Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Become a Surgical First Assistant
in 12 months

Begin your path toward a rewarding and high-paying career in Mayo Clinic’s 12-month Surgical First Assistant Program. As a surgeon’s second pair of hands, you’ll conduct vital tasks such as selecting equipment and closing wounds. In exchange for 24 months of employment after graduation at Mayo Clinic, you can attend the program for free.
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click here to watch this video for a behind-the-scenes look at Mayo Clinic’s Surgical First Assistant Program

Advance in healthcare at one of the nation’s top medical centers

  • In-person in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic’s Surgical First Assistant Program is one of just 14 such programs in the nation.
  • 5 months of classroom and lab education, mixed with 7 months of clinical experience.
  • Dedicated hands-on experience, by working on hundreds of surgical cases.
  • Earn a certificate of completion from Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences and be able to sit for 2 nationally recognized certification exams.

Watch this video for a behind-the-scenes look at Mayo Clinic’s Surgical First Assistant Program.

Discover the Program Experience

94%

Job placement rate upon completion

$75K–$112K

Surgical first assistant salary range at Mayo Clinic

12 Months

Program length

1 of only 14

surgical first assistant programs nationwide

Free Cost of tuition

with a 24-month Mayo Clinic employment commitment

A Hands-On and Tuition-Free Path to Surgical First-Assistant Certification

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Clinical Experiences

With an emphasis on real-world learning, students complete 34 hours of clinical rotations and finish with about 1,150 hours of hands-on experience.

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Prepare for 2 Certifications

Upon completion, you can sit for the Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) exam and the Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) exam.

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Tuition-Free

As part of Mayo Clinic’s Education for Employment Agreement, you can attend tuition-free in exchange for a 24-month employment commitment at Mayo Clinic.
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Launch a new surgical career in just 12 months!

Take the Next Step

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science

200 First St. SW
Rochester, MN 55905

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