#Surgical first assistant certification skin

Though each route has its pro’s and con’s, some require more training time and education than others.Ĭertified Surgical Assistant – Surgical techs who decide they want a more hand’s on role in operating room often times opt for this route. There are typically three main ways to become a surgical first assistant. In addition, an experienced surgical first assistant will have opportunities to work in the areas of education as a teacher or to use their expertise in the fields of hospital and clinic management. Surgical First Assistants can add to their usefulness and odds of employment by learning the skills to be a specializing surgical first assistant in some of the following specialties: Surgical First Assistant Fields of Specialization Immobilizing patients on the operating table.Hemostasis: The stopping of excess bleeding and blood flow.Performing or aiding in patient suction, drainage and irrigation.Applying direct pressure on veins and tissue.

#Surgical first assistant certification skin

Closing skin with adhesives, sutures or staples etc.

Positioning patient to maintain circulation and access for surgeon.While first assistants are expected to perform different tasks at different medical locations, they are generally trained and certified to perform and be proficient in the following tasks among others: Duties of a Surgical First AssistantĪ Surgical First Assistant is usually the surgical assistant with the highest level of expertise and training. Because the surgical first assistant job requires such honed skills and specific training, the salary range is generally above the pay grade for surgical techs, surgical second assistants, entry level assistants or physicians assistants. In this high precision role, the assistant (or SA) works closely with the surgeon in a hands-on capacity, helping the surgeon by handling vital tasks such as prepping the patient for surgery, providing suturing, clamping, removing scar tissue and positioning patients during surgery to ensure a safe operation. While both life-saving positions are important to any operating theater, the surgical tech job description typically focuses more on the sterility of the procedure and other more clinical aspects. Put broadly, if a surgical tech is responsible for the tools a surgeon uses during a procedure and the surgical first assistant (or just surgical assistant) helps out with the actual surgery itself.