The Bureau of Labor Statistics approved for 2018 a separate definition for Surgical Assistants.

29-9093 Surgical Assistants 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 issue, and apply dressings to surgical site. Excludes "Registered Nurses" (29-1141) and "Surgical Technologists" (29-2055).

NSAA MEMBERSHIP

NSAA's primary purpose is to provide professional development to Surgical Assistants through continuing education, certification, networking, publications and meeting with peers and other allied health professionals. We are the first organization in the country to establish standards of professionalism.

JOB BOARD

NSAA's primary purpose is to provide professional development to Surgical Assistants through continuing education, certification, networking, publications and meeting with peers and other allied health professionals. We are the first organization in the country to establish standards of professionalism.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

NSAA's primary purpose is to provide professional development to Surgical Assistants through continuing education, certification, networking, publications and meeting with peers and other allied health professionals. We are the first organization in the country to establish standards of professionalism.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

NSAA's primary purpose is to provide professional development to Surgical Assistants through continuing education, certification, networking, publications and meeting with peers and other allied health professionals. We are the first organization in the country to establish standards of professionalism.

Welcome To NSAA

In 1979, a group of Surgical Assistants banded together to form the Virginia Association of Surgical Assistants, set up a job description and standards for practice. This group saw a need for S.A.'s and the need for education. The Eastern Virginia Medical School then became the home for the S.A. program. With the help of the Department of Surgery at Norfolk General Hospital, they developed a Certification Exam.

This group also conducted a survey across the country to find out just how many people were out there working in the capacity of a Surgical Assistant. They were amazed to find how many S.A's were going unrecognized for the job they performed. Reaching out across the United States, the membership grew and thus the Virginia Association of Surgical Assistants became the National Surgical Assistant Association in 1983.