Also called: Certified Surgical First Assistant, CSFA
Works directly beside the surgeon, holding tissue back, controlling bleeding, and closing incisions.
Positions the patient, makes the camera ports in laparoscopic surgery, retracts organs so the surgeon can see, and sews up the incision at the end.
BLS May 2024 (surgical assistants).
Certificate, about 3 years after high school. Surgical tech experience plus a surgical assisting program and certification.
Ways in: Certification, 2-year college, Military. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Surgical Technology, Surgical Assisting.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Robotic surgery changes how assisting works, but retracting, controlling bleeding and closing incisions stay hands-on.
Classes: Anatomy & physiology, Biology, Health science CTE, Art (fine motor skills).
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-9093.
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