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Surgical Assistants - 29-9093.00

The occupation code you requested, 29-2099.07 (Surgical Assistants), is no longer in use. In the future, please use 29-9093.00 (Surgical Assistants) instead.

O*NET-SOC Description

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.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Certified First Assistant (CFA)
  • Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA)
  • Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA)
  • Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA)
  • Certified Surgical Technician
  • Gastrointestinal Technician (GI Technician)
  • Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA)
  • Surgical First Assistant
  • Surgical Scrub Technician (Surgical Scrub Tech)
  • Surgical Technician (Surgical Tech)

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Adjust and maintain operating room temperature, humidity, or lighting, according to surgeon's specifications.
  • Apply sutures, staples, clips, or other materials to close skin, facia, or subcutaneous wound layers.
  • Assess skin integrity or other body conditions upon completion of the procedure to determine if damage has occurred from body positioning.
  • Assist in applying casts, splints, braces, or similar devices.
  • Assist in the insertion, positioning, or suturing of closed-wound drainage systems.
  • Assist in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques.
  • Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.
  • Assist with patient resuscitation during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events.
  • Clamp, ligate, or cauterize blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry, using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, or electrocautery equipment.
  • 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.
  • Coordinate with anesthesia personnel to maintain patient temperature.
  • Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
  • Determine availability of necessary equipment or supplies for operative procedures.
  • 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.
  • Gather, arrange, or assemble instruments or supplies.
  • Incise tissue layers in lower extremities to harvest veins.
  • Insert or remove urinary bladder catheters.
  • Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
  • Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
  • Monitor patient intra-operative status, including patient position, vital signs, or volume and color of blood.
  • Obtain or inspect sterile or non-sterile surgical equipment, instruments, or supplies.
  • Operate sterilizing devices.
  • Pass instruments or supplies to surgeon during procedure.
  • Postoperatively inject a subcutaneous local anesthetic agent to reduce pain.
  • Prepare and apply sterile wound dressings.
  • Remove patient hair or disinfect incision sites to prepare patient for surgery.
  • Transport patients to operating room.
  • Verify the identity of patient or operative site.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain.
  • Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
  • Administer blood or other fluids intravenously.
  • Administer intravenous medications.
  • Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.
  • Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.
  • Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
  • Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation.
  • Implement advanced life support techniques.
  • Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
  • Maintain sterile operative fields.
  • Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
  • Move patients to or from treatment areas.
  • Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
  • Operate on patients to treat conditions.
  • Position patients for treatment or examination.
  • Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
  • Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
  • Protect patients or staff members using safety equipment.
  • Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
  • Treat acute illnesses, infections, or injuries.
  • Verify accuracy of patient information.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Aerospace Medical Service (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Allergy/Immunization Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Flight and Operational Medical Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Allergy/Immunization Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Flight and Operational Medical Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Allergy/Immunization Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Flight and Operational Medical Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Helper, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Allergy/Immunization Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Flight and Operational Medical Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Service Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Cardiovascular Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Colon Rectal Surgeon (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Combat Medic Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Deep Sea Diving Independent Duty Corpsman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Field Medical Service Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Fleet Marine Force Reconnaissance Corpsman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Fleet Marine Force Reconnaissance Independent Duty Corpsman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • General Surgeon (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • General Surgeon (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Health Services Management (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Craftsman, Health Information Technology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Journeyman, Health Information Technology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Hemodialysis Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Hemodialysis/Apheresis Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Hospital Corpsman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Hospital Corpsman Basic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Medical Administration Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Medical Deep Sea Diving Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Special Operations Tactical Medic (SO-TM) (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Naval Special Warfare Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Neurosurgeon (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Neurosurgeon (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Nurse Corps Officer (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Operating Room Nurse (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Operating Room Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Opthalmic Surgical Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Orthopedic Cast Room Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Orthopedic Surgeon (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Orthopedic Surgeon (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Orthopedic Surgeon (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Orthopedic Surgeon, Hand Surgery (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Orthopedic Surgeon, Oncology (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Orthopedic Surgeon, Pediatrics (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Orthopedic Surgeon, Replacement Arthroplasty (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine Surgery (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Orthopedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Orthopedic Surgeon, Traumatology (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Orthopedic Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Pararescue (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pararescue Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pararescue Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pararescue Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pararescue Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pararescue Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pararescue Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Perioperative Nurse (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Perioperative Nurse (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Peripheral Vascular Surgeon (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Plastic Surgeon (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Plastic Surgeon (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Preventive Medicine Officer (Occupational) (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Search and Rescue Medical Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Special Forces Medical Sergeant (Army - Enlisted)
  • Submarine Force Independent Duty Corpsman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Sugical Technologist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Surface Force Independent Duty Corpsman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Surgeon (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Surgeon, Cardiac (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Surgeon, Colon and Rectal (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Surgeon, Neurological (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Surgeon, Oncology (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Surgeon, Pediatric (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Surgeon, Peripheral Vascular (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Surgeon, Plastic (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Surgeon, Thoracic (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Surgeon, Trauma/Critical Care (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Surgical Technologist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Apprentice, Orthopedics (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Apprentice, Otolaryngology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Apprentice, Urology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Craftsman, Orthopedics (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Craftsman, Otolaryngology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Craftsman, Urology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Helper, Orthopedics (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Helper, Otolaryngology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Helper, Urology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Journeyman, Orthopedics (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Journeyman, Otolaryngology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Journeyman, Urology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Surgical Technologist Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Pheresis Specialist
  • Transplant Coordinator
  • Utilization-Review Coordinator