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Certified Surgical First Assist
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Lexington, KY, 40509
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : 32.3-48.05 HOUR
Date Posted : 9 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
Sign-on Bonus up to $20,000 AND Education Assistance (student loan payoff) up to $24,000 for eligible hires
Job Summary / Purpose
The certified surgical assistant employed by the operating room will be assigned to first assist physicians in surgery performing specific tasks under the supervision of the physician.
Essential Functions
- Assists with positioning the patient, provide application of surgical antiseptic solution and draping the patient in a standardized sterile fashion.
- Under physician supervision, may be expected to open and close surgical sites, harvest grafts, assist with hemostasis, dissect and remove tissue, insert devices, alter tissue and other such procedures as requested.
- Provide assistance in securing drainage systems to tissue and applying appropriate wound dressing.
- Under professional supervision, may be expected to perform specific significant tasks, which includes applying and removing splints/casts, placing foley catheters, and administering local anesthesia.
- The job summary and responsibilities listed above are designed to indicate the general nature of the work performed within this job. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all job responsibilities required of employees assigned to this job. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
Graduate from an accredited surgical technology program required.
One year of surgical technician experience required.
- One year Surgical Assisting experience preferred.
Licensure and Certifications
Certified First Assistant - Certified Surgical Technologists (CST/CSFA) required.
- Surgical Assistant (SA:KY) required.
Basic Life Support - CPR (BLS-CPR)
#hellosurgicaltechs
Where You'll WorkSaint Joseph East is a 217-bed full-service community hospital located in the rapidly growing southeastern section of Lexington Kentucky. We provide care for patients in Fayette and surrounding counties. At Saint Joseph East ambulatory surgery 24-hour emergency care and women’s health services are supported through a vast array of inpatient and outpatient program. Additional specialty services include Heart Care Breast Care Sleep Care and Weight Loss Surgery. CHI Saint Joseph Health supports 5000 active employees 8 hospitals specialty clinics and a Medical Group with more than 200 locations across Central and Eastern KY. CommonSpirit Health was formed by the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health in 2019. With our combined resources CommonSpirit is committed to building healthy communities advocating for those who are poor and vulnerable and innovating how and where healing can happen both inside our hospitals and out in the community.
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Frequently asked questions
In Lexington, KY, holding certifications like Certified Surgical Technologist (CST/CSFA) and Surgical Assistant (SA:KY) are highly valued. These credentials demonstrate compliance with local healthcare standards and significantly enhance job prospects within regional hospitals like Catholic Health Initiatives.
At Saint Joseph East, a Certified Surgical First Assist often handles critical responsibilities such as patient positioning, sterile draping, assistance with hemostasis, tissue dissection, and device insertion under physician supervision, ensuring smooth surgical procedures in a fast-paced hospital environment.
Catholic Health Initiatives offers educational assistance and sign-on bonuses, fostering career advancement for Certified Surgical First Assistants. Their extensive network across Kentucky provides diverse clinical experiences and opportunities to deepen surgical skills within a supportive healthcare system.
Certified Surgical First Assistants in Lexington, KY generally earn between $65,000 and $85,000 annually, reflecting regional demand and required expertise. Factors such as experience, certifications, and the employing facility, like Catholic Health Initiatives, can influence compensation packages.
Catholic Health Initiatives emphasizes comprehensive surgical support, including advanced tasks like wound dressing and local anesthesia administration. This role may offer broader procedural involvement than some facilities, highlighting a collaborative surgical team approach tailored to their patient care standards.
The Lexington region experiences steady demand for Certified Surgical First Assistants due to its growing healthcare sector. While competition exists, possessing dual certifications and surgical experience notably improves chances, especially for roles within established systems like Catholic Health Initiatives.
Prospective Certified Surgical First Assistants should graduate from accredited surgical technology programs and obtain CST/CSFA certification. Supplementing education with hands-on surgical technician experience and local licensure like SA:KY optimizes readiness for Kentucky hospital settings.
Saint Joseph East fosters a patient-centered culture prioritizing teamwork and continuous learning. This environment encourages Certified Surgical First Assistants to engage actively in multidisciplinary collaboration, ensuring quality surgical care aligned with community health needs.
Sign-on bonuses up to $20,000 and education assistance up to $24,000 add significant financial incentives, easing transition costs and supporting skill development. These benefits make Lexington-based surgical first assist roles, especially with Catholic Health Initiatives, highly attractive.
Adapting to CHI's surgical support roles may involve mastering diverse procedures under varied physician styles and adhering to rigorous sterile protocols. Navigating a large hospital network demands flexibility, excellent communication, and a proactive approach to patient safety.