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The Surgical Tech First Assistant provides direct assistance to surgeons during procedures by managing sterile fields, handling instruments, and performing tasks like suturing and tissue exposure. They are also responsible for maintaining surgical specimens and ensuring safety protocols are followed throughout the operation.
Requirements summary
Candidates must have a high school diploma, graduation from an accredited Surgical Technology program, and completion of an accredited First Assistant training course. Additionally, three years of recent surgical technology experience and current CST or Tech in Surgery certification are required.
Opening Summer 2026 at 4000 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland, FL.
The Orlando Health System of Care includes award-winning hospitals and ERs, specialty institutes, urgent care centers, primary care practices and outpatient facilities that span Florida’s east to west coasts, Central Alabama and Puerto Rico.
Collectively, our dedicated team members honor our over 100-year legacy by providing professional and compassionate care to the patients, families and communities we serve.
Join us!
Combining the collective strengths of two powerhouse organizations, Orlando Health and the high-quality physicians at Watson Clinic are expanding access to award-winning specialty care for patients in Polk County and beyond.
Opening in summer 2026, Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital – a state-of-the-art, seven-story, multi-specialty hospital – will serve as a vital 550,000 square-foot healthcare hub offering:
300+ inpatient beds and 69 emergency and observation beds 11 operating rooms and four cardiac interventional suites Dedicated labor and delivery services – including a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) that will debut shortly after the hospital opens Comprehensive cardiovascular, neurology, and oncology services Advanced surgical procedures Join us in shaping the future of healthcare in Polk County as part of the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital opening team and share in the privilege of saying you were there from the very beginning. Benefits Beyond the Expected Orlando Health is committed to providing you with benefits that go beyond the expected, with career-growing FREE education programs and well-being services to support you and your family through every stage of life. We begin your benefits on day one and offer flexibility wherever possible, so that you can be present for your passions. “Orlando Health Is Your Best Place to Work” is not just something we say, it’s our promise to you. Benefits that begin on Day 1 Four (4) weeks paid parental leave Debt-free degrees through our Preferred Education Program Tuition reimbursement and loan repayment programs Back-up childcare and elder care Fertility benefits and adoption assistance NCLEX reimbursement Free NCPDs for RN license Free Kaplan review courses Dedicated RN career counselor and GN Coordinators to develop you Specialty certifications reimbursement And more!
Responsibilities
Essential Functions
Demonstrates through clinical practice, a clear understanding of sterile techniques and has a working knowledge of the specialized instrumentation and equipment required for a variety of specialty procedures.
Benefits
Tuition reimbursement
Paid parental leave
Fertility benefits
Adoption assistance
Elder care
Loan repayment programs
Back-up childcare
Free NCPDs
Debt-free degrees
NCLEX reimbursement
Free Kaplan review courses
Specialty certifications reimbursement
Able to anticipate and prioritize the needs of the various steps associated with the procedure.
Takes part in sponge, needle and instrument counts as dictated by the procedure.
Responsible for maintaining the surgical specimens in a manner which identifies and preserves them for pathology evaluation.
Assists in ordering and stocking of specialty supplies under the direction of management staff and departmental guidelines.
Performs under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon.
Understands the role of the first assistant in relation to the surgical team under the supervision of the circulating nurse.
Communicates appropriate information regarding the patient’s condition to the RN and other members of the surgical team.
Responsible for maintaining a working knowledge of all surgical procedures and effectively providing assistance to the surgeon during those procedures requiring an assistant.
Activities to include, but not limited to, positioning the patient, draping the patient, clamping and tying, cauterizing superficial bleeders, providing exposure through the use of retractors, maintaining a dry field through the use of suction equipment, following and cutting sutures, suturing subcutaneous skin and wound closure as directed by the surgeon.
In performance of duties must display knowledge and skill in tissue handling, providing exposure, using instruments, suturing, and provision of homeostasis asepsis and infection control
Recognizes safety hazards and initiates appropriate preventative and corrective action.
Demonstrates advanced proficiency in surgical technology practice.
Ability to perform in scrub role in all surgical specialties.
Demonstrates professional attitude.
Maintains reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with Orlando Health policies, the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
Maintains compliance with all Orlando Health policies and procedures.
Qualifications
Education/Training
High School diploma.
Graduate of accredited Surgical Technology program.
Successful completion of an accredited First Assistant training course which includes didactic and supervised clinical learning components. Licensure/Certification
National certification as Surgical Technologist from one of the following is required:
Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) (www.nbstsa.org) – renewed every 4 years; or
Tech in Surgery - Certified by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) (www.ncctinc.com) – renewed annually. Maintains current BLS/HealthCare Provider certification.
Experience
Three (3) years of recent diversified surgical technology experience.
