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Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Howell, MI (NOW HIRING)

ILLUUM COSMETIC SURGERY

OR FIRST ASSIST

Novi, MI

  • PTO

New plastic surgery practice open in Novi, MICompetitive compensation and benefitsAn opportunity to ... EducationCurrent Michigan RN license, BSN preferredRegistered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) and/or ...

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Surgical First Assistant information

See Howell, MI salary details

$15

$35

$71

How much do surgical first assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for surgical first assistant in Howell, MI is $35.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.12 and $39.13 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Where do surgical first assistants make the most money?

Surgical first assistants tend to earn higher salaries in regions with a high cost of living and greater demand for specialized healthcare services, such as metropolitan areas with large hospitals and medical centers. Factors like experience, certifications, and working in specialized surgical fields can also influence earning potential.

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 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 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.

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.

Is a surgical first assistant a good career?

A surgical first assistant is a skilled healthcare professional who supports surgeons during operations, requiring certification and knowledge of surgical procedures. It offers a stable job outlook with opportunities for specialization and advancement, often involving working in hospitals or surgical centers. The role demands strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in high-pressure environments.

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.

More about Surgical First Assistant jobs

What cities near Howell, MI are hiring for Surgical First Assistant jobs?

Cities near Howell, MI with the most Surgical First Assistant job openings:

Surgical First Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Surgical First Assistant job openings in Howell, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $73,286 per year, or $35.2 per hour.

Full-Time General Surgery | Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant | Henry Ford Providence Novi Ho

Henry Ford Health System

Novi, MI • On-site

$102K - $132K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Henry Ford Health rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 565 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

414th of 887 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Location: HF Providence Novi Hospital | 47601 Grand River Ave Novi, MI 48374
Status: Full-Time | Day Shift
Schedule: Three, 13.5 hour shifts per week (Monday - Friday) with additional night/weekend on-call for OR surgical assisting.
Setting: 100% Inpatient & ED Consults | Mostly Adult patients with occasional pediatric age of 14 and up.
Call/Weekends:
Weekend: on-call only. Approx. 1 weekend day per month, scheduled in advance.
Call: on-call from home approx. 4-5 times per month. Report in only for OR surgical assisting. Scheduled in advance, report time is 1-hour.
Position Overview:
Henry Ford Health System is seeking a full-time Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner to join our General Surgery team. This opportunity offers exposure to a fast-paced, highly skilled surgical service supporting specialties including general, HPB, colorectal, vascular, thoracic, breast, and select plastic surgery cases.
Responsibilities include daily rounding on pre- and post-operative patients, progress notes, order entry, bedside procedures, ED and inpatient consults, surgical first assisting as needed, and collaboration with residents and attending surgeons. The role also includes rotating at-home call coverage for emergent overnight, weekend, and holiday OR cases (1-hour response time).
Frequent opportunities exist to perform bedside procedures including I&Ds, wound debridement, chest tube placement, central line placement, Foley catheter placement, and wound VAC management.
Why Henry Ford Health
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits
• Supportive, collaborative systemwide team
• Meaningful impact on employee health and safety
Employment contingent upon credentialing and completion of Employee Health screening per HFHS policy.
Qualifications:
  • PA graduate from an accredited program
  • NP graduate from an accredited program AND prior surgical assist experience.
  • Current Michigan licensure
  • National certification (ANCC, AANP, or NCCPA)
  • BLS required; ACLS required (or obtained after hire)
  • Prior surgical 1st assist experience, required.
  • 2 years of prior surgical 1st assist experience, experience with bedside procedures, wound debridement, chest tube placement, central line placement, foley catheter placement wound vac placement, preferred.
  • 2 years prior acute care experience, preferred.

Education & Training
• Nurse Practitioner (NP): Completion of a Nurse Practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)
• Physician Assistant (PA): Completion of a Physician Assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
Licensure
• Current licensure as a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant in the State of Michigan, or in the process of applying (proof of application required)
Certification
• NP: National certification by a certification body recognized by the State of Michigan (e.g., ANCC, AANP)
• PA: Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
Required Certifications
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) - required
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) - required (may be obtained after hire)

DEA / Controlled Substance Licensure
  • PA: DEA and Michigan Controlled Substance License (CSL) required through credentialing
  • NP: DEA registration required through credentialing; NPs do not hold a Michigan CSL and will use their Michigan license number during the application process

What Henry Ford Health employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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About Henry Ford Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Henry Ford Health provides a full continuum of services from Primary and Preventative care, to Complex and Cpecialty care, Health Insurance, a full suite of home health offerings, Virtual care, Pharmacy, Eye care and other Healthcare retail. It is one of the Nation’s leading Academic Medical Centers, recognized for Clinical excellence in Cancer care, Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Orthopedics and Sports medicine, and Multi organ transplants. Consistently ranked among the top five NIH funded institutions in Michigan, Henry Ford Health engages in more than 2,000 research projects annually. Equally committed to educating the next generation of Health Professionals, Henry Ford Health trains more than 4,000 Medical students, Residents and fellows every year across 50+ accredited programs. With more than 33,000 valued team members, Henry Ford Health is also among Michigan’s largest and most Diverse employers, including nearly 6,000 physicians and researchers from the Henry Ford Medical Group, Henry Ford Physician Network and Jackson Health Network.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Detroit, MI, US

Year founded

1915

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