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Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Draper, UT (NOW HIRING)

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Surgical First Assistant information

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$15

$35

$71

How much do surgical first assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for surgical first assistant in Draper, UT is $35.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.08 and $39.09 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a surgical first assistant?

A Surgical First Assistant is a trained healthcare professional who assists surgeons during surgical procedures. Their responsibilities include providing exposure, controlling bleeding, suturing incisions, and ensuring the surgical field is maintained. They work closely with surgeons, nurses, and other operating room staff to help ensure surgeries are conducted safely and efficiently. Surgical First Assistants may be registered nurses, physician assistants, or other certified professionals who have completed additional specialized training.

How do you become a surgical first assistant?

You can become a Surgical First Assistant by first getting certified as a Surgical Technologist. You can then pursue the Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) credential to enhance your learning process as well as your professional profile. The minimum education requirement for this job is an associate degree, but some employers will prefer a bachelor’s degree prior to your certification. At your earliest opportunity, you should begin working in a medical environment, such as a hospital or clinic.

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

To thrive as a Surgical First Assistant, you need in-depth knowledge of surgical procedures, anatomy, sterile techniques, and typically a certification such as the Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) or equivalent. Familiarity with surgical instruments, advanced suturing techniques, and operating room technology is essential. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and the ability to anticipate surgeons’ needs are vital soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities ensure patient safety, efficient surgical workflows, and optimal support for surgeons during procedures.

How does a surgical first assistant typically collaborate with surgeons and other members of the surgical team during procedures?

A Surgical First Assistant works closely with the lead surgeon and the entire operating room team to ensure procedures run smoothly and safely. Their responsibilities include anticipating the surgeon’s needs, providing technical support such as tissue retraction, suction, and suturing, and maintaining clear communication throughout the surgery. Collaboration requires adaptability, quick decision-making, and a thorough understanding of surgical protocols. Effective teamwork is vital, as the assistant helps maintain sterile fields, manages instruments, and supports patient safety at every stage of the operation.

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

AspectSurgical First AssistantSurgical Technologist
CredentialsCertified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA), surgical assisting certificationsCertified Surgical Technologist (CST), surgical tech certifications
Work EnvironmentAssist surgeons during procedures, work closely in the operating roomPrepare operating rooms, sterilize instruments, assist in setup
Employer & IndustryHospitals, surgical centers, clinicsHospitals, surgical centers, outpatient facilities
Common Search/ComparisonYesNo

The Surgical First Assistant and Surgical Technologist roles both operate in the operating room environment but differ significantly. Surgical First Assistants actively assist surgeons during procedures, requiring advanced certifications like CSFA. Surgical Technologists prepare the OR and support the surgical team but do not directly assist during surgery. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

Is a surgical first assistant a good career?

A surgical first assistant is a skilled healthcare professional who supports surgeons during procedures, requiring certification and knowledge of surgical techniques. It offers a stable job outlook with opportunities for specialization and advancement, often involving working in operating rooms with a team. The role provides meaningful work in patient care and typically involves a demanding schedule with high responsibility.

What qualifications do you need to be a surgical first assistant?

To become a surgical first assistant, candidates typically need to have a healthcare background such as a registered nurse, surgical technologist, or physician assistant, along with specialized training in surgical assisting. Certification through organizations like the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) or the American Association of Surgical Assistants (AASA) is often required or preferred. Additionally, strong knowledge of surgical procedures, anatomy, and sterile techniques is essential.

Where do surgical first assistants make the most money?

Surgical first assistants tend to earn higher salaries in regions with a higher cost of living and greater demand for specialized healthcare services. Typically, urban areas and regions with large hospitals or medical centers offer the highest compensation, especially for those with advanced certifications and experience. Salary can also vary based on the healthcare facility and geographic demand for surgical services.

What cities near Draper, UT are hiring for Surgical First Assistant jobs?

Cities near Draper, UT with the most Surgical First Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Surgical First Assistant job openings in Draper, UT as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 18% As Needed, 40% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $73,213 per year, or $35.2 per hour.

Labor and Delivery Technician, Non-Certified

University of Utah Health

Salt Lake City, UT • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


University Of Utah rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 159 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

385th of 620 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Overview
As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA
This position is responsible for a variety of important functions on Labor & Delivery and in OB Emergency Services. This position provides assistive care to patients. The certified incumbent facilitates the efficient delivery of patient care, supports the professional role of the licensed staff, and provides support and assistance as directed by licensed staff in rendering basic healthcare to the patient including assisting with surgical procedures in the OR as the first assist to the physician. This position also assists with clerical functions as a multi-skilled auxiliary worker. This position may be required to access and administer medications within their scope of practice and according to state law.
Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions
  • Prepares patients for examinations and diagnostic procedures according to clinic procedures such as recording temperatures, pulse rate, blood pressure and responses to standardized medical history questions.
  • Reports all observed patient concerns and changes in condition to a licensed staff member.
  • Performs Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Waved Lab tests as identified by department and reports results to the appropriate personnel. May perform patient phlebotomies in accordance with clinic procedures and physician orders after specialized training.
  • Performs additional skills such as suture removal, straight catheterization and injections (IM, Subq and intra-dermal).
  • Acts as a chaperone for health care providers during patient examination as requested and assists with procedures.
  • Monitors and cleans assigned patient examination rooms, unit areas and unit equipment reporting outdated supplies, stock levels and restock set levels of items and necessary equipment repairs.
  • Answers telephones, forwards telephone messages and under the direction of licensed staff schedules appointments, procedures and diagnostic tests.
  • Assists in post-partum hemorrhage situations by obtaining postpartum hemorrhage cart, quantify blood loss, prepare the OR for an emergency hysterectomy, obtain blood from blood bank, scrub the hysterectomy as the attending physicians first assist.
  • Assists with all operating room procedures (cesarean sections, tubal ligations, dilation and evacuations, 4th degree lacerations, all multiple birth deliveries, hysterectomy).
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities
  • Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above.
  • Demonstrated phlebotomy skills.
  • Demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in the specific clinic's specialty skills within six (6) weeks of hire. *Specialty skills may not be performed until after the new hire completed basic competency testing*
  • Incumbents face exposure to potentially dangerous contaminated bodily fluids, blood, used needles and other contaminants as part of the daily hazards of the job.
  • Ability to withstand the physical demand of being on your feet for long periods of time, of moving and lifting patients and of reaching for and handling equipment.
  • This position has the authority to identify to operating room staff when there is a break in the sterile field and to take appropriate corrective measures. This requires good interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy.
  • Ability to maintain a fast/rapid pace as well as working for multiple surgeons and anticipating their individual needs and preferences.
  • Ability to ensure the proper care, maintenance and coordination of surgical instruments and supplies.
  • The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.
  • The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.

Qualifications
Required
  • Completion of in-house surgical technician training within six (6) weeks of hire.
And one of the following:
  • Completion of a Medical Assistant (MA) program.
  • Current certification as an Advanced EMT in the State of Utah.
  • Current certification as a Paramedic in the State of Utah.
Licenses Required
  • Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.
Qualifications (Preferred)
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.
  • This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving patients or objects, such as medical equipment, while providing patient care. Workers in this position may be exposed to infectious diseases and may be required to function around prisoners or behavioral health patients.

Physical Requirements
Carrying, Climbing, Color Determination, Crawling, Lifting, Listening, Manual Dexterity, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Stooping and Crouching, Walking

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About University of Utah

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Utah is the state’s flagship institution of higher education, with 18 schools and colleges, more than 100 undergraduate majors and graduate programs, and an enrollment of more than 38,000 students. It is a member of the Association of American Universities—an invitation-only, prestigious group of 71 leading research institutions. The U is advancing a new national model for higher education that delivers societal impact through education, research, health care, and community service, while making social, economic, and cultural contributions that improve lives across Utah and around the world.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Salt Lake City, UT, US