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  • Surgical First Assist.
    96% Graduate Employment/Transfer rate
    That's right! Ninety-six percent of SCC's 2021 graduates found work or continued their education.
    Graduate Report
     Health Sciences Animated Walk Through.
    Health Sciences Animated Walk Through. 
    Surgical First Assist.
    96% Graduate Employment/Transfer rate
    That's right! Ninety-six percent of SCC's 2021 graduates found work or continued their education.
    Graduate Report
    Surgical First Assist.
    96% Graduate Employment/Transfer rate
    That's right! Ninety-six percent of SCC's 2021 graduates found work or continued their education.
    Graduate Report
     

Surgical First Assist

  •  Estimated Cost: $2,767

    Program Length: 1 semesters + 1 summer term

    Locations: Online + Labs

    Start Term(s): Spring

    Awards Offered: Cert

    Program Description

    If you are a certified surgical technologist and have at least 3 years experience and want to explore career options in the field, the Surgical First Assist program is just right for you. You must hold a current NBSTSA certification in Surgical Technology in order to enroll. Your role on the surgical team is to carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient.

    The program is online with five afternoons of lab the first week of Spring Semester. You are required to travel to the Lincoln campus to complete the lab portion. While you will be taking your classes online, you will be required to have the  midterm and final exams proctored. At the end of the program, you will earn a Certificate in Surgical First Assist,  and sit for your national certification exam before graduation.

    Request More Information

    If you’d like more information about the program and program policies, please review the Surgical First Assist Program Student Handbook (PDF).

    Our Surgical First Assist program expands career opportunities for certified surgical technologists. The Surgical First Assistant is a highly skilled professional, trained and educated to function as a valuable and integral part of the surgical team. You will be a successful Surgical First Assistant if you:

    • are able to execute the responsibilities of the program regarding attendance, assignments and record keeping
    • possess the ability to multitask efficiently
    • have the endurance to stand an entire shift if needed
    • are able to work efficiently with your hands
    • are detail oriented and able to work on a team
    • are able to communicate effectively (both verbal and written)
    • understand problem sensitivity (ability to tell when something is wrong or likely to go wrong)
    • have a strong commitment to patient safety
    • must be able to make decisions based on the use of logic and analytical skills

    START HERE: Please follow the steps on the Get Started Checklist (PDF) to complete the program application process.

    Admissions Resources:

    Learn more about the Surgical First Assisting profession by completing this Professional Awareness Activity (PDF).

    A Surgical First Assistant provides aid in exposure, hemostasis and other technical functions to help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. Employment of Surgical First Assistants is projected to grow 31.2% from 2017-2027 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Recent graduates reported an average salary of $34,736. Career options include:

    • Certified Surgical First Assistant in a hospital, surgery center, doctor's office or labor and delivery
    • Private Certified Surgical First Assistant
    • Certified Surgical First Assistant Clinical Preceptor, Clinical Instructor or Program Director

    The Surgical First Assist program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accrediting Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

    Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
    9355 113th St. N, #7709
    Seminole, FL 33775
    Phone: 727-210-2350
    Fax: 727-210-2354
    mail@caahep.org

    CAAHEP-logo-web

    Surgical First Assist Program Outcomes (PDF)

    The Surgical First Assist program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Students completing this program will sit for the National Surgical First Assist Certification exam. This is a national certification and is accepted in all 50 states. Privileges may vary by state, depending on each state’s laws and guidelines. Nebraska State License required to practice in Nebraska.
    Southeast Community College is a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution (NC-SARA) institution. As such, SCC is unable to offer online or distance courses to students in the following areas at this time: American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    Amy Goracke, CST/CSFA
    Surgical First Assist Program Chair
    8800 O Street
    Lincoln, NE 68520
    402-437-2285
    agoracke@southeast.edu
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    For more information about the post-graduation achievements of SCC Graduates as well as average starting salaries, refer to the annual Graduate Report.

    For information about the methodologies used to gather the post-graduation student achievement data contained in the annual Graduate Report, refer to the Institutional Research page or contact ir@southeast.edu.