{"v":"2026-11-02","dataVersion":"ONET-30.3+BLS-MAY25","code":"29-9093.00","slug":"surgical-assistants","title":"Surgical Assistants","alt":["First Assistant","Surgery Assistant","Surgical Technician","Certified Surgical Assistant","Surgical Assistant-Certified","Surgical First Assistant","Clinical Assistant","Perioperative Assistant","Surgical Dental Assistant","Surgical Medical Assistant","OR Aide","Operating Room Assistant"],"employment":22270,"wage":{"median":66800,"p25":50170,"p75":88010},"growthPct":5.1,"exposure":31.7,"taskCount":28,"highCount":2,"midCount":2,"lowCount":24,"aeiObserved":0,"fit":{"mix":{"none":7,"efficient":78.3,"standard":14.7,"frontier":0},"counts":{"none":2,"efficient":22,"standard":4,"frontier":0},"recommended":"efficient","coveragePct":78.3,"addressablePct":93},"tasks":[{"t":"Verify the identity of patient or operative site.","imp":4.97,"exp":80,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Processing Information"},{"t":"Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.","imp":4.89,"exp":20,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"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.","imp":4.71,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards"},{"t":"Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.","imp":4.71,"exp":20,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.","imp":4.68,"exp":20,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Controlling Machines and Processes"},{"t":"Apply sutures, staples, clips, or other materials to close skin, facia, or subcutaneous wound 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equipment.","imp":4.59,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Controlling Machines and Processes"},{"t":"Assess skin integrity or other body conditions upon completion of the procedure to determine if damage has occurred from body positioning.","imp":4.55,"exp":65,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings"},{"t":"Assist with patient resuscitation during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events.","imp":4.53,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"Obtain or inspect sterile or non-sterile surgical equipment, instruments, or supplies.","imp":4.48,"exp":20,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials"},{"t":"Operate sterilizing devices.","imp":4.46,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Performing General Physical Activities"},{"t":"Pass instruments or supplies to surgeon during procedure.","imp":4.42,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"Monitor patient intra-operative status, including patient position, vital signs, or volume and color of blood.","imp":4.31,"exp":10,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings"},{"t":"Remove patient hair or disinfect incision sites to prepare patient for surgery.","imp":4.3,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"Incise tissue layers in lower extremities to harvest veins.","imp":4.25,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"Assist in the insertion, positioning, or suturing of closed-wound drainage systems.","imp":4.24,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.","imp":4.17,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"Gather, arrange, or assemble instruments or supplies.","imp":4.16,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Coordinate with anesthesia personnel to maintain patient temperature.","imp":4.1,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates"},{"t":"Adjust and maintain operating room temperature, humidity, or lighting, according to surgeon's specifications.","imp":3.94,"exp":20,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Handling and Moving Objects"},{"t":"Assist in applying casts, splints, braces, or similar devices.","imp":3.89,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"Transport patients to operating room.","imp":3.86,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Performing General Physical Activities"},{"t":"Postoperatively inject a subcutaneous local anesthetic agent to reduce pain.","imp":3.76,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"Insert or remove urinary bladder catheters.","imp":3.71,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"},{"t":"Assist in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques.","imp":3.67,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Assisting and Caring for Others"}],"adjacent":[{"code":"29-2055.00","slug":"surgical-technologists","title":"Surgical Technologists","overlap":0.74,"months":9,"exposure":41.9,"strong":true},{"code":"29-1071.01","slug":"anesthesiologist-assistants","title":"Anesthesiologist Assistants","overlap":0.71,"months":10,"exposure":34.6,"strong":true},{"code":"31-9092.00","slug":"medical-assistants","title":"Medical Assistants","overlap":0.65,"months":13,"exposure":31,"strong":true},{"code":"31-1131.00","slug":"nursing-assistants","title":"Nursing Assistants","overlap":0.65,"months":13,"exposure":32.3,"strong":false},{"code":"31-9091.00","slug":"dental-assistants","title":"Dental Assistants","overlap":0.64,"months":13,"exposure":28.1,"strong":false}]}