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Surgical

Surgical First Assistant OR

Ascension logoAscension$31.41–$43.80/hrNashville, TNPart timePosted 3d agoStill open, checked every night
  • BLS

How this pay compares

This posting states $31.41–$43.80 an hour. Open surgical first assistant jobs in Tennessee post a median of $37.60 an hour, the middle half $37.60–$44.19, across 17 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post. Surgical first assistants employed in Tennessee earn a median of $39.25 an hour (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025) (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics).

Surgical first assistants in Tennessee: pay by town and employer

The Surgical Techs & Sterile Processing job market: pay, applicant demand and hiring, researched nightly

Workplace injuries

Tnnas43 Ascension Saint Thomas West Hosp in Nashville reported 76 work injuries and illnesses to OSHA for 2025 over 3,866,561 hours worked: 3.9 per 100 full-time workers, against 5.1 per 100 full-time workers at general hospitalsnationwide. 2 of them describe violence by a patient, resident or client in the case's own words. This is the employer's own report. Workplace injuries by employer.

Medicare rating of Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital

Medicare gives Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital 3 of 5 stars (Jul 2026; Tennessee's hospitals average 3.0). 78% of its patients said their nurses always communicated well (the middle US hospital: 79%). Patients' ratings of their care, not employees' of the job. Its other hospitals · Tennessee hospitals by rating.

Surgical tech and sterile processing jobs in our research

  • How long these jobs stay listed: Median days to removal 21.0 days · Still listed at 7 days 72.6%
  • Applicant demand per open job on this site (1.00x is the average job): Index 1.38x · Clicks 22
  • How often these jobs state their pay: Jobs stating any pay 51.2% · Stating an hourly rate 38.5%

From every open job we read and every apply click on this site, as of 9 Nov 2026. Every figure for Surgical tech and sterile processing jobs

About the job

  • Location: Nashville, TN
  • Facility: Saint Thomas West
  • Department: Main OR
  • Schedule: Part-time | Weekend Day Shift
  • Positions patient to give best exposure for surgical procedure, using stabilizing equipment when necessary, while maximizing patient comfort and safety.
  • Provides visualization of the operative site using appropriate method, including manipulation of tissue and materials, retraction, sponging, suctioning and irrigation.
  • Utilizes appropriate technique to achieve temporary and permanent hemostasis.
  • Assists with body plane closure, application of wound dressings and securing of drainage systems.
  • Assist in room clean up and the removal of the soiled case cart, supplies, and trash from OR room as needed at the completion of the surgical case.
  • Participates as a surgical team member in the preparation of the surgical suite according to surgeon's preference cards with appropriate instruments, resources and supplies.

Licensure / Certification / Registration

  • Required Credential(s):
  • BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
  • One or more of the following:
  • Certified First Surgical Assistant obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date. Hired/transferred before 5/30/21 not required to hold certification. Accepted: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting; American Board of Surgical Assistants; or National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants.
  • Certified Registered Nurse specializing in First Assistant obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date. Hired/transferred before 5/30/21 not required to hold certification. Accepted: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting; American Board of Surgical Assistants; or National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants.

Education

  • High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.

Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.

Equal employment opportunity employer

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.

Fraud prevention notice

Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process, our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.

E-Verify statement

Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.

From Ascension's job posting, checked 9 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

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About Ascension

Ascension is a non-profit Catholic health system based in St. Louis, with more than 98,000 (source: Ascension, Healthcare (system home page)) associates and 91 (source: Ascension, Healthcare (system home page)) hospitals in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin, plus senior living and other care sites. In 2026 it acquired AmSurg and its more than 250 (source: AMSURG, Ascension and AMSURG Come Together to Serve More Communities (June 4, 2026)) surgery centers. Sources: Ascension, Healthcare (system home page); AMSURG, Ascension and AMSURG Come Together to Serve More Communities (June 4, 2026)

Based in St. Louis, MOHires in 12 statesPay on its listings: 80.6% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

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