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Surgical First Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

TNAA

Operating Room (OR) Registered Nurse RN

Pomona, CA · On-site

$2.1K/wk

Inventory of surgical items pre- and post-procedure. Additional duties for RN First Assistant may include: * Assist physicians by delivering direct surgical care. * Help control bleeding. * Suture ...

Arrowhead Orthopaedics

Physician Assistant

Redlands, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

... in surgical procedures, and delivering patient education under the supervising physician ... Perform first-assist duties in the operating room, including exposure, retraction, suturing, and ...

Arrowhead Orthopaedics

Physician Assistant

Redlands, CA · On-site

$100K - $136K/yr

... in surgical procedures, and delivering patient education under the supervising physician ... Perform first-assist duties in the operating room, including exposure, retraction, suturing, and ...

Arrowhead Orthopaedics

Physician Assistant

Redlands, CA · On-site

$100K - $136K/yr

... in surgical procedures, and delivering patient education under the supervising physician ... Perform first-assist duties in the operating room, including exposure, retraction, suturing, and ...

UC Irvine

Physician Assistant, Spine Service

Orange, CA

$106K - $144K/yr

The Physician Assistant will have the opportunity to serve as first assistant in surgery under the supervision of the attending physician and will perform complex orthopaedic and other medical ...

Allied OMS LLC

Surgical Assistant

Chino Hills, CA · On-site

We seek a dedicated and detail-oriented Surgical Assistant to join our dynamic team at Aurora Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. In this role, you will support our oral surgeons critically, ensuring ...

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All JobsSurgical First Assistant JobsSurgical First Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA

Surgical First Assistant information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$17

$39

$79

How much do surgical first assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for surgical first assistant in Riverside, CA is $39.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31.35 and $43.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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 are popular job titles related to Surgical First Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA? For Surgical First Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Surgical First Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Surgical First Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Surgical First Assistant jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Surgical First Assistant job openings:
Surgical First Assistant jobs near you

Locum - NPPA - Surgeon - Cardiothoracic San Bernardino CA

Bestica Healthcare

San Bernardino, CA

$270 - $285/hr

Other

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Cardiothoracic Surgeon Opportunity

DHMF inland Empire is looking for a Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant Cardiothoracic Surgeon to start as soon as credentialed for six months.

Rate Caps for Submission (strictly follow):

  • Malpractice – Must be included in rates.
  • Orientation – $135-142.50 - half the hourly/callback rate, kicks in after eight hours. "Per hour of orientation or training beyond eight hours"
  • On Call (Daily) – $1,700-$2,000 - "Per 24 hours to include four hours gratis"
  • 24 Hour Holiday Call Rate - $2,550-3000 - "Per 24 hours to include four hours gratis"
  • Call Back – $270-$285 – "Per hour of patient contact hours, after gratis hours are completed, gratis prorate to MSA terms."
  • Holiday Call Back – $405-427.50 – "Per holiday hour of patient contact hours, after gratis hours are completed, gratis prorate to MSA terms."

Schedule/Availability Requirements:

  • Start: ASAP - As soon as credentialed, credentialing can take 90 days, please make interested providers aware
  • Duration: Six months
  • Shift times: 24 hour - 7am to 7am
  • Frequency: Four shifts per month
  • Facility Location: Inland Empire - San Bernardino, CA
  • Setting: Hospital and Medical Office
  • FTE: 1.0
  • # Providers Needed: 1

Duties: Surgery first assist, hospital rounding, on call, rooming, charting

Required Procedures: CABG, AVRs, Lung

EMR: Cerner

Patients per Day: 4-5

Support Staff: Three other APPs

Reason for Coverage: APP left out of state, have a replacement lined up

Deal Breakers: No surgical experience

Additional Details / Questions Answered by Facility:

  • Is the facility looking for the provider to cover general surgery, trauma, and ICU? General Surgery
  • Is Vein Harvesting a requirement? Yes
  • Is the provider expected to round on their patients daily? Yes
  • Is the 24-hr call in house or beeper? They will call or page you if needed
  • Are there a peds and burn surgeons, or would that be the responsibility of the trauma surgeon? Not our responsibility
  • Would you consider a candidate that is BC in General Surgery but did a CT Surgery fellowship? Yes
  • Are providers expected to round on their shift dates? Yes

Travel Preferences:

  • Preferred Lodging: Hampton Inn San Bernardino or nearby the hospital (within 15 mins of hospital)
  • Air Travel: Local, no flights HIGHLY PREFERRED

Credentialing Information:

  • Timeframe: Can take up to 90+ days
  • Requirements: Emphasize to candidate that credentialing takes at least (90) once a completed packet is received DHMF packet required; St. Bernadine packet required if practice includes inpatient work &/or Hospital credentialing
  • Credentialing with other facilities? St Bernardines Hospital and DHMF
  • Billing enrollment: Is this position providing services in lieu of an existing enrolled provider for a period of 60 days or less? No
  • Requirement description: Board Certification – BC in CT [Required] will consider a candidate BC in General Surgery but did a CT Surgery Fellowship [Required] State License – CA [Required] Other Certifications – BLS [Required during credentialing] Self-Query NPDB report is mandatory at the time of presentation. The Self-Query NPDB report must be dated within 30 days of the presentation date.

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