Certified Surgical Tech - First Assistant

Location Address:

Compensation Pay Range:

Summary:

How you grow, learn and thrive matters here.
* Educational and career development options, including tuition and certification reimbursement, scholarship opportunities
* Staff Safety (a wearable badge that allows nurses to quickly and discreetly call for help when safety is a concern)
* Differentials for night/weekend shifts, higher education, certifications and various lead roles (for eligible positions)
* Malpractice liability insurance
* Loan forgiveness through the New Mexico Higher Education Department
* EPIC electronic charting system

Responsibilities:

In this role you will provide essential support to the surgical team by evaluating and coordinating activities during surgical procedures. Perform pre and post-operative activities to facilitate optimal patient care. Works closely with surgeons in the operating room during a surgical procedure. Anticipate the needs of the surgical team and during an operation, assist the surgeon with tasks such as selecting equipment, holding open incisions, stopping bleeding, closing the incision, among other technical tasks. Collaborate with healthcare professionals including anesthesiologists and nurses to deliver high-quality patient care throughout the surgical process.

Additional Job Duties:

• Positioning the patient for surgery and aiding with draping

• Clearing the area where the surgeon will operate and holding open incisions by using tissue retractors, sponges, or operating suction or irrigation equipment

• Selecting and passing instruments and supplies during an operation

• Stopping bleeding by sponging, clamping, tying, or cauterizing vessels, or suturing tissue layers as directed by the surgeon

• Applying dressings to surgical wounds

• Counting sponges, needles, and other materials before and after the operation

• Closing the incision at the end of the procedure

• Follow facility protocol and policy as well as other state and federal laws and regulations

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Highschool diploma, GED. Associate's degree preferred.

• Completion of an accredited Surgical First Assistant program preferred.

• Current Certification as Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA), or Surgical Assistant Certified (SA-C) or Minimum of 2 years' experience as a Surgical Technologist- REQUIRED

• Preferred experience as a CSFA or SA-C in diverse surgical specialties and proficiency with robotic and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

• Current BLS certification REQUIRED before hire

UPDATED: 9.10.2025

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About Presbyterian Healthcare Services

Presbyterian exists to improve the health of patients, members, and the communities we serve. We are locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system of nine hospitals, a statewide health plan and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Founded in New Mexico in 1908, we are the state's largest private employer with nearly 14,000 employees - including more than 1600 providers and nearly 4,700 nurses.

Our health plan serves more than 580,000 members statewide and offers Medicare Advantage, Medicaid (Centennial Care) and Commercial health plans.

AA/EOE/VET/DISABLED. PHS is a drug-free and tobacco-free employer with smoke free campuses.

Compensation Disclaimer

The compensation range for this role takes into account a wide range of factors, including but not limited to experience and training, internal equity, and other business and organizational needs.