program such as a surgical assisting or physician assistant program, obtain certification like the Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) credential, and gain clinical experience in surgical settings. Licensing or certification requirements vary by state or country, and strong knowledge of anatomy, surgical procedures, and sterile techniques are essential.

What is an orthopedic surgical first assistant?

An Orthopedic Surgical First Assistant is a trained healthcare professional who assists orthopedic surgeons during surgical procedures. They are responsible for tasks such as preparing the surgical site, handling instruments, providing exposure of the operative area, and assisting with suturing and wound closure. Their expertise helps ensure surgeries are performed efficiently and safely. Orthopedic Surgical First Assistants often have backgrounds as physician assistants, registered nurses, or surgical technologists with specialized training in orthopedics.

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

AspectOrthopedic Surgical First AssistantSurgical Technologist
CredentialsCertified First Assistant (CFA), surgical assisting certificationsPost-secondary education, certification (e.g., CST)
Work EnvironmentOperating rooms during orthopedic surgeriesAssist in various surgeries, including orthopedic, in operating rooms
Employer & IndustryHospitals, surgical centers specializing in orthopedicsHospitals, outpatient surgical centers across multiple specialties

Orthopedic Surgical First Assistants and Surgical Technologists both work in operating rooms, but the first assistant has advanced certifications and directly supports surgeons during orthopedic procedures. Surgical Technologists prepare the operating room and assist with instrument handling, but do not provide direct surgical assistance. The roles differ mainly in level of responsibility, certification, and scope of practice.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an orthopedic surgical first assistant?

To thrive as an Orthopedic Surgical First Assistant, you need advanced knowledge of surgical procedures, anatomy, and sterile techniques, typically supported by certification such as CSFA or SA-C and relevant clinical experience. Familiarity with surgical instruments, orthopedic-specific equipment, and electronic medical record (EMR) systems is crucial. Exceptional teamwork, communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are vital for ensuring patient safety, efficient surgical procedures, and effective collaboration with the surgical team.

What are some common challenges faced by orthopedic surgical first assistants during procedures, and how can they be addressed?

Orthopedic Surgical First Assistants often encounter challenges such as managing complex instrumentation, adapting to unexpected changes during surgery, and maintaining clear communication with surgeons and the operating room team. These challenges can be addressed by thorough preoperative preparation, continuous education on the latest surgical techniques, and fostering strong teamwork skills. Proactively anticipating the surgeon's needs and being adaptable in high-pressure situations are key to ensuring positive surgical outcomes and a smooth workflow.
More about Orthopedic Surgical First Assistant jobs
What cities are hiring for Orthopedic Surgical First Assistant jobs? Cities with the most Orthopedic Surgical First Assistant job openings:
What states have the most Orthopedic Surgical First Assistant jobs? States with the most job openings for Orthopedic Surgical First Assistant jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Orthopedic Surgical First Assistant jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Orthopedic Surgical First Assistant jobs are:
Orthopedic Surgical First Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Orthopedic Surgical First Assistant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% As Needed, 83% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $57,122 per year, or $27.5 per hour.

Surgical First Assistant

TriStar Centennial Medical Center

Lebanon, TN • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

TriStar Health rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 29 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Surgical First Assistant- FT Days

Do you want to join an organization that invests in you as a(an) Surgical First Assistant? At TriStar Centennial Medical Center, you come first. HCA Healthcare has committed up to $300 million in programs to support our incredible team members over the course of three years.

Job Summary and Qualifications

What qualifications you will need:


  • Basic Cardiac Life Support must be obtained within 30 days of employment start date
  • (CSA) Certified Surgical Assistant, or (CSFA) Certified Surgical First Assistant, or (SA-C) Surgical Assistant Certified, or (SA) Surgical Assistant must be obtained within 60 days of employment start date

No Travel Required

No experience Required Years of Experience

Benefits

TriStar Centennial Medical Center, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:

  • Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
  • Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
  • Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
  • Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
  • Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
  • Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts

Learn more about Employee Benefits

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.

TriStar Centennial Medical Center is a 740+ bed comprehensive facility. We offer medical and surgical programs. These include behavioral health and 24-hour emergency. These also include heart and vascular and imaging. These also include neurosciences, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, rehabilitation, sleep disorder, and women's services. We are an affiliate of TriStar Health. TriStar Centennial Medical Center is a 43-acre campus. We are home to TriStar Centennial Heart & Vascular Center. We are home to TriStar Centennial Women's Hospital. Our campus includes The Children's Hospital at TriStar Centennial, Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at TriStar Centennial Medical Center, TriStar Centennial Advanced Joint Replacement Institute and TriStar Centennial Parthenon Pavilion.

HCA Healthcare has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute for ten consecutive years (2010-2019). In 2019, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.


"Good people beget good people."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
HCA Healthcare Co-Founder

We are a family 270,000 dedicated professionals! Our Talent Acquisition team is reviewing applications for our Surgical First Assistant opening. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Submit your resume today to join our community of caring!

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

What TriStar Health employees say

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