Travel First Assist Tech Jobs
Make a Difference as a Travel Surgical First Assistant Tech
The role of surgical first assistants is crucial in ensuring the smooth functioning of surgical processes and the overall safety and well-being of surgical patients. Travel surgical assistants have the opportunity to live and work in the location of your dreams and get paid to do it.
Interested in traveling as a first assist tech? Browse travel first assist tech jobs at outstanding facilities across the country and find your fit.
What is a certified surgical first assistant tech?
A first assist tech, also known as a surgical first assistant or a surgical assistant, plays a key role in the operating room, providing essential assistance before, during, and after surgeries. Their responsibilities range from setting up the operating room and preparing the patient for surgery, to assisting the surgeon during the operation. Surgical first assistants communicate with the surgical team, ensuring a seamless flow of information about the patient’s status, whether they are in surgery or recovering.
Typical Surgical First Assistant Responsibilities:
- Set up the operating room, ensuring that all necessary surgical equipment is available and sterilized, and preparing the patient by washing, shaving, and disinfecting incision sites
- Provide direct assistance to the surgeon during operations including tasks like holding open incisions, suturing wounds, and manipulating tissues
- Monitor the patient's vital signs and alerting the surgeon to any changes that could indicate a problem
- Assist in transferring the patient to the recovery room
- Provides post-operative care, such as cleaning and bandaging surgical sites
- Maintain accurate records, documenting the surgery procedures, any changes in patient's condition, and the care provided
Choose where you go
With opportunities for travelers all over the country, we’ve selected areas with the most popular medical traveling jobs to help you find your best fit.
Advantages & Perks for Travel First Assist Jobs
Competitive pay
Travel techs are the backbone of medical traveling. Pay transparency means you can see what you'll actually get paid before you even apply.
Per diem
Travel certified surgical first assistants qualify for a weekly, tax-free per diem that can help you cover the cost of moving, like your transportation, meals, and other expenses.
Certifications
Level-up, tech. Get your state licenses and travel tech requirements reimbursed.
Travel life
See new spaces. See new faces. Grow and learn in your nursing career as you grow and learn in various cities all over the country.Medical Traveler Compliance & Licensure
Being a travel certified surgical assistant is a great way to grow your experience and learn on the job. What if your dream travel assignment is asking for certifications you don’t have? Don’t sweat. You’ll get training and financial assistance for the cost of licensing and certifications
Degrees and Certifications
Keeping up with the world of licensing and certification can be intimidating. Degrees and certifications depend on your modality and specialty but getting compliant for your home state and others you want to travel to are easier as a medical professional. Compliance experts work with your recruiter and the facility to ensure that you have all the relevant credentials required for any and all travel surgical assistant tech jobs.
Compliance Requirements
Some of your compliance requirements are the same across the board, but there are others that will depend on your specialty.
The three parts of compliance
- Occupational health records: Required immunizations and health examinations
- Documentation: Tax forms, insurance paperwork, and licenses
- Testing: Certifications, online training, and workplace safety exams
FAQs
Who can become a surgical first assistant tech?
You'll need to complete a surgical first assistant program that's accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). These surgical assistant programs typically offer a diploma, certificate, or associate degree and provide both classroom instruction as well as practical clinical experience.
After completing your surgical first assisting program, you're eligible to take a national certification exam to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) or Tech in Surgery - Certified (TS-C). These certifications are offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) and the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), respectively.
Gaining experience in a clinical setting after completing your program is beneficial. It is recommended that travel surgical first assistants have 12-18 months of practice in their field. Depending on the specialty or the specific requirements of the facility, the required job experience could be longer.
How much do certified surgical assistant tech jobs pay?
The average salary of a surgical first assistant tech varies significantly depending on factors such as geographical location, years of experience, and the specific healthcare setting. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for surgical technologists, a group that includes first assist techs, was about $48,300.
What types of places employ surgical first assistants?
Surgical first assistants primarily work in hospital operating rooms, where they assist surgeons during a surgical procedure. They are an integral part of the surgical team in both general and specialized surgical departments. Some first assist techs may also find employment in outpatient care centers, where minor surgical procedures are performed. Additionally, employment opportunities can be found in dental offices and private medical practices that perform surgeries.
Will taking travel jobs help my career?
Working as a travel surgical assisting tech is beneficial because it exposes you to different regional procedures and patient populations, provides the opportunity to explore new specialties, and helps you gain experience learning a new clinical environment quickly.