It is possible to become a surgical assistant by attending an accredited school and earning your diploma. There are many schools that offer the program, and some states require that you attend a school that has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). A CAAHEP-accredited school will help ensure that you receive the proper training.
The first step in becoming a surgical assistant is to choose a school. After you have selected a school, you can start looking into financial aid options. Some schools offer scholarships or grants to help cover costs, so it’s important to check into this before applying.
Once you have decided which school you want to attend, go ahead and apply! Some schools require letters of recommendation from previous employers or other professionals who can speak on your behalf. You may also be required to take an entrance exam before being accepted into the program.
Once accepted into the program, it’s time to hit the books! You’ll be required to take classes like anatomy and physiology, as well as medical terminology and ethics courses throughout your studies in order to graduate successfully. Once graduation day arrives, it’s time for clinical experience! Clinical.
How To Become A Surgical Assistant
What Does a Surgical Assistant Do?
A surgical assistant is a health professional who works under the direction of a surgeon and assists in performing technical surgical functions, such as retracting tissues and organs, cutting tissue, draining fluids, inserting and removing catheters, placing tourniquets, closing wounds and performing resuscitation as needed. During the operation, you may assist the surgeon by handing them various instruments. They apply bandages and additional dressings to the site of the incision. Other duties you may perform as a surgical assistant include selecting the appropriate instruments for each procedure, positioning and draping patients, confirming the procedure with the surgeon and selecting reference x-rays. You may assist in a specific type of surgery, such as orthopedic, obstetrical, craniofacial, cardiac, plastic, vascular or trauma surgery. You’ll play an integral role in minimizing a patient’s risk for nerve damage, decreased circulation and other health problems during his or her procedure.
Surgical Assistant Requirements and Job Facts
| Degree Required | Associate’s or bachelor’s degree as prerequisite Graduation from surgical assistant program |
| Education Field of Study | Surgical assisting |
| Prerequisites | Experience in a surgery-related career (surgical tech, registered nurse, physician assistant) before enrolling in a surgical assistant program |
| Key Responsibilities | Prepare patients for surgery Prepare operating room for procedure Assist surgical team with sutures, tissues retraction, cauterization and other procedures |
| Certification | Certification required |
| Mean Salary (2019) | $115,000* |
Source: *Salary.com
How to Become a Surgical Assistant: 5 Steps
Step 1: Research Surgical Assistant Education Requirements
A surgical assistant is an advanced medical position requiring experience in a preliminary career involving surgery. Surgical assistants often begin their careers as surgical technologists, gaining operating room experience before attending a surgical assisting program. Other common routes to a surgical assistant position include first working as a registered nurse (RN) or physician assistant (PA).
Surgical assisting programs vary in their admission requirements but typically require at least an associate’s degree if not a bachelor’s degree, as well as experience working in a surgical environment. Experience as a military medic may also qualify an individual for a surgical assistant program. If you wish to pursue a career as a surgical assistant, you must first choose a preliminary field and obtain education, certification, and experience working in that career.
Step 2: Pursue Prerequisite Education
Once you’ve decided which preliminary career you’d like to pursue to gain operating room experience, you can enroll in a degree or training program to become a surgical technologist, RN, or PA. These programs typically include both classroom and clinical instruction. Your curriculum will likely include science courses such as microbiology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology, as well as hands-on experience working with patients and equipment.
Step 3: Gain Operating Room Experience
Most surgical assisting programs require operating room experience as a prerequisite, so you’ll need to find employment after obtaining your preliminary degree. Some programs require at least three years of operating room experience. You should form good relationships with your employer and surgeons that you work with, since you may need to obtain letters of recommendation from them.
Step 4: Obtain a Surgical Assistant Degree or Certificate
Surgical assisting programs take 1-2 years to complete, and they typically result in a certificate upon completion. Coursework may include microbiology, anesthesia methods, pharmacology and wound closure techniques. You’ll also receive clinical instruction in surgical assisting. Additional requirements may include passing a physical exam, earning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification, obtaining health insurance, getting vaccinated and passing a drug screening.
Step 5: Earn Certification
Certification in surgical assisting is offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) and the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA). Each of these organizations requires that you periodically renew your certification. You may need to earn continuing education credits or take an examination to recertify.
