Certified Surgical First Assistant

Your future role at a glance

Location: Chicago, IL

Facility: Ascension Saint Joseph

Department: Surgery

Schedule: Day shift | Full-time with call

Salary range : $34.72 - $48.41 per hour

Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity

Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 97,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you’ll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.

Benefits that help you thrive

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options

• Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance

• Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays

• Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning

• Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources

• Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits

• Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more

How you’ll make an impact in this role

• Position patients to optimize surgical site exposure while using stabilizing equipment and ensuring patient comfort and safety.

• Support the surgical team by providing clear visualization of the operative site through tissue manipulation, retraction, suctioning, irrigation, and sponging.

• Employ appropriate techniques to achieve both temporary and permanent hemostasis throughout the procedure.

• Assist with body plane closure, the application of wound dressings, and the proper securing of drainage systems.

• Collaborate as a team member to prepare the surgical suite according to preference cards and assist with room cleanup, including the removal of soiled supplies and equipment.

What minimum requirements you’ll need

Licensure / Certification / Registration:

• BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.

• One or more of the following required:

• Surgical Assistant credentialed from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.

• Surgical Assistant credentialed from the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.

Education:

• High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.

What additional preferences we're seeking

• 3 or more years experience as Surgical First Assistant

Equal employment opportunity employer

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) ( poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) ( poster.

Fraud prevention notice

Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process. Our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.

E-Verify statement

Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here ( for more information.