Surgical Assistants
Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. May, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, and apply dressings to surgical site.
28 alternate job titles:
Salary Information
Surgical Assistants: $60,290 (median) per year.
Starting salary (10th percentile).
Required expreience: Varies by Company
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
| Task Description | Category |
|---|---|
| Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment. | General |
| Operate on patients to treat conditions. | General |
| Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery. | General |
| Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment. | General |
| Protect patients or staff members using safety equipment. | General |
| Position patients for treatment or examination. | General |
| Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment. | General |
| Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain. | General |
| Administer intravenous medications. | General |
| Apply bandages, dressings, or splints. | General |
| Treat acute illnesses, infections, or injuries. | General |
| Administer blood or other fluids intravenously. | General |
| Implement advanced life support techniques. | General |
| Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use. | General |
| Administer basic health care or medical treatments. | General |
| Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation. | General |
| Sterilize medical equipment or instruments. | General |
| Prepare patients physically for medical procedures. | General |
| Move patients to or from treatment areas. | General |
| Verify accuracy of patient information. | General |
| Adjust building climate control systems. | Development |
| Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments. | Maintenance |
| Monitor patients following surgeries or other treatments. | Maintenance |
| Maintain sterile operative fields. | Maintenance |
| Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities. | Maintenance |
| Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment. | Maintenance |
| Assess skin or hair conditions. | Analysis |
Technology Requirements
| Technology | Description |
|---|---|
| MEDITECH software | Medical software |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software |
| Electronic medical record EMR software | Medical software |
| Nursing documentation software | Medical software |
| Patient scheduling software | Medical software |
| Patient tracking software | Medical software |
| Supply documentation software | Medical software |
| Surgery workflow communication software | Medical software |
| Word processing software | Word processing software |
Relevant Certifications
Industry certifications that may be valuable for this career role:
| Certification | Issuing Organization | Practice Test |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator | American Board for Transplant Certification | Not Available |
| Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator | American Board for Transplant Certification | Not Available |
| Certified Surgical Assistant | American Board of Surgical Assistants | Not Available |
| Certified Surgical First Assistant | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting | Not Available |
| Certified Surgical Technologist | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting | Not Available |
| Certified Transplant Preservationist | American Board for Transplant Certification | Not Available |
| Ophthalmic Surgical Assisting | Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology | Not Available |
| Orthopaedic Technologist-Surgery Certified | National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Technololgists | Not Available |