The Surgical First Assistant, also known as a surgical assistant or first assist, plays a vital role in the operating room during surgeries. This position focuses on supporting the surgeon by anticipating the needs of the surgical team. During procedures, the Surgical First Assistant assists with various tasks, including selecting equipment, holding incisions open, controlling bleeding, closing incisions, and performing other technical duties.
The NBSTSA’s certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accreditation division of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) and is in compliance with NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs.
The Examination Review Committee for the Certified Surgical First Assistant examination (CSFA-ERC) has the responsibility within NBSTSA for examination design and development of the national certifying examination for surgical first assistants.
CSFA
Examination Development
The CSFA-ERC is responsible for reviewing, editing, referencing and categorizing examination questions in accordance with Examination Content Outlines. CSFA-ERC members also participate in the Job Analysis survey.
The CSFA-ERC evaluates the examination for quality and continuity and as well as reviews statistical data on question performance. This assures the relevancy, currency and accuracy of the content of the CSFA examination. Professional psychometricians from Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) assist the CSFA-ERC in this process.
The CSFA-ERC is composed of members representing the major geographical areas of the country, to prevent regional bias on the examination. The committee consists of eight (8) professionals with the following qualifications:
- Six (6) practicing Certified Surgical First Assistants (CSFA)
- One (1) surgical first assistant educator from a NBSTSA recognized program
- One (1) Board Certified Surgeon