FAQ

• What is a Non Physician Surgical Assistant?
  

• Who is a Non Physician Surgical Assistant?
  

• What is the National Surgical Assistant Association?
  

• What is the NSAA Certification Exam?
  

• How is certification kept current?
  

• What schools/programs are available?
  

• Who are the members of NSAA?
  

• What is a Certified Surgical Assistant?

   

What is a Non Physician Surgical Assistant?

A Surgical Assistant (non physician) assists in the performance of any surgical procedure, working under the surgeon’s direction.  The Surgical Assistant acts as a first or second assistant to the surgeon in the following capacities:

• has extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology

• scrubs for operative procedures

• assists in moving and positioning the patent for surgery

• assists the surgeon in draping of the patient

• retracts tissue and exposes operating field area during operative procedures

• clamps and ties blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry

• keeps the operative area dry

• affords the surgeon the best possible exposure of the anatomy incident to the operation

• assists the surgeon in identifying any structure that should not be ligated and keeps those structures from the operative site by retraction

• has knowledge in all surgical procedures sufficient to assist the surgeon in any way

• knows all the instruments used in any procedure

• assists in closure of the incision including tying of bleeders

• applies sutures and wound dressings

• performs any all tasks required by the surgeon incident to the particular surgical procedure

Who is a Non Physician Surgical Assistant?

A Non Physician Surgical Assistant is a highly skilled individual, providing quality perioperative care to patients, who has received specialty training in surgical assisting…

• formal training in surgical assisting from universities, hospitals, private schools, allied health organization programs

• military training in specialty programs, operating rooms and in the field

• foreign medical school graduates working in the United States

• hospital operating room staff members trained by surgeons in the operating room (technicians, registered nurses, physician assistants)

What is the National Surgical Assistant Association?

National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) was established in 1983 for the purpose of setting standards of professionalism, assuring competency testing and certifying competency through their CSA (Certified Surgical Assistant) designation.  NSAA mandates continuing education for Certified Surgical Assistants throughout the country and recertification of the CSA credential, by the establishment of continuing medical education standards and verification.

What is the NSAA Certification Exam?

The NSAA Certification Exam, is an intense, comprehensive examination written and reviewed by surgeons, surgical assistants and academics to test the competency, skills and knowledge of the surgical assistant.  The exam is a written exam of 276 multiple choice questions. Some of the subject matter covered in the exam includes:

• Human Anatomy
• Physiology
• Medical Terminology
• Biophysical Science
• Pharmacology
• Gross Anatomy
• Technical Surgical Skills – all specialties – general, cardio-vascular, thoracic, peripheral-vascular, pediatric, genital urinary, OB/GYN, ophthalmology, neuro, orthopedic, etc.
• Operating Room Procedures
• Sterile technique
• Principles of patient care
• X-ray reading and interpretation
• EKG reading and interpretation
• Pathology in the O.R.
• Anesthesia
• Ethics and the role of the Surgical Assistant
• Medical History
  
   

How is Certification Kept Current?

Each Certified Surgical Assistant must keep their membership up to date and provide proof of attending continuing education course, seminars and workshops.  NSAA requires recertification every two years.  The recertification period begins upon the successful completion of the certification examination.  During each two-year period the CSA must submit for review and acceptance proof of 50 continuing education credits obtained during the period.  The following are accepted methods of earning continuing education credits:

• Attending the NSAA Annual Conference.

• Attending organized surgical and/or medical conferences, lectures, or job related in-services with in a hospital or other medical setting.

• College or university courses in Medicine, the Sciences or other job-related studies.

• Teaching medically related subjects in structured program.

What Schools/Programs are Available to Non Physician Surgical Assistants?

The National Surgical Assistant Association endorses all those programs that are NSAA Approved.

Additionally, the American Organization of Registered Nurses and the Physician Assistants have programs to train those individuals with RN or PA credentials in surgical assisting as a post graduate endeavor.

Who are the Members of National Surgical Assistant Association?

The National Surgical Assistant Association provides an excellent venue for a wide variety of Non Physician Surgical Assistants. 

• 91% of members received training from formal surgical assisting programs, hospital based programs, military programs or graduated from foreign medical schools

• 53% of members hold a BS degrees or higher – with 26% holding Doctorates

• 77% of members have been Non Physician Surgical Assistants for over six years with over 50% of those having practiced Surgical Assisting for 15+ years

• 86% of members assist in general surgery; 74% assist in orthopedic and/or vascular surgery; 63% assist in gynecological and/or plastic surgery; 57% assist in thoracic surgery; 54% assist in genitourinary surgery and/or neurosurgery; 49% assist in cardiac surgery; 43% assist in obstetric surgery; 40% assist in pediatric surgery; and, 29% assist in ophthalmic surgery

• 49% of members are employed in hospitals around the country and 41% are employed by private Surgical Assistant companies or are self-employed.  Other types of employment include working directly for a surgeon and ambulatory care

• 10% of members are Registered Nurses or Physician Assistants (who were trained on the job in the clinical OR and have met the experience requirements)

Membership and certification is open to all those who qualify either through the educational requirements or who have over 2250 hours of current assisting experience and five letters of reference from surgeons for whom they have worked.

NSAA members are a vital part of the OR Team – working under the direction of the surgeon in the capacity of first assistant.  NSAA members are often the preferred first assistants for many surgeons around the country.  The Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) designation is recognized in hospitals throughout the United States and is one of the preferred credentials required by those hospitals.

Certified Surgical Assistants

These are surgical assistants (non physician) who have met certification criteria and passed certifying examinations given by several organizations throughout the United States, such as NSAA, NBSTSA and AORN to name a few.  The certified surgical assistant’s scope of practice would be based on their experience and training defined in their job description that would reflect those tasks and responsibilities allowed.

General task list of responsibilities for surgical assistants (non physician):

• Determines specific equipment needed per procedure.

• Reviews permit to confirm procedure and special needs.

• Selection and placement of x-rays for reference.

• Assists in moving and positioning of patient.

• Insertion and removal of Foley urinary bladder catheter.

• Placement of pneumatic tourniquet.

• Confirms procedure with surgeon.

• Drapes patient within surgeon’s guidelines.

• Provides retraction of tissue and organs for optimal visualization with regard to tissue type and appropriate retraction instrument and/or technique.

• Assists in maintaining hemostasis by direct pressure, use and application of appropriate surgical instrument for the task, placement of ties, placement of suture ligatures, application of chemical hemostatic agents, or other measures as directed by the surgeon.

• Use of electrocautery mono and bi-polar.

• Clamp, ligation and cutting of tissue per surgeon’s directive.

• Harvest saphenous vein including skin incision per surgeon’s directive.

• Dissection of common femoral artery and bifurcation per surgeon’s directive.

• Maintains integrity of sterile field.

• Closure of all wound layers (facia, subcutaneous and skin) as per surgeon’s directive.

• Insertion of drainage tubes per surgeon’s directive.

• Selection and application of wound dressings.

• Assists with resuscitation of patient during cardiac arrest or other life threatening events in the operating room.

• Any other duties or procedures incident to the surgical procedure deemed necessary and directed by the surgeon.

Certified Surgical Assistants (non physician) assist in a variety of surgery specialties:

• General Surgery

• Orthopedic Surgery

• Neurosurgery

• Spinal Surgery

• ENT

• Obstetrical Surgery

• Gynecological Surgery

• Craniofacial Surgery

• Radial neck Surgery

• Genitourinary Surgery

• Cardiac Surgery

• Thoracic Surgery

• Vascular Surgery

• Trauma Surgery

• Plastic Surgery

• Ophthalmologic Surgery