Surgical First Assist
Altru Health System
Grand Forks, ND, USA
Posted on Dec 12, 2025
Everything we do is underscored by a why — and that why is one another.
Location:
Altru Hospital
1200 South Columbia Road
Grand Forks, ND 58201Summary:
The Surgical First Assistant is a perioperative surgical technologist who works in collaboration with the surgeon and other health care team members to achieve optimal patient outcomes. The surgical first assistant demonstrates the necessary knowledge, judgement, and skills specific to the role of surgical first assist practice. These behavior practices include certain delegated medical functions that can be assumed by the surgical first assist. Surgical First Assist behaviors vary depending on patient populations, practice environments, service provided, accessibility of human and fiscal resources, institutional policy, and state regulations.Essential Job Functions:
Demonstrates a knowledge base of various procedures and surgical first assist techniques.
Follows principles of sterile technique
Maintains proficiency in endoscopic vein harvest - preferred not required
Demonstrates suturing skills including tying techniques, ligaturing vessels, wound closure, and hemostasis
Assists in preparation of the patient with draping, positioning, instrumentation, and equipment according to standard operating procedure
Identifies and communicates unusual techniques/instruments with the operative team
Participates in measuring and monitoring quality indicator, outcomes.
Other Duties as assigned
Certification:
First Assistant - Certified | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) | Prior to Start Date | HR Primary Sources
Unlicensed Assistive Person - Technician (UAP/T) | North Dakota Board of Nursing | Prior to Start Date | HR Primary Sources
Notes:
Graduate of an accredited Surgical First Assistant Program (Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
In order to function as a surgical assistant in the Operating Room, each individual must complete the competency assessment and be credentialed through Altru Health System’s credentialing process.
Education:
• Required: Associates - Surgical First AssistantWork Experience:
• Required: A minimum of 1 year Related ExperienceLanguage Requirements:
This position requires proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English to ensure effective communication in the workplace and with patients, families, and team members.
Physical Demands :
• Sit: Occasionally (5-33%)• Stand: Continuously (67-100%)• Walk: Continuously (67-100%)• Stoop/Bend: Occasionally (5-33%)• Reach: Frequently (34-66%)• Crawl: Not Applicable• Squat/Crouch/Kneel: Occasionally (5-33%)• Twist: Occasionally (5-33%)• Handle/Finger/Feel: Continuously (67-100%)• See: Continuously (67-100%)• Hear: Continuously (67-100%)Weight Demands:
• Lift -Floor to Waist Level: Medium (20-40 pounds)• Carry: Medium (20-40 pounds)• Push/Pull: Medium (20-40 pounds)• Slide/Transfer: Medium (20-40 pounds)Working Conditions:
• Indoor: Continuously (67-100%)• Outdoor: Not Applicable• Extreme Temperature: Not ApplicableDriving Requirement Definitions:
- Professional Drivers: Persons who drive as their main responsibility OR transport passengers or hazardous materials.
- Frequent Drivers: Persons whose main responsibility is not driving, but drive daily or almost daily.
- Occasional Drivers: Persons who drive from once per month to as frequently as once per week.
- Infrequent Drivers: Persons who are generally not expected to drive.
Driving Requirement for this position:
Infrequent DriverReference ID: R6901Making a real difference. For one another.
To take the best care of our patients and community — including friends, family, and neighbors — we need people who are committed to growth, excellence, and one another.
At Altru, you’ll find a culture where support and teamwork are at the heart of what we do. You’ll have opportunities to advance your skills, work with the latest technologies, experience the fulfillment that comes from giving back, and take your career wherever you want it to go.
Join our team and be a part of a small community with a big heart.
Altru offers a comprehensive benefits package to its full- and part-time employees. Excellent benefits include a health plan and 401(k) retirement plan. Other benefits include a dental plan, vision plan, life and disability insurance, education assistance, paid time off (PTO)
