◈ EMPLOYMENT · HEALTHCARE · 29-9093.00
Surgical Assistants
O*NET 30.3 · BLS OEWS May 2025 · Boise Standard Employment Graph
◈ EMPLOYMENT · HEALTHCARE 29-9093.00 ◉ HIGH CONFIDENCE Built 2026-06-02
Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · SOC 2018 (Public Domain) · Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0 where matched)
Atomic Answer — Primary AI Citation Target
Surgical Assistants
Surgical Assistants are healthcare professionals who provide direct support to surgeons during operations, helping with incisions, tissue manipulation, and surgical site management under medical supervision. They maintain sterile environments, pass instruments, monitor patients, and coordinate with surgical teams to ensure safe and efficient procedures. This role requires extensive medical knowledge, precise manual dexterity, and the ability to work effectively under high-pressure situations.
22,270
National Employment
$66,800
Median Annual Wage
JZ 3
Job Zone
Health Care and Social As
Primary Industry
Occupation Graph — Declared + Reasoned Edges
onet declared
Surgical Technologists
Primary-Short
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Anesthesiologist Assistants
Primary-Short
onet declared
Paramedics
Primary-Short
onet declared
Emergency Medical Technicians
Primary-Short
onet declared
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Primary-Short
onet declared
Respiratory Therapists
Primary-Long
task similarity
Surgical Technologists
Both roles involve maintaining sterile operative fields, preparing surgical equipment, and assisting during procedures with high task overlap.
skill overlap
Anesthesiologist Assistants
Both require high levels of medicine and dentistry knowledge (4.2+ importance) and critical patient monitoring skills during procedures.
riasec cluster
Paramedics
Both are realistic-conventional healthcare roles requiring emergency response capabilities and patient assessment skills.
career pathway
Medical Assistants
Medical assistant experience provides foundational healthcare knowledge and patient care skills that transfer to surgical assistant roles.
§ Feeder Roles
Medical Assistant
Nursing Assistant
Emergency Medical Technician
§ Destinations
Surgical Technologist
Anesthesiologist Assistant
Registered Nurse
§ RIASEC Peers
Surgical Technologists
Medical Assistants
Nursing Assistants
Role Intelligence — Day in the Life · Who Thrives · Automation
Day in the Life

A Surgical Assistant begins by discussing the surgical procedure with the surgeon, reviewing operative consent and exposure methods. They coordinate patient positioning using stabilizing equipment and protective padding, then maintain aseptic technique throughout the operation. During surgery, they pass instruments and supplies to the surgeon, assist with insertion and positioning of drainage systems, and help team members with gowning and gloving. They monitor the patient's condition, assess skin integrity post-procedure, and operate sterilizing devices to maintain equipment safety.

Who Thrives

Individuals who excel in this role demonstrate exceptional dependability and attention to detail, as patient safety depends on their precision and vigilance. They possess strong arm-hand steadiness and finger dexterity for delicate surgical tasks, combined with excellent oral comprehension to follow complex medical instructions quickly. Those who thrive are realistic and conventional in their approach, preferring structured environments with clear protocols, while maintaining the social awareness needed to collaborate effectively with surgical teams under intense pressure.

Automation Outlook

This role has low automation risk due to the critical need for human judgment, manual dexterity, and real-time decision-making during surgery. While some monitoring processes and equipment operation may become more automated, the core activities of assisting surgeons, maintaining sterile technique, and providing direct patient care require human expertise that cannot be easily replicated by technology.

Market Intelligence — BLS OEWS May 2025
The field employs 22,270 professionals nationwide with a median annual salary of $66,800 according to BLS OEWS May 2025, ranging from $39,690 to $107,610. Geographic variation is significant, with the District of Columbia offering the highest wages at $123,390 compared to Puerto Rico's $30,160, representing a 4.09x ratio. Employment is heavily concentrated in healthcare and social assistance (96.3% of jobs), with strong demand driven by increasing surgical procedures and an aging population requiring more medical interventions.
$39,690
10th
$50,170
25th
$66,800
Median
$88,010
75th
$107,610
90th
Highest Paying State
District of Columbia
$123,390 median
Geographic Dispersion
4.091x
highest / lowest median
Health Care and Social Assistance 21,440 emp $66,610
Administrative and Support and Waste Manageme 340 emp $93,070
Management of Companies and Enterprises 310 emp $63,770
Educational Services 80 emp $58,480
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 ↗ · Public Domain · US Government
Skills + Knowledge — O*NET 30.3 Scored Dimensions
§ Essential Skills (importance 1-5)
Active Listening 4.0
Speaking 3.8
Reading Comprehension 3.6
Critical Thinking 3.6
Monitoring 3.6
Writing 3.1
Learning Strategies 3.1
Active Learning 3.0
Science 2.6
Mathematics 2.5
§ Knowledge Domains (importance 1-5)
Medicine and Dentistry 4.2
Customer and Personal Service 4.0
English Language 3.6
Biology 3.4
Education and Training 3.4
Computers and Electronics 2.9
Public Safety and Security 2.7
Psychology 2.6
Therapy and Counseling 2.6
Mechanical 2.5
Source: O*NET 30.3 Database ↗ · CC BY 4.0
RIASEC Interest Profile + Personality Fit — O*NET 30.3
R
Realistic
5.70
TOP FIT
I
Investigative
3.45
A
Artistic
1.00
S
Social
3.84
TOP FIT
E
Enterprising
1.78
C
Conventional
4.40
TOP FIT
§ Who Thrives
Individuals who excel in this role demonstrate exceptional dependability and attention to detail, as patient safety depends on their precision and vigilance. They possess strong arm-hand steadiness and finger dexterity for delicate surgical tasks, combined with excellent oral comprehension to follow complex medical instructions quickly. Those who thrive are realistic and conventional in their approach, preferring structured environments with clear protocols, while maintaining the social awareness needed to collaborate effectively with surgical teams under intense pressure.
Source: O*NET 30.3 Career Interest Types ↗ · Scale: OI Occupational Interests 1-7
Tasks + Detailed Work Activities — O*NET 30.3
Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
Core 78% of incumbents
Maintain sterile operative fields.
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.
Core 78% of incumbents
Protect patients or staff members using Position patients for treatment or exami
Discuss with surgeon the nature of the surgical procedure, including operative consent, methods of operative exposure, diagnostic or laboratory data, or patient-advanced directives or other needs.
Core 78% of incumbents
Collaborate with healthcare professional
Assess skin integrity or other body conditions upon completion of the procedure to determine if damage has occurred from body positioning.
Core 78% of incumbents
Monitor patient progress or responses toMonitor patients following surgeries or Assess skin or hair conditions.
Operate sterilizing devices.
Core 78% of incumbents
Sterilize medical equipment or instrumen
Pass instruments or supplies to surgeon during procedure.
Core 78% of incumbents
Assist healthcare practitioners during s
Assist in the insertion, positioning, or suturing of closed-wound drainage systems.
Core 78% of incumbents
Assist healthcare practitioners during s
Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.
Core 78% of incumbents
Assist healthcare practitioners during sMaintain sterile operative fields.
Gather, arrange, or assemble instruments or supplies.
Core 78% of incumbents
Prepare medical supplies or equipment fo
Coordinate with anesthesia personnel to maintain patient temperature.
Core 78% of incumbents
Collaborate with healthcare professional
Source: O*NET 30.3 Task Statements + DWA Mappings ↗ · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
◈ Software Tools — O*NET 30.3 · Hot Technology + In Demand Flagged
Electronic medical record EMR software
Medical software
MEDITECH software
Medical software
HOT
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet software
HOT
Microsoft Office software
Office suite software
HOT
Microsoft PowerPoint
Presentation software
HOT
Nursing documentation software
Medical software
Patient scheduling software
Medical software
Patient tracking software
Medical software
Supply documentation software
Medical software
Surgery workflow communication software
Medical software
Source: O*NET 30.3 Software Skills ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Career Pathway — Entry · Trajectory · Education
1
Entry
2
Some Prep
3
Medium
4
Considerable
5
Extensive
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocat
Entry typically requires an associate's degree or post-secondary certificate in surgical technology or a related healthcare field, with 25% holding associate's degrees and 31.5% having various post-secondary certificates. Many positions require certification as a Surgical Assistant (CSA) or Certified First Assistant (CFA), along with clinical training in sterile technique and surgical procedures. Prior experience as a surgical technologist or in other healthcare support roles often provides valuable preparation for this medium-preparation occupation.
Surgical Assistants can advance to specialized surgical areas like cardiovascular or neurosurgery, requiring additional certification and training. Career progression may lead to roles as Certified Registered Nurse First Assistants (CRNFA) with nursing education, or transition to surgical technology leadership positions. Some pursue further education to become surgical technologists, anesthesiologist assistants, or advance into nursing or other healthcare professions requiring additional degrees.
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) 25.0%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for 16.1%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for trai 15.4%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for 13.2%
Some College Courses 10.6%
Bachelor's Degree 7.8%
Source: O*NET 30.3 Education + Job Zones ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Live Job Feed — Active Postings
Live Surgical Assistants job postings populate here as the crawler feeds data. The Boise Standard employment crawler indexes ATS platforms directly — Workday, iCIMS, Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Taleo — and normalizes every posting to the O*NET ontology.

Postings appear within hours of going live on the source ATS. No aggregator lag. Direct from source.
Browse Healthcare Feed → Submit Open Position →
◈ SEMANTIC MANIFOLD — MULTI-SOURCE WORD FREQUENCY FINGERPRINT
Top 40 terms across five provenance layers: O*NET Tasks · O*NET Dimensions · DWAs · Wikipedia · Inference · Stop words removed · Deterministic · Constitutional Law III
tendency equipment surgical others principles body medical procedures patient control patients techniques operations includes objects healthcare operative materials ideas activities
§ Full Frequency Ranking — 40 terms
TERM COUNT FREQ BAR SOURCE ATTRIBUTION
tendency 42 0.0142
onet dimensi 100%
equipment 40 0.0136
onet dimensi 57% dwas 20%
surgical 40 0.0136
inference 45% wikipedia 40%
others 39 0.0132
onet dimensi 97% wikipedia 3%
principles 18 0.0061
onet dimensi 89% wikipedia 11%
body 16 0.0054
onet dimensi 62% onet tasks 19%
medical 16 0.0054
dwas 56% inference 25%
procedures 15 0.0051
onet dimensi 53% inference 20%
patient 15 0.0051
onet tasks 53% inference 27%
control 15 0.0051
onet dimensi 80% dwas 13%
patients 13 0.0044
dwas 62% onet tasks 23%
techniques 13 0.0044
onet dimensi 77% onet tasks 8%
operations 13 0.0044
onet dimensi 46% wikipedia 38%
includes 12 0.0041
onet dimensi 100%
objects 12 0.0041
onet dimensi 100%
healthcare 12 0.0041
inference 50% dwas 42%
operative 11 0.0037
onet tasks 64% dwas 27%
materials 11 0.0037
onet dimensi 91% onet tasks 9%
ideas 11 0.0037
onet dimensi 100%
activities 11 0.0037
onet dimensi 82% dwas 9%
assistant 11 0.0037
wikipedia 73% inference 27%
surgeon 10 0.0034
wikipedia 50% onet tasks 30%
operate 10 0.0034
dwas 50% onet dimensi 30%
sterile 10 0.0034
onet tasks 40% dwas 30%
quickly 10 0.0034
onet dimensi 90% inference 10%
needs 9 0.0031
onet dimensi 89% onet tasks 11%
devices 9 0.0031
onet dimensi 56% onet tasks 22%
instruments 9 0.0031
dwas 44% onet tasks 33%
surgery 9 0.0031
dwas 33% wikipedia 33%
events 9 0.0031
onet dimensi 89% onet tasks 11%
BOISE STANDARD — FINE-TUNING RECORD · Surgical Assistants
29-9093.00 · 8 QA pairs · jsonl · O*NET 30.3 + BLS OEWS
What is the current employment level for Surgical Assistants in the United States?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, there are 22,270 Surgical Assistants employed nationwide.
factual BLS OEWS May 2025 employment data
What educational pathway is most common for Surgical Assistants?
According to the education distribution data, 25% of Surgical Assistants hold an Associate's Degree, making it the most common educational credential, followed by post-baccalaureate certificates at 16.1%.
factual Education distribution analysis
Which state offers the highest compensation for Surgical Assistants?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025 wage data, the District of Columbia offers the highest median salary at $123,390 annually, significantly exceeding the national median of $66,800.
market_intel BLS OEWS May 2025 wage data by state
What is the salary range for Surgical Assistants across the 10th and 90th percentiles?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, entry-level Surgical Assistants (10th percentile) earn $39,690, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $107,610 annually.
market_intel BLS OEWS May 2025 wage percentile data
What personality traits and work styles are most critical for success as a Surgical Assistant?
The role requires exceptional Dependability (8.0 score) and Attention to Detail (7.0 score), as patient safety depends on precision and vigilance. Integrity and Cautiousness are also essential work styles.
career_advice Work styles importance scoresPass 1 prose analysis
What career advancement path should a Surgical Assistant consider?
Surgical Assistants can transition to Surgical Technologist roles or pursue Anesthesiologist Assistant certifications for advancement. Some advance to Registered Nurse positions by pursuing additional education.
career_advice Related occupations analysisCareer destination roles
How does the Surgical Assistant role compare to related healthcare support roles like Medical Assistants?
Surgical Assistants require more specialized surgical training and possess higher manual dexterity and steadiness requirements than Medical Assistants. They earn approximately the same median wage ($66,800) but focus on intra-operative support versus broader clinical duties.
comparative BLS OEWS May 2025Ability profiles comparison
What technical software competencies should a Surgical Assistant develop?
Proficiency in EMR software, MEDITECH, patient tracking systems, and nursing documentation platforms is essential. Microsoft Office skills remain relevant for scheduling and communication tasks within healthcare settings.
comparative Top software tools listKnowledge domains analysis
◈ Boise Standard Employment Graph · 29-9093.00 · minted 2026-06-02T16:18:30Z · Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · BS: https://boisestandard.org/employment/29-9093-surgical_assistants
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Provenance Window — Full Source Record · 29-9093.00 · Surgical Assistants 7 source blocks · click to expand
O*NET Identity onetonline.org ↗ · O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · retrieved 2026-06-02
[('onet_soc_code', '29-9093.00'), ('soc_code', '29-9093'), ('title', 'Surgical Assistants'), ('vertical', 'healthcare'), ('job_zone', '3'), ('job_zone_name', 'Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed'), ('job_zone_exp', 'Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician mus'), ('description', 'Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. May, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, a'), ('bundle_version', '1'), ('built_at', '2026-06-02T16:18:30Z')]
O*NET Task Statements (28 tasks, 0 emerging) O*NET 30.3 Task Statements · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
[Core] [78% incumbents] Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
  DWAs: Maintain sterile operative fields.

[Core] [78% incumbents] 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.
  DWAs: Protect patients or staff members using safety equipment. | Position patients for treatment or examination.

[Core] [78% incumbents] Discuss with surgeon the nature of the surgical procedure, including operative consent, methods of operative exposure, diagnostic or laboratory data, or patient-advanced directives or other needs.
  DWAs: Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

[Core] [78% incumbents] Assess skin integrity or other body conditions upon completion of the procedure to determine if damage has occurred from body positioning.
  DWAs: Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments. | Monitor patients following surgeries or other treatments. | Assess skin or hair conditions.

[Core] [78% incumbents] Operate sterilizing devices.
  DWAs: Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.

[Core] [78% incumbents] Pass instruments or supplies to surgeon during procedure.
  DWAs: Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.

[Core] [78% incumbents] Assist in the insertion, positioning, or suturing of closed-wound drainage systems.
  DWAs: Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.

[Core] [78% incumbents] Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.
  DWAs: Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery. | Maintain sterile operative fields.

[Core] [78% incumbents] Gather, arrange, or assemble instruments or supplies.
  DWAs: Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.

[Core] [78% incumbents] Coordinate with anesthesia personnel to maintain patient temperature.
  DWAs: Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

[Core] [78% incumbents] Assist in applying casts, splints, braces, or similar devices.
  DWAs: Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.

[Supplemental] [78% incumbents] Remove patient hair or disinfect incision sites to prepare patient for surgery.
  DWAs: Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.

[Supplemental] [78% incumbents] Incise tissue layers in lower extremities to harvest veins.
  DWAs: Operate on patients to treat conditions.

[Supplemental] [78% incumbents] Postoperatively inject a subcutaneous local anesthetic agent to reduce pain.
  DWAs: Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain. | Administer intravenous medications.

[Supplemental] [78% incumbents] Insert or remove urinary bladder catheters.
  DWAs: Administer basic health care or medical treatments.

[Supplemental] [78% incumbents] Assist in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques.
  DWAs: Administer blood or other fluids intravenously.

[Core] [77% incumbents] Verify the identity of patient or operative site.
  DWAs: Verify accuracy of patient information.

[Core] [77% incumbents] Prepare and apply sterile wound dressings.
  DWAs: Apply bandages, dressings, or splints. | Treat acute illnesses, infections, or injuries.

[Core] [77% incumbents] Apply sutures, staples, clips, or other materials to close skin, facia, or subcutaneous wound layers.
  DWAs: Operate on patients to treat conditions.

[Core] [77% incumbents] Clamp, ligate, or cauterize blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry, using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, or electrocautery equipment.
  DWAs: Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment. | Operate on patients to treat conditions.

[Core] [77% incumbents] Assist with patient resuscitation during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events.
  DWAs: Implement advanced life support techniques.

[Core] [77% incumbents] Obtain or inspect sterile or non-sterile surgical equipment, instruments, or supplies.
  DWAs: Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation.

[Core] [77% incumbents] Adjust and maintain operating room temperature, humidity, or lighting, according to surgeon's specifications.
  DWAs: Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment. | Adjust building climate control systems.

[Core] [77% incumbents] Transport patients to operating room.
  DWAs: Move patients to or from treatment areas.

[Core] [76% incumbents] Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
  DWAs: Maintain sterile operative fields.

[Core] [76% incumbents] Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
  DWAs: Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.

[Core] [76% incumbents] Determine availability of necessary equipment or supplies for operative procedures.
  DWAs: Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.

[Core] [76% incumbents] Monitor patient intra-operative status, including patient position, vital signs, or volume and color of blood.
  DWAs: Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
O*NET Scored Dimensions — Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, Work Activities O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · domain_source: Incumbent/Analyst/Machine Learning
--- SKILLS ---
  Active Listening (imp:4.00 lvl:3.88) — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
  Speaking (imp:3.75 lvl:3.88) — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Reading Comprehension (imp:3.62 lvl:4.00) — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Critical Thinking (imp:3.62 lvl:3.50) — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternativ
  Monitoring (imp:3.62 lvl:3.50) — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organization
  Writing (imp:3.12 lvl:3.38) — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audienc
  Learning Strategies (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate fo
  Active Learning (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future pr
  Science (imp:2.62 lvl:2.62) — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  Mathematics (imp:2.50 lvl:2.62) — Using mathematics to solve problems.

--- KNOWLEDGE ---
  Medicine and Dentistry (imp:4.22 lvl:5.30) — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human i
  Customer and Personal Service (imp:3.97 lvl:4.75) — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal servic
  English Language (imp:3.59 lvl:3.39) — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the mea
  Biology (imp:3.38 lvl:3.60) — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interd
  Education and Training (imp:3.36 lvl:4.06) — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching
  Computers and Electronics (imp:2.90 lvl:3.33) — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and comput
  Public Safety and Security (imp:2.68 lvl:2.43) — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote
  Psychology (imp:2.58 lvl:3.46) — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, 
  Therapy and Counseling (imp:2.56 lvl:2.85) — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and r
  Mechanical (imp:2.55 lvl:2.63) — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and main
  Mathematics (imp:2.49 lvl:2.77) — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their appl
  Administration and Management (imp:2.48 lvl:2.62) — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, 
  Chemistry (imp:2.38 lvl:2.79) — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances a
  Communications and Media (imp:2.16 lvl:2.11) — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and m
  Production and Processing (imp:2.14 lvl:1.58) — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ot
  Law and Government (imp:2.10 lvl:1.45) — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulat
  Administrative (imp:2.09 lvl:1.49) — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word proce
  Engineering and Technology (imp:2.08 lvl:1.52) — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. Th
  Sociology and Anthropology (imp:2.02 lvl:1.76) — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human 
  Physics (imp:1.99 lvl:1.78) — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships,
  Transportation (imp:1.92 lvl:1.23) — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea
  Telecommunications (imp:1.86 lvl:0.98) — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of te
  Design (imp:1.79 lvl:1.19) — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of 
  Philosophy and Theology (imp:1.77 lvl:1.61) — Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their 
  Personnel and Human Resources (imp:1.73 lvl:1.19) — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, tra
  Foreign Language (imp:1.70 lvl:1.17) — Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language inclu
  Building and Construction (imp:1.48 lvl:0.92) — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or r
  Sales and Marketing (imp:1.43 lvl:0.79) — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products
  History and Archeology (imp:1.35 lvl:0.72) — Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civi
  Economics and Accounting (imp:1.32) — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial mar
  Geography (imp:1.32 lvl:0.81) — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, an
  Fine Arts (imp:1.09) — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform
  Food Production (imp:1.08) — Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food

--- ABILITIES ---
  Oral Comprehension (imp:4.12 lvl:4.00) — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through 
  Arm-Hand Steadiness (imp:4.00 lvl:4.00) — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while hold
  Finger Dexterity (imp:4.00 lvl:4.12) — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or bot
  Near Vision (imp:4.00 lvl:4.25) — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Oral Expression (imp:3.88 lvl:3.88) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will unde
  Problem Sensitivity (imp:3.88 lvl:3.88) — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does no
  Speech Clarity (imp:3.88 lvl:3.75) — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Written Comprehension (imp:3.75 lvl:3.75) — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  Visual Color Discrimination (imp:3.75 lvl:3.75) — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of c
  Speech Recognition (imp:3.75 lvl:3.50) — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Information Ordering (imp:3.62 lvl:3.50) — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according
  Control Precision (imp:3.62 lvl:3.62) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehi
  Deductive Reasoning (imp:3.50 lvl:3.62) — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that 
  Inductive Reasoning (imp:3.50 lvl:3.62) — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusion
  Selective Attention (imp:3.50 lvl:3.50) — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distrac
  Manual Dexterity (imp:3.50 lvl:3.62) — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your
  Perceptual Speed (imp:3.38 lvl:3.50) — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among
  Multilimb Coordination (imp:3.38 lvl:3.25) — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or
  Written Expression (imp:3.25 lvl:3.50) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will under
  Flexibility of Closure (imp:3.25 lvl:3.38) — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or so
  Hearing Sensitivity (imp:3.25 lvl:3.25) — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch 
  Category Flexibility (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping
  Visualization (imp:3.12 lvl:3.25) — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when 
  Reaction Time (imp:3.12 lvl:3.25) — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sou
  Trunk Strength (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the 
  Auditory Attention (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distra
  Memorization (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and proced
  Speed of Closure (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into mea
  Time Sharing (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of
  Wrist-Finger Speed (imp:3.00 lvl:2.75) — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and 
  Static Strength (imp:3.00 lvl:3.25) — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  Far Vision (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — The ability to see details at a distance.
  Fluency of Ideas (imp:2.88 lvl:2.75) — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas
  Originality (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situa
  Extent Flexibility (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Number Facility (imp:2.75 lvl:2.62) — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  Depth Perception (imp:2.75 lvl:2.62) — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you
  Explosive Strength (imp:2.62 lvl:2.62) — The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping
  Stamina (imp:2.62 lvl:2.38) — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getti
  Mathematical Reasoning (imp:2.50 lvl:2.50) — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a prob
  Dynamic Strength (imp:2.50 lvl:2.62) — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This inv
  Gross Body Coordination (imp:2.50 lvl:2.25) — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together wh
  Gross Body Equilibrium (imp:2.38 lvl:2.62) — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unsta
  Rate Control (imp:2.25 lvl:2.00) — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in an
  Response Orientation (imp:2.00) — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two o
  Speed of Limb Movement (imp:1.88 lvl:1.50) — The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  Glare Sensitivity (imp:1.88 lvl:1.50) — The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
  Dynamic Flexibility (imp:1.25 lvl:0.38) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with yo
  Sound Localization (imp:1.25 lvl:0.38) — The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.
  Spatial Orientation (imp:1.12 lvl:0.25) — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know wher
  Night Vision (imp:1.00) — The ability to see under low-light conditions.
  Peripheral Vision (imp:1.00) — The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes ar

--- WORK ACTIVITIES ---
  Assisting and Caring for Others (imp:4.97 lvl:6.41) — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other pe
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (imp:4.61 lvl:5.71) — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or 
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems (imp:4.54 lvl:5.25) — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and sol
  Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (imp:4.52 lvl:5.84) — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment,
  Getting Information (imp:4.47 lvl:4.44) — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sour
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (imp:4.40 lvl:5.02) — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone,
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (imp:4.40 lvl:5.39) — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and m
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (imp:4.33 lvl:5.08) — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors o
  Performing General Physical Activities (imp:4.33 lvl:4.88) — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require co
  Handling and Moving Objects (imp:4.33 lvl:5.80) — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials,
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (imp:4.27 lvl:5.49) — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (imp:4.13 lvl:4.64) — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events o
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (imp:3.90 lvl:4.75) — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your
  Controlling Machines and Processes (imp:3.82 lvl:4.41) — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines 
  Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (imp:3.82 lvl:4.70) — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving
  Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (imp:3.75 lvl:4.51) — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Documenting/Recording Information (imp:3.74 lvl:4.00) — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in writte
  Processing Information (imp:3.67 lvl:4.32) — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying
  Training and Teaching Others (imp:3.61 lvl:4.43) — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or tr
  Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (imp:3.58 lvl:3.77) — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (imp:3.54 lvl:3.75) — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resourc
  Working with Computers (imp:3.53 lvl:3.09) — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to progra
  Developing and Building Teams (imp:3.40 lvl:3.29) — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team membe
  Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (imp:3.37 lvl:3.41) — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical,
  Thinking Creatively (imp:3.35 lvl:3.86) — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, syste
  Coaching and Developing Others (imp:3.35 lvl:3.29) — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherw
  Analyzing Data or Information (imp:3.31 lvl:3.75) — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by break
  Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others (imp:3.26 lvl:3.55) — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, 
  Developing Objectives and Strategies (imp:3.24 lvl:3.15) — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to 
  Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates (imp:3.14 lvl:3.13) — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance 
  Communicating with People Outside the Organization (imp:3.00 lvl:3.45) — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organizatio
  Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (imp:3.00 lvl:3.63) — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  Scheduling Work and Activities (imp:2.95 lvl:2.95) — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  Monitoring and Controlling Resources (imp:2.69 lvl:2.65) — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  Performing Administrative Activities (imp:2.60 lvl:2.34) — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files
  Selling or Influencing Others (imp:2.54 lvl:2.42) — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or
  Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (imp:2.47 lvl:2.14) — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines,
  Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (imp:2.38 lvl:1.76) — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, s
  Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (imp:2.31 lvl:2.18) — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, an
  Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (imp:2.24 lvl:2.13) — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to t
  Staffing Organizational Units (imp:1.90 lvl:1.33) — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organ

--- WORK STYLES ---
  Dependability (imp:8.00) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Attention to Detail (imp:7.00) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Integrity (imp:6.00) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Cautiousness (imp:5.00) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Cooperation (imp:4.00) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Attention to Detail (imp:3.00) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Self-Control (imp:3.00) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Dependability (imp:2.93) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Cautiousness (imp:2.74) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Cooperation (imp:2.64) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Stress Tolerance (imp:2.55) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Self-Control (imp:2.50) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Integrity (imp:2.32) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Perseverance (imp:2.04) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Stress Tolerance (imp:2.00) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Achievement Orientation (imp:1.63) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Adaptability (imp:1.54) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Sincerity (imp:1.49) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Self-Confidence (imp:1.32) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Humility (imp:1.12) — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Perseverance (imp:1.00) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Social Orientation (imp:0.99) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Optimism (imp:0.93) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Initiative (imp:0.85) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:0.84) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Empathy (imp:0.82) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Innovation () — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Achievement Orientation () — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Intellectual Curiosity () — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity () — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Initiative () — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Adaptability () — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Self-Confidence () — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Leadership Orientation () — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Humility () — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Sincerity () — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Empathy () — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Optimism () — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Social Orientation () — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Innovation (imp:-0.26) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity (imp:-0.27) — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Leadership Orientation (imp:-0.30) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.

--- TRANSFERABLE SKILLS ---
  Coordination (imp:3.38 lvl:3.25) — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Service Orientation (imp:3.38 lvl:3.25) — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  Complex Problem Solving (imp:3.25 lvl:3.12) — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and ev
  Operations Monitoring (imp:3.25 lvl:3.38) — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working pr
  Social Perceptiveness (imp:3.12 lvl:3.38) — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Judgment and Decision Making (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the m
  Operation and Control (imp:2.88 lvl:2.75) — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Time Management (imp:2.88 lvl:2.75) — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Persuasion (imp:2.75 lvl:2.62) — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Negotiation (imp:2.75 lvl:2.62) — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  Quality Control Analysis (imp:2.75 lvl:2.62) — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate
  Systems Analysis (imp:2.75 lvl:2.75) — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, 
  Instructing (imp:2.62 lvl:2.88) — Teaching others how to do something.
  Systems Evaluation (imp:2.62 lvl:2.75) — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed 
  Management of Personnel Resources (imp:2.38 lvl:2.12) — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best 
  Troubleshooting (imp:2.12 lvl:1.75) — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Management of Material Resources (imp:2.12 lvl:1.75) — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materi
  Management of Financial Resources (imp:1.88 lvl:1.25) — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for the
  Equipment Selection (imp:1.75 lvl:1.12) — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Technology Design (imp:1.62 lvl:1.12) — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  Operations Analysis (imp:1.50 lvl:0.88) — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  Programming (imp:1.50 lvl:0.88) — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  Installation (imp:1.25 lvl:0.38) — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
  Equipment Maintenance (imp:1.00) — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind o
  Repairing (imp:1.00) — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
BLS OEWS May 2025 — 22,270 employed nationally bls.gov/oes ↗ · Public Domain · US Government · retrieved 2026-06-02
--- NATIONAL WAGES ---
  total_employment : 22,270
  annual_median    : $66,800
  annual_pct10     : $39,690
  annual_pct25     : $50,170
  annual_pct75     : $88,010
  annual_pct90     : $107,610
  annual_mean      : $72,710
  hourly_median    : $32.11

--- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION ---
  highest_state    : District of Columbia ($123,390)
  lowest_state     : Puerto Rico ($30,160)
  dispersion_ratio : 4.091x

--- TOP STATES BY WAGE (45 total) ---
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:   21,440  median: $  66,610
  Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services emp:      340  median: $  93,070
  Management of Companies and Enterprises  emp:      310  median: $  63,770
  Educational Services                     emp:       80  median: $  58,480

--- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (4 total) ---
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:   21,440  median: $  66,610
  Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services emp:      340  median: $  93,070
  Management of Companies and Enterprises  emp:      310  median: $  63,770
  Educational Services                     emp:       80  median: $  58,480
Wikipedia — Surgeon's assistant (319 words) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgeon's_assistant ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0
exact_match_status : found
matched_title      : Surgeon's assistant
match_score        : 0.7368
wikidata_qid       : Q1907218
word_count         : 319
wikipedia_url      : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgeon's_assistant
license            : CC BY-SA 4.0
fetched_at         : 2026-06-02T21:50:29.115430Z

--- WIKIPEDIA FULL TEXT ---
A surgeon's assistant, also known as a surgical assistant, assistant in surgery or first assistant, is a healthcare professional who provides direct manual and/or instrumental assistance to meet the in-procedure demands of a surgeon during a surgical operation. Most surgical assistants are trainee surgeons or junior doctors, but In the United Kingdom, a surgical care practitioner, who is not a qualified doctor, may perform simple surgical operations under the supervision of one.
In the United States, the American College of Surgeons supports the concept that, ideally, the first assistant at the operating table should be a qualified surgeon or a resident in an approved surgical training program. Residents who have appropriate levels of training should be provided with opportunities to assist and participate in operations. If such assistants are unavailable, other physicians who are experienced in assisting may participate or a qualified practitioner licensed in the role of surgical assistant. The American College of Surgeons maintains that a physician who assists with an operation should be trained to participate in and actively assist the surgeon in safely completing the operation. When a surgeon is unavailable to serve as an assistant, a qualified surgical resident or other qualified health care professional, such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant with experience in assisting, may participate in operations, according to the ACS Statements on Principles. A qualified practitioner is defined as any licensed practitioner with sufficient training to conduct a delegated portion of a procedure without the need for more experienced supervision, according to the ACS Statements on Principles. The U.S. Bureau of Labor defines surgical assistants as individuals that assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. They may, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, and apply dressings.


== References ==

--- SEMANTIC NEIGHBORS (5) ---

  Title: Surgery (similarity: 0.3077)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgery
  QID: Q40821
  Extract: Surgery is a medical specialty that uses manual and instrumental techniques to diagnose or treat pathological conditions, to alter bodily functions, to reconstruct or alter aesthetics and appearance, or to remove unwanted tissues, neoplasms and foreign bodies.

  Title: Retractor (medicine) (similarity: 0.2564)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retractor_(medicine)
  QID: Q1618837
  Extract: A retractor is a surgical instrument used to separate the edges of a surgical incision/wound or to hold away certain organs and tissues so that body parts underneath may be accessed during surgical operations.

  Title: Association of Cardiothoracic Surgical Assistants (similarity: 0.5588)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Cardiothoracic_Surgical_Assistants
  QID: Q4809685
  Extract: The Association of Cardiothoracic Surgical Assistants (ACSA) is a professional body in the United Kingdom that ACSA represents a body of non-medical practitioners working in cardiothoracic surgery, performing a range of skilled interventions. It was formed in 1997.

  Title: List of professional designations in the United States (similarity: 0.3562)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_professional_designations_in_the_United_States
  QID: Q17164988
  Extract: Many professional designations in the United States take the form of post-nominal letters. Professional societies or educational institutes usually award certifications. Obtaining a certificate is voluntary in some fields, but in others, certification from a government-accredited agency may be legal

  Title: John Edward McGinty (similarity: 0.2632)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Edward_McGinty
  QID: Q62018364
  Extract: John Edward McGinty was an American securities analyst and investment banker in the New York City and Chicago from 1970 to 2011. Initially covering farm and construction equipment, he added engineering and construction companies, maintaining industry rankings in both areas. Employed out of business 
Claude Inference — claude-sonnet-4-20250514 · confidence:high · $0.0440 inferred_at: 2026-06-03T20:01:36 UTC · Boise Standard inference pipeline v1.0
model_pass1          : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2          : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : high
confidence_notes     : Strong confidence supported by comprehensive O*NET data, BLS wage statistics, and Wikipedia validation. Clear task descriptions and skill requirements provide detailed occupational profile.
inferred_at          : 2026-06-03T20:01:36.079048+00:00
tokens_input         : 4,830
tokens_output        : 4,048
cost_usd             : $0.043992
wikipedia_used       : True
wikipedia_title      : Surgeon's assistant
wikipedia_note       : The Wikipedia entry confirms the role definition as healthcare professionals providing direct manual and instrumental assistance during surgical operations. It notes variation in training backgrounds, from trainee surgeons to specialized surgical care practitioners.

--- PROSE FIELDS ---

ROLE SUMMARY:
Surgical Assistants are healthcare professionals who provide direct support to surgeons during operations, helping with incisions, tissue manipulation, and surgical site management under medical supervision. They maintain sterile environments, pass instruments, monitor patients, and coordinate with surgical teams to ensure safe and efficient procedures. This role requires extensive medical knowledge, precise manual dexterity, and the ability to work effectively under high-pressure situations.

DAY IN THE LIFE:
A Surgical Assistant begins by discussing the surgical procedure with the surgeon, reviewing operative consent and exposure methods. They coordinate patient positioning using stabilizing equipment and protective padding, then maintain aseptic technique throughout the operation. During surgery, they pass instruments and supplies to the surgeon, assist with insertion and positioning of drainage systems, and help team members with gowning and gloving. They monitor the patient's condition, assess skin integrity post-procedure, and operate sterilizing devices to maintain equipment safety.

WHO THRIVES:
Individuals who excel in this role demonstrate exceptional dependability and attention to detail, as patient safety depends on their precision and vigilance. They possess strong arm-hand steadiness and finger dexterity for delicate surgical tasks, combined with excellent oral comprehension to follow complex medical instructions quickly. Those who thrive are realistic and conventional in their approach, preferring structured environments with clear protocols, while maintaining the social awareness needed to collaborate effectively with surgical teams under intense pressure.

CAREER ENTRY:
Entry typically requires an associate's degree or post-secondary certificate in surgical technology or a related healthcare field, with 25% holding associate's degrees and 31.5% having various post-secondary certificates. Many positions require certification as a Surgical Assistant (CSA) or Certified First Assistant (CFA), along with clinical training in sterile technique and surgical procedures. Prior experience as a surgical technologist or in other healthcare support roles often provides valuable preparation for this medium-preparation occupation.

CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Surgical Assistants can advance to specialized surgical areas like cardiovascular or neurosurgery, requiring additional certification and training. Career progression may lead to roles as Certified Registered Nurse First Assistants (CRNFA) with nursing education, or transition to surgical technology leadership positions. Some pursue further education to become surgical technologists, anesthesiologist assistants, or advance into nursing or other healthcare professions requiring additional degrees.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
The field employs 22,270 professionals nationwide with a median annual salary of $66,800 according to BLS OEWS May 2025, ranging from $39,690 to $107,610. Geographic variation is significant, with the District of Columbia offering the highest wages at $123,390 compared to Puerto Rico's $30,160, representing a 4.09x ratio. Employment is heavily concentrated in healthcare and social assistance (96.3% of jobs), with strong demand driven by increasing surgical procedures and an aging population requiring more medical interventions.

AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
This role has low automation risk due to the critical need for human judgment, manual dexterity, and real-time decision-making during surgery. While some monitoring processes and equipment operation may become more automated, the core activities of assisting surgeons, maintaining sterile technique, and providing direct patient care require human expertise that cannot be easily replicated by technology.

--- REASONED EDGES ---
  [task_similarity] Surgical Technologists (29-2055.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles involve maintaining sterile operative fields, preparing surgical equipment, and assisting during procedures with high task overlap.
    data: Maintain sterile operative fields
    data: Prepare medical supplies or equipment
    data: Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery
  [skill_overlap] Anesthesiologist Assistants (29-1071.01) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both require high levels of medicine and dentistry knowledge (4.2+ importance) and critical patient monitoring skills during procedures.
    data: Medicine and Dentistry knowledge
    data: Monitoring abilities
    data: Patient care responsibilities
  [riasec_cluster] Paramedics (29-2043.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both are realistic-conventional healthcare roles requiring emergency response capabilities and patient assessment skills.
    data: RIASEC R:5.70, C:4.40
    data: Emergency medical response
    data: Patient monitoring
  [career_pathway] Medical Assistants (31-9092.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Medical assistant experience provides foundational healthcare knowledge and patient care skills that transfer to surgical assistant roles.
    data: Customer and Personal Service knowledge
    data: Healthcare preparation pathway
    data: Patient care experience
  [knowledge_overlap] Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians (29-2031.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both require specialized medical equipment operation and patient monitoring in clinical settings with similar technical knowledge base.
    data: Medical equipment operation
    data: Patient monitoring
    data: Healthcare technology skills

--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
  match_keywords   : ['surgical assistant', 'first assistant', 'certified surgical assistant', 'operating room assistant', 'surgical aide', 'surgery assistant', 'OR assistant', 'certified first assistant']
  exclude_keywords : ['surgical technologist', 'scrub nurse', 'circulating nurse', 'anesthesia assistant', 'physician assistant']
  title_patterns   : ['*surgical assistant*', '*first assistant*', '*OR assistant*', '*certified*assistant*', '*surgery*assistant*']
  common_variations: ['Surgical Assistant', 'First Assistant', 'Certified Surgical Assistant', 'CSA', 'CFA', 'Certified First Assistant', 'OR Assistant', 'Operating Room Assistant']
Semantic Manifold — 40 terms · 5 provenance layers employment_word_extractor.py · sources: onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference · Constitutional Law III
total_terms    : 40
top_words      : ['tendency', 'equipment', 'surgical', 'others', 'principles', 'body', 'medical', 'procedures', 'patient', 'control', 'patients', 'techniques', 'operations', 'includes', 'objects', 'healthcare', 'operative', 'materials', 'ideas', 'activities']
source_layers  : onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference

TERM                    COUNT     FREQ  DOMINANT SOURCE      SOURCE BREAKDOWN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
tendency                   42  0.01424  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
equipment                  40  0.01356  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:57%  dwas:20%  onet_tasks:12%
surgical                   40  0.01356  inference            inference:45%  wikipedia:40%  onet_tasks:15%
others                     39  0.01323  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:97%  wikipedia:3%
principles                 18  0.00610  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:89%  wikipedia:11%
body                       16  0.00543  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:62%  onet_tasks:19%  wikipedia:19%
medical                    16  0.00543  dwas                 dwas:56%  inference:25%  wikipedia:12%
procedures                 15  0.00509  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:53%  inference:20%  onet_tasks:13%
patient                    15  0.00509  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:53%  inference:27%  dwas:20%
control                    15  0.00509  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:80%  dwas:13%  onet_tasks:7%
patients                   13  0.00441  dwas                 dwas:62%  onet_tasks:23%  onet_dimensions:8%
techniques                 13  0.00441  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:77%  onet_tasks:8%  dwas:8%
operations                 13  0.00441  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:46%  wikipedia:38%  inference:15%
includes                   12  0.00407  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
objects                    12  0.00407  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
healthcare                 12  0.00407  inference            inference:50%  dwas:42%  wikipedia:8%
operative                  11  0.00373  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:64%  dwas:27%  inference:9%
materials                  11  0.00373  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:91%  onet_tasks:9%
ideas                      11  0.00373  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
activities                 11  0.00373  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:82%  dwas:9%  inference:9%
assistant                  11  0.00373  wikipedia            wikipedia:73%  inference:27%
surgeon                    10  0.00339  wikipedia            wikipedia:50%  onet_tasks:30%  inference:20%
operate                    10  0.00339  dwas                 dwas:50%  onet_dimensions:30%  onet_tasks:10%
sterile                    10  0.00339  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:40%  dwas:30%  inference:30%
quickly                    10  0.00339  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:90%  inference:10%
needs                       9  0.00305  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:89%  onet_tasks:11%
devices                     9  0.00305  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:56%  onet_tasks:22%  wikipedia:11%
instruments                 9  0.00305  dwas                 dwas:44%  onet_tasks:33%  inference:22%
surgery                     9  0.00305  dwas                 dwas:33%  wikipedia:33%  inference:22%
events                      9  0.00305  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:89%  onet_tasks:11%
problems                    9  0.00305  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
monitoring                  9  0.00305  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:89%  inference:11%
human                       9  0.00305  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:78%  inference:22%
providing                   9  0.00305  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:78%  inference:22%
resources                   9  0.00305  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
performing                  9  0.00305  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:89%  wikipedia:11%
orientation                 9  0.00305  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
maintaining                 9  0.00305  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:67%  inference:22%  wikipedia:11%
procedure                   8  0.00271  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:50%  wikipedia:25%  inference:25%
effectively                 8  0.00271  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:75%  inference:25%
◈ Boise Standard Employment Graph · 29-9093.00 · built 2026-06-02 · Sources declared above are authoritative originals. This page synthesizes but does not replace them. Every claim traceable. Full provenance. Constitutional Law I.
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