Surgical First Assisting
The Surgical First Assistant provides aid in exposure, hemostasis, and other technical functions that will help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. This role will vary considerably with the surgical operation, specialty area, and type of facility. Clinical skills performed under direct supervision of the surgeon include the following: positioning the patient, preparing the skin, providing visualization of the operative site, utilizing appropriate techniques to assist with hemostasis, participating in volume replacement or auto transfusion techniques as appropriate, utilizing appropriate techniques in the closure of body planes, selecting and applying appropriate wound dressings and providing assistance in securing drainage system to tissue.
This program provides clinical experience built upon classroom instruction in the basic sciences, patient care, aseptic techniques and surgical procedures.
Students enrolled in the Surgical First Assistant Program are required to achieve a minimum grade of “C” in each Surgical First Assistant course.
Graduates from the program are eligible to take the certifying exams offered by the National Surgical Assistant Association (CSA) or the National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assistants (CSFA).