Surgical Assistants
SOC Code: 29-9093 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Surgical Assistants. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $90,813 | $108,389 | $125,986 | $143,562 |
| Mankato, MN | $87,610 | $105,518 | $123,427 | $141,336 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $87,090 | $104,354 | $121,618 | $138,882 |
| Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $84,074 | $101,296 | $118,498 | $135,720 |
| Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $74,006 | $94,182 | $114,358 | $134,534 |
| Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $82,264 | $99,694 | $117,104 | $134,534 |
| Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $68,848 | $87,963 | $107,058 | $126,173 |
| Florence, SC | $67,662 | $83,928 | $100,194 | $116,459 |
| Sumter, SC | $67,662 | $83,928 | $100,194 | $116,459 |
| Yuma, AZ | $53,061 | $72,800 | $92,560 | $112,299 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.0 | |
| Speaking | 3.8 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.6 | |
| Monitoring | 3.6 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.4 | |
| Coordination | 3.4 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.2 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.2 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Medicine and Dentistry | 4.2 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.0 |
| English Language | 3.6 |
| Biology | 3.4 |
| Education and Training | 3.4 |
| Computers and Electronics | 2.9 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.7 |
| Psychology | 2.6 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate's degree | 25.0% |
| Master's degree | 16.1% |
| Some college | 15.4% |
| High school diploma | 13.2% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 10.6% |
| Bachelor's degree | 7.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 7.7% |
| Other | 4.3% |
Typical 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 the insertion, positioning, or suturing of closed-wound drainage systems.
- Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.
- 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.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
MEDITECH software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Electronic medical record EMR software Nursing documentation software Patient scheduling software Patient tracking software Supply documentation software Surgery workflow communication software Word processing software
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