Surgical assistants should make sure they have their college transcripts and documentation of their certification ready to include with resumes and other information sent to potential employers.Ä«ecause cleanliness is an important part of surgical assistant work, job applicants should maintain good personal hygiene. Many surgical assistants get their first jobs out of college through internship programs.
Surgical assistants looking for a job would be advised to consult with professional groups such as the Association of Surgical Assistants or by checking online medical job sites. Surgical assistants must have either the Certified First Assistant or Certified Surgical Assistant credential. Surgical assistants typically have a four-year degree in science, nursing, physician assisting or a related field and also complete a 10 to 22 month training course. Surgical assistants need a firm grounding in science and biology and must take licensing tests before being allowed to work. Surgical assistants often interview patients before and after surgery, compiling data about health history, results, and more. Surgical assistants also perform important duties before and after operations, such as selecting the equipment needed for a procedure and ensuring that it is sterile, placing charts and x-rays nearby for quick reference, monitoring patients’ wound dressings and condition after surgery and more.