# 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.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 29-9093.00
- **Summary:** 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.

## Aliases

- Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA)
- Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA)
- Surgical First Assistant
- Surgical Technician (Surgical Tech)
- Certified First Assistant (CFA)
- Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA)
- Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA)
- Certified Surgical Technician
- Gastrointestinal Technician (GI Technician)
- Surgical Scrub Technician (Surgical Scrub Tech)
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Clinical Assistant

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Verify the identity of patient or operative site. | Core | 4.A.2.a.2.e |
| Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures. | Core | 4.A.4.a.5.k |
| Coordinate or participate in the positioning of patients, using body stabilizing equipment or protective padding to provide appropriate exposure for the procedure or to protect against nerve damage or circulation impairment. | Core | 4.A.2.a.3.d |
| Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field. | Core | 4.A.4.a.5.k |
| Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.d |
| Apply sutures, staples, clips, or other materials to close skin, facia, or subcutaneous wound layers. | Core | 4.A.4.a.5.l |
| Prepare and apply sterile wound dressings. | Core | 4.A.4.a.5.c |
| Discuss with surgeon the nature of the surgical procedure, including operative consent, methods of operative exposure, diagnostic or laboratory data, or patient-advanced directives or other needs. | Core | 4.A.4.a.2.d |
| Determine availability of necessary equipment or supplies for operative procedures. | Core | 4.A.4.c.3.a |
| Clamp, ligate, or cauterize blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry, using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, or electrocautery equipment. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.d |
| Assess skin integrity or other body conditions upon completion of the procedure to determine if damage has occurred from body positioning. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.e |
| Assist with patient resuscitation during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events. | Core | 4.A.4.a.5.g |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Adjust building climate control systems. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Operate on patients to treat conditions. | 4.A.4.a.5.l |
| Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments. | 4.A.1.a.2.e |
| Monitor patients following surgeries or other treatments. | 4.A.1.a.2.e |
| Assess skin or hair conditions. | 4.A.2.a.1.f |
| Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery. | 4.A.4.a.5.k |
| Maintain sterile operative fields. | 4.A.4.a.5.k |
| Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.d |
| Protect patients or staff members using safety equipment. | 4.A.2.a.3.d |
| Position patients for treatment or examination. | 4.A.4.a.5.k |
| Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment. | 4.A.4.a.2.d |
| Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities. | 4.A.1.a.2.e |
| Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain. | 4.A.4.a.5.c |
| Administer intravenous medications. | 4.A.4.a.5.c |
| Apply bandages, dressings, or splints. | 4.A.4.a.5.c |
| Treat acute illnesses, infections, or injuries. | 4.A.4.a.5.l |
| Administer blood or other fluids intravenously. | 4.A.4.a.5.c |
| Implement advanced life support techniques. | 4.A.4.a.5.g |
| Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment. | 4.A.4.c.3.a |
| Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use. | 4.A.3.a.2.k |
| Administer basic health care or medical treatments. | 4.A.4.a.5.c |
| Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation. | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Sterilize medical equipment or instruments. | 4.A.3.a.1.i |
| Prepare patients physically for medical procedures. | 4.A.4.a.5.k |
| Move patients to or from treatment areas. | 4.A.3.a.1.m |
| Verify accuracy of patient information. | 4.A.2.a.2.e |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Medicine and Dentistry | knowledge | 4.22 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 4.12 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 4 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 4 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 4 |
| Near Vision | ability | 4 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 3.97 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.88 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.88 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.88 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.75 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.75 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | ability | 3.75 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.75 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.62 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.62 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.62 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.62 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.62 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.59 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.5 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.5 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.5 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.5 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Service Orientation | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Biology | knowledge | 3.38 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3.38 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3.38 |
| Education and Training | knowledge | 3.36 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.25 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.25 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | ability | 3.25 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Learning Strategies | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Social Perceptiveness | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.12 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |
| Medical Software | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| MEDITECH software | Medical software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| Electronic medical record EMR software | Medical software | no | no |
| Nursing documentation software | Medical software | no | no |
| Patient scheduling software | Medical software | no | no |
| Patient tracking software | Medical software | no | no |
| Supply documentation software | Medical software | no | no |
| Surgery workflow communication software | Medical software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.99 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.91 |
| Physical Proximity | 4.87 |
| Contact With Others | 4.76 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.7 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.6 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.49 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | 4.46 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.43 |
| Spend Time Standing | 4.32 |
| Consequence of Error | 4.26 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 4.25 |
| E-Mail | 4.23 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 4.12 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 3.99 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.99 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.95 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 3.79 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 3.74 |
| Telephone Conversations | 3.72 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.69 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.59 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 3.56 |
| Exposed to Radiation | 3.55 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.51 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.49 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 3.42 |
| Conflict Situations | 3.33 |
| Time Pressure | 3.33 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 3.15 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 3.07 |
| Level of Competition | 3 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 2.98 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 2.88 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 2.77 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 2.71 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 2.66 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 2.63 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 2.32 |
| Degree of Automation | 2 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 3
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- **Experience:** Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- **Svp Range:** (6.0 to < 7.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 24.96 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 16.12 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 15.36 |
| High School Diploma | 13.17 |
| Some College Courses | 10.63 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 7.8 |
| Master's Degree | 7.67 |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 4.31 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dependability | work_style | 8 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 7 |
| Health Care Service | specific_interest_area | 6.18 |
| Integrity | work_style | 6 |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 5.7 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 5 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.4 |
| Cooperation | work_style | 4 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 3.84 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 3.45 |
| Medical Science | specific_interest_area | 3.17 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 3.12 |
| Self-Control | work_style | 3 |
| Stress Tolerance | work_style | 2.55 |
| Life Science | specific_interest_area | 2.33 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 29-2055.00 | role-29-2055-00 | Surgical Technologists | Primary-Short |
| 29-1071.01 | role-29-1071-01 | Anesthesiologist Assistants | Primary-Short |
| 29-2043.00 | role-29-2043-00 | Paramedics | Primary-Short |
| 29-2042.00 | role-29-2042-00 | Emergency Medical Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 29-2031.00 | role-29-2031-00 | Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 29-1126.00 | role-29-1126-00 | Respiratory Therapists | Primary-Long |
| 31-9092.00 | role-31-9092-00 | Medical Assistants | Primary-Long |
| 29-2057.00 | role-29-2057-00 | Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 31-1131.00 | role-31-1131-00 | Nursing Assistants | Primary-Long |
| 29-2061.00 | role-29-2061-00 | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Primary-Long |
| 29-1243.00 | role-29-1243-00 | Pediatric Surgeons | Supplemental |
| 29-1242.00 | role-29-1242-00 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Healthcare & Human Services | healthcare-human-services |

## Education Level

- **Category:** Postsecondary nondegree award

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Health Professions and Related Programs | health-professions-and-related-programs |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 60290
- **Mean Wage:** 67190
- **Pct10Wage:** 39540
- **Pct25Wage:** 49140
- **Pct75Wage:** 80860
- **Pct90Wage:** 102390
- **Employment:** 22860
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 22280 | 60290 | 6.5 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 290 | 86290 | 0.22 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 180 | 86290 | 0.46 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 110 | 56460 | 0.05 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector |  | 37870 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 22280 | 6.5 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 180 | 0.46 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 290 | 0.22 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 110 | 0.05 |
- **Count:** 5

## Ai Signals


## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 6
- **Percentile:** 3
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 11 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 2 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 2

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.0784313725490196 | 11 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.011798704972877277 | 2 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0
- **Beta:** 0.0392156862745098
- **Gamma:** 0.0784313725490196

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 5.1
- **Growth Percentile:** 75
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 1.6
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 23
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 25.3
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 26.6

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 28
- **Skills:** 35
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 10
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 7342693b1a40ca3d