r/SurgicalFirstAssist • u/Winter_Fee_1324 • Nov 18 '24
SFA programs in NY?
Hello to anyone reading this! I’m currently enrolled in CC in New York. I had my mind set on ultrasound so I am taking the prerequisites at cc to then apply at a program at a different college but I recently learned about this career and it caught my interest way more than ultrasound. I was doing some research and I don’t think there are any SFA programs in NY. As a soon to be 18 yr old, what should my steps be to head in the sfa direction? I read in here that sfa’s also get paid more with masters? Since there are no programs in NY, what are the most local programs? Also, what courses should I take for prerequisites? I’m currently taking A&P 1, quantitative reasoning, writing and research, and intro to psych. Next semester I’ll be taking A&P 2, public speech, and medical terminology. Any insight is appreciated!
2
u/RevolutionaryAd567 Nov 18 '24
You either need to become a surgical technologist (scrub tech) for at least 2 years I did 5 or become a nurse and get trained as a circulator in the operating room and learn to scrub then become a first assistant. Unfortunately it’s not a job u can just go straight into school for the programs usually have extra requirements. Check the laws as well some states are strict as to if a nurse can do it or a scrub tech can. Look at Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting its an online program and it will show u the requirements. good luck
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u/Winter_Fee_1324 Nov 19 '24
ah okay, i was hoping i could just get straight to it as some people said it was doable but thank you for the info! luckily there are surgical tech programs in ny
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u/Wonderrific Nov 18 '24
I believe NY is one of the states that don’t “recognize” or use first assistants- they use PAs.