Surgical Assistant Certification Guide
Surgical assistants are experts in providing hands-on assistance and critical support to surgeons during operations. They are also called first assists and are often the closest person to the action during surgeries, besides the surgeon! Surgical assistants have a steady hand, are calm under pressure, and are instrumental to the success of surgical procedures.
Is this career path a good fit for you? The operating room is highly specialized, fast-paced, and filled with opportunities for growth. Obtaining certification and licensure are essential steps in your journey to becoming a surgical assistant.
Licensure is a requirement in several states, and certification is needed for many surgical assist jobs. We’ll walk you through both processes below– let’s get started! Don’t forget to check out our Surgical Assistant Career Guide for more.
Certification allows you to make the most out of your surgical assistant career, recognizing you as an expert in your field with exemplary knowledge and skills. Certified surgical assistants stand out amongst the competition, have the opportunity to move into leadership or supervisor roles, and often earn more money.
If you want to take your skills on the road as a surgical assistant traveler, certification is required for many jobs. For travel job postings that do not require certification, Trusted requires at least five years of experience in lieu of certification.
Becoming a surgical assistant or surgical first assist begins with a high school diploma. After that, here are your next steps:
No matter where you work as a surgical assist, a high school diploma, degree, and training program are required. Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification and blood-borne pathogen training are also needed before you begin working.
Certification is required for many surgical assistant jobs. It is also one of the best choices you can make to elevate your career. Remember, certification is typically required if you choose to travel with Trusted. In cases where a Trusted surgical assistant job posting doesn’t require certification, five years of experience is needed.
The Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) certification is offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). CSFA certification is the gold standard in surgical assisting.
The Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) credential is offered through the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants.
The American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) certification is offered throught the American Board of Surgical Assistants.
At this time, eight states require a surgical assistant license. Each state has a slightly different path to licensure and varying surgical assistant requirements, so be sure to know what’s needed for your state. You can always find the most up-to-date information on each state’s website, which we’ve linked below.
Once you obtain your surgical assistant certification, take a moment to congratulate yourself on this significant milestone in your career! Your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed. Don’t forget to renew your credential before it expires.
If you work in a state where licensure is required, follow the necessary steps and start your job search. Remember, your license will need to be renewed in addition to your certification. Continue to seek out new opportunities, skills, and knowledge in your career as a surgical assistant!
Starting your job search as a traveling surgical assistant is the first step towards the experience of a lifetime! At Trusted, we are here to help you at every step of the way. We are proud to offer premium pay, outstanding benefits, and unmatched clinical support. We can’t wait to hear from you.
Begin your travel surgical assistant job search today!
