Skip to Content Skip to Navigation
Students in Surgery

Surgical First Assistant, C.C.C.

Program Snapshot
Academic CredentialCertificate
Total Credit Hours59
Academic PathwayHealth Sciences
ADVISOR FOR LAST NAME A-MShannon E. Smith, M.H.Sc., CDEI, CST, CSFA, FAST
Surgical Services Program Coordinator
850.873.3551
ssmith@gulfcoast.edu

ADVISOR FOR LAST NAME N-ZBrittany Page, AS, CST, CSFA
Assistant Coordinator
850.769.1551, ext. 5881
bpage2@gulfcoast.edu

Academic Program SpecialistAlyssa Evans
850.913.3311
Health SciencesGCSC@gulfcoast.edu

Visit the Surgical Services Website

S. Smith faculty page

B. Page faculty page

Complete Program Application

ACCESS THE PROGRAM ROADMAP

Surgical First Assistant, Certificate

Want to Work in an Exciting Fast Paced Operating Room?

Would you like to work in a unique environment?

As a surgical first assistant, you will be in a challenging, fast-paced environment that can change human lives. An emergency can occur at anytime and no two human beings are alike. Everyday is spent exploring the human body, becoming familiar with surgical techniques, procedures and treatments. There is always something new to learn as technology and innovative changes are ongoing

A surgeon mentor provides the training and guidance to perfect your surgical techniques such as tissue manipulation and wound closure. As you progress, you can opt to specialize in a particular field such as General Surgery, Trauma, Open Heart, Orthopedics, Gynecology/Obstetrics, Robotic and/or Neurosurgery. 

Surgical First Assistant Certificate Course Requirements

BSC2085, Anatomy and Physiology I
BSC2085L, Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
BSC2086, Anatomy and Physiology II
BSC2086L, Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
HSC1000, Orientation to Perioperative Services
HSC1000L, Orientation to Periop Services Lab
HSC1531, Medical Terminology
Microbiology for Perioperative Services
STS1310, Surgical Tech & Procedures
STS1310L, Surgical Tech & Proc Lab/Clinical
STS1340C, Pharmacology and Anesthesia
STS1940C, Introduction to Surgery Clinical
STS2323, Surgical Procedures I
STS2323L, Surgical Procedures I Lab
STS2324, Surgical Procedures II
STS2324L, Surgical Procedures Simulation Lab II
STS2330C, Principles of Surgical Assisting
STS2335, Advanced Integrated Surgical Sciences
STS2336, Advanced Surgical Procedures for the Surgical Assistant
STS2361, The Art of Teamwork in Surgery
STS2365, Professional Skills for the OR Team
STS2370, Surgical Assisting Clinical
STS2936, Surgical Certification Symposium
STS2944C, Surgical Technologist Clinical I
STS2945C, Surgical Technologist Clinical II
STS2953, Surgical Technologist Portfolio I
STS2954, Surgical Technologist Portfolio II
Choose one: #*STS2366C, Surgical Assistant Professional Skills or #*STS2367, Management in Healthcare
Surgery

What can you do with a Surgical First Assistant Certificate?

Where do you work?

  • Hospitals or ambulatory care centers
  • For a surgeon or surgical group
  • Join a group of surgical assistants or open your own business working with several surgeons
  • Opportunities abound, are you interested in traveling? You can apply for traveling assignments throughout the United States including Alaska and Hawaii.

What do graduates do?

  • Prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, prepare and maintain sterile field, prevent the risk of infection, and assist with surgical operations.
  • Anticipate the next step, passing instrument, supplies or equipment thereby facilitating the surgical procedure.
  • Work alongside surgeons, making rounds preoperatively and postoperatively, seeing patients in the office, and assisting during the surgical procedure.
  • Assisting techniques include the provision of retraction, tissue manipulation, hemostasis, providing assistance with devices, instrumentation, approximation of tissue and suturing wounds.
  • Open your own business assisting surgeons in surgery.

Surgical Labs

Woman Scrubbing
You'll acquire the skills you need to be a successful Surgical Assistant in Gulf Coast State College's state-of-the-art labs in the George C. Tapper Health Sciences Building on the Panama City campus.
Surgical Assisting
Who is Eligible for the Surgical First Assistant, C.C.C. Program?
If you are a high school graduate, you can apply to this program. If you have earned credits from a regionally accredited college or university, you may have a head start at Gulf Coast State College. For more information about program eligibility , visit the Surgical Services Website.
Why Choose Gulf Coast State College to Earn Your degree?
Overall GCSC pass rate for the surgical technology certification exam (CST) for 2019 was 100% for those entering the SFA program. The national benchmark for the CST exam is 70%. The program pass rate for the surgical first assistant certification examination (CSFA) for 2019 annual report was 80%. The national benchmark for the CSFA exam is 71%. You'll get a great education with one of the lowest tuition rates in the state. With small class sizes and professors who care, you'll get the personal attention you deserve. More than 90% of our graduates would recommend Gulf Coast State College to others.
Surgical Services Students

Gulf Coast State College Surgical Services Program

Health Sciences Surgical Services Students.

Are you ready to Get Started?

Apply to GCSC

Visit the Gulf Coast admissions page to learn more about the application process.

Consult the Gulf Coast State College Catalog for specific program and course information.

Apply to Gulf Coast

Complete Program Application

Program Application Information

Apply for Financial Aid & Scholarships

There are many options available to help you pay for college. Find out more about  scholarships and financial aid at Gulf Coast State College.

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

Register for Classes

Check out the class registration dates and plan your schedule today.

REGISTER

 

Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs, activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. All questions or inquiries regarding compliance with laws relating to non-discrimination and all complaints regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination, may be directed to Lee Wood, Executive Director, Human Resources/Title II/504/Title IX Coordinator and Employment Equity Officer, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. US Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.