Online Surgical Assistant Training Programs

Surgical assistants, also known as surgical first assistants, help surgeons conduct a successful procedure. They retract (move and hold) body tissues during surgery, apply dressings, suture surgical wounds and perform other surgical tasks. Distance learning surgical assistant programs enable students to complete training online while obtaining clinical experience at a local facility.

Online Surgical Assistant Training Overview

The most common online training program for prospective surgical assistants is a certificate in surgical assisting. Some online certificate programs can be completed in as little as one academic year. They qualify the student to sit for the national certification examinations from organizations like the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or the National Surgical Assistant Association. Classroom-type coursework may be completed entirely online. It is supplemented with mandatory clinical experience at a local hospital, which allows students to gain practical, hands-on experience assisting in operations. The clinical experience may include participation in a minimum number of general surgery, orthopedics, peripheral vascular and endoscopic surgery cases, as well as specialties selected by the student.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to surgical assistant programs may need professional liability insurance; they submit health and immunization records and a copy of their current CPR certification. This is in addition to routine college admission requirements, including an application for admission, a skills assessment test and official transcripts.
A surgical technologist practices sterile procedures and manages tools in the operating room. Surgical assistants need experience with those tasks in order to safely manipulate patients' tissues during surgery. Therefore, documented surgical technologist experience and certification are often mandatory for surgical assisting students. Online programs typically require a letter from the student's current hospital agreeing to let the candidate obtain clinical experience on site during the certificate program. Clinical preceptors guide and evaluate students' development of surgical skills.

Technical Requirements

Fundamental PC skills, Internet access, e-mail and routine hardware and software are required for online surgical assistant programs. The college usually provides a comprehensive list of specific technological competencies and requirements.

Sample Curriculum for an Online Surgical Assistant Certificate Program

Mandatory coursework is designed to provide a broad academic background that supports a variety of surgical specialties. Online classes are usually completed in an asynchronous manner, enabling program participation to be completed at a convenient time and location. Student assignments are typically submitted electronically and testing often takes place online; some programs require proctored examinations. Distance learning surgical assistant classes often cover:

• Introductory surgical technology
• Surgical anatomy
• Surgical pharmacology
• Perioperative bioscience
• Surgical assisting principles