Surgical First Assistant

Overview and Responsibilities

Johns Hopkins Intrastaff connects professionals with flexible temporary opportunities across clinical, allied health, administrative, IT, and other fields. With full-time, part-time, per diem, and long-term assignments, you can enjoy the flexibility of temporary work while benefiting from the support and resources of a world-renowned health system.

Role Summary

The Surgical First Assistant (SFA) supports surgeons and the perioperative team by providing direct assistance before, during, and after surgical procedures. This role primarily functions as a Surgical Technologist while serving as a first assistant during operative cases when staffing and procedural needs allow.

Success in this role includes maintaining a safe and sterile surgical environment, providing skilled intraoperative assistance, supporting efficient surgical workflows, and delivering high-quality patient care across operating rooms, procedure rooms, and ambulatory surgery center settings.

 

Location: Howard County Ambulatory Surgery Center  Schedule: Based on surgical center operating hours and department needs  Pay: $55.00 per hour  Travel: May flex between operating rooms, procedure rooms, and designated Johns Hopkins Surgery Center locations as needed

Top Responsibilities

• Serve as a first or second assistant to surgeons during operative procedures in accordance with established protocols and physician direction.
• Prepare patients and surgical fields using proper sterile technique, including shaving, scrubbing, draping, and positioning patients safely for procedures.
• Scrub and assist on a wide variety of surgical procedures within the Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC).
• Prepare, organize, and maintain surgical instruments, equipment, supplies, and specialty instrumentation required for procedures.
• Anticipate surgeon preferences and communicate patient-specific procedural needs to the surgical team.
• Maintain aseptic technique and ensure compliance with infection prevention and patient safety standards.
• Assist with insertion and management of monitoring devices, urinary catheters, temperature probes, and other procedural equipment as directed.
• Support operating room turnover processes and maintain a clean, safe, and efficient surgical environment.
• Monitor patients throughout the perioperative process and collaborate with surgeons, nurses, and healthcare team members regarding patient care needs.
• Flex between operating rooms, procedure rooms, and other clinical areas to support daily surgical center operations.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications (Must Have)

• Successful completion of an accredited Surgical First Assistant program.
• Current certification through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) and/or the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA).
• Working knowledge of surgical procedures, anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.
• Ability to perform advanced sterile techniques and maintain an aseptic surgical environment.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and concentrate during lengthy surgical procedures.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced surgical environment while maintaining patient safety standards.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; completion of accredited Surgical First Assistant training required.
• Zero to twelve months of related Surgical First Assistant or Surgical Technology experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience scrubbing a variety of surgical specialties.
• Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) experience.
• Experience assisting physicians during complex surgical procedures.
• Familiarity with advanced surgical equipment and specialty instrumentation.
• Experience working in a high-volume operating room environment.
• Strong collaboration skills with surgeons, nurses, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of perioperative quality and safety initiatives.
• Experience supporting operating room efficiency and turnover processes.

Certifications / Licenses

• Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) through NBSTSA or
• Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) through NCCSA
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

 

Johns Hopkins Health System and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.