Since 2007, San Juan College has provided an accredited Surgical Technologist program, which takes an average of two years to complete, including prerequisite courses. The first assistant should be a trained individual who is able to participate in and actively assist the surgeon in completing the operation safely and expeditiously by helping to provide exposure, maintain hemostasis, and serve other technical functions.” “Prior to entering the profession, leadership skills and experience as a surgical tech or other operating room professional, is required.

“A surgical First Assistant is not considered to be an entry level position,” explains Powell. Under direct and indirect supervision of the surgeon, surgical first assistants provide the surgeon with hands-on support with vital tasks from pre-operative to post-operative procedures, including hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions. Overall, the resources of hospitals are diminishing but the need for quality patient care will continue to grow.” “The importance of utilizing qualified surgical assistants is increasing as communities confront a decrease in the number of surgeons.

“The need for Surgical First Assistants continues to grow,” says Lydell Powell, Surgical First Assistant instructor and program coordinator.

San Juan College answered the demand by creating the new online program earlier this year, allowing students from across the nation to earn their credential as a CSFA (Certified Surgical First Assistant). San Juan College has the only online Surgical First Assistant program located in the Southwestern part of the United States. The new online Surgical First Assistant program at San Juan College gives operating room healthcare professionals the opportunity to enhance their career and take their profession to the next level.

First assistant program