Surgical First Assist

Surgical first assist students

Program Description

If you are a Certified Surgical Technologist and have at least two years experience and want to explore career options in the field, the Surgical First Assist program is 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 help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient.

This program is delivered online with the exception of lab. All students are required to travel to Lincoln to attend the lab portion of the course. Labs are in the afternoon the first week of the first semester.

Students are required to find surgeons to act as clinical preceptors, and a pre-approved clinical site in their area to achieve a required number of completed surgical procedures. At the end of the program, students will earn a Certificate in Surgical First Assist, and sit for the national certification exam before graduation.

Careers

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. Career options include:

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


Request More Information

Awards Offered: Certificate
Locations: Online
Formats: Online
Start: Spring
Schedule: Full-Time
Estimated Total Cost
$2,706 Certificate

The Surgical First Assist program is for the Certified Surgical Technologist looking for the next step in their career. This field allows for advanced critical thinking, knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and the entire surgical care of the patient. You will be a valued team member providing safe, quality patient care.

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

Admissions Resources:


Accreditation

CAAHEP logoThe 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

 

State Licensure or Certification Requirements

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.

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution

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.

For more information about the post-graduation achievements of SCC Graduates as well as average starting salaries, refer to the annual Graduate Report (PDF).

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.