Have you been searching for a surgical assistant program?
The Royal Academy of Surgical Assisting has you covered.
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(888) 958-0149
Office Location
6105 S Main Street, Suite 200,
Aurora, CO 80016
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Think back…
Think back to your first year as a surgical technician. You were probably excited to get your start in the healthcare industry and work alongside experienced medical professionals. Recently, though, perhaps you’ve felt stuck in your position.
Now is the time to advance your career with the Royal Academy of Surgical Assisting. RASA represents a convenient, affordable way for operating room professionals to become surgical assistants. So what exactly sets RASA’s program apart from others in the industry?
Here are six reasons why more students are choosing RASA:
Flexibility
With RASA, you benefit from a self-paced, distance learning program. There is no required travel and, unlike other programs, we do not charge additional fees for moving through the deadlines at a quicker pace.
Extensive learning
Once you have completed all online coursework and got checked off on your pre-clinical skills, you will be approved to start your clinical internship. Students must complete 140 classes under the direct supervision of a board-certified surgeon and submit procedure logs and evaluations.
Few prerequisites
Our surgical assisting program is open to qualified allied healthcare professionals. While there are some eligibility requirements to meet, most of our students are graduates of a Surgical Technology program and have two letters of recommendation verifying a working knowledge of operating room fundamentals.
Low tuition costs
Students shouldn’t have to take on a significant amount of debt just to become a surgical assistant. So how does RASA maintain such low tuition costs? Well, for one thing, we automate the elements that are convenient to both the student and RASA. Plus, we save our staff’s time for any individual conversations and consultations you may need.
Wound closure unit
This is one of the best parts of the RASA program. When you sign up, we send you a Wound Closure Training System that consists of online videos and a travel-sized kit that will help you learn step-by-step, basic to advanced suture and tying techniques.
National Certification
Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to sit for the SA-C national certification through the American Board of Surgical Assistants. Simply put, RASA helps pave the way for your future success in the medical industry.
Our Program
Distance Learning
No Travel
State of the Art Program
Advice When You Need it
Invest in Our Surgical Assistant Program… Invest in Yourself.
Surgical Assisting Salary Opportunities
Now that you know some of RASA’s differentiating factors, let’s get into the salary opportunities that come with being a surgical assistant. According to a study we conducted, experienced SAs make $27,000 more annually than new STs. On top of that, a new SA graduate would earn nearly $15,000 more annually compared to a new ST graduate.
The RASA Program Pays for Itself
There’s no question that enrolling in our program is a smart investment. RASA’s program could pay for itself in less than three months based on your salary increase alone, especially, if you are a new surgical technician and you decided to continue your education with RASA.
Other Financial Benefits
Those aren’t the only financial benefits of surgical assisting, though. We found that there is approximately a $13/hour increase from a new ST to an experienced SA. Additionally, a $7/hour increase from a new ST graduate to a new SA graduate. The opportunity for higher earnings increases substantially when surgical assistants end up working for a private surgeon or billing independently.
Are you ready to go from passing instruments to using them?
Surgical Technologist vs. Surgical Assistant
Surgical Technologist
Let’s start with the day in the life of a surgical technologist, seeing that is where most surgical assistants start their career.
A surgical technologist is responsible for setting up the surgical tables and arranging the instruments in a safe and efficient manner to keep the surgery progressing at the surgeon’s pace. They pass the instruments and supplies to the surgeon and first assistant, while maintaining the sterile surgical field. Surgical technologists may also be involved in sterilizing instruments and transporting patients.
Surgical Assistant
After advanced training, surgical technologists may move into the surgical assisting role. As a recognized profession by the American College of Surgeons (AMC), surgical assistants are non-MD “surgeon assistants.” According to the AMC, “The first assistant in a surgical operation should be a trained individual who is able to participate in and actively assist the surgeon in completing the operation safely and expeditiously by helping to provide exposure, maintain hemostasis, and serve other technical functions.” Many surgical assistants also provide the closure of the surgical site, so wound closure techniques must be mastered. The surgical assistant must actively participate in assisting the surgeon throughout the surgery. They must also know advanced anatomy and pathophysiology, correct instrument and equipment use and understand potential complications and how to appropriately manage them.
By any other name…
There are many interchangeable titles for this role – first assistant, surgical assistant, surgeon assistant, but their main function is to assist the surgeon during the surgery and be their second pair of hands. Such individuals perform their duties under the supervision of the surgeon.
Our Graduates’ Stories
Check out our student and graduate spotlights for detailed insights about how the RASA program can make the difference in your career.
Click on the pictures or graduates’ names to learn more.
Codi
RASA Graduate
Micaela
RASA Graduate
Rudi
RASA Student
Become a Surgical Assistant and Change Your Life
Picture the day when you no longer live paycheck to paycheck. Imagine being your own boss and setting your own schedule. See yourself as someone who not only loves what they do, but does truly impactful work.
Distance Learning Education
Self-Paced Schedules
SA-C National Certification
Imagine the Possibilities
These are all possibilities when you become a surgical assistant with RASA. At RASA, the student is our number one priority. It won’t take long for you to realize we’re just as passionate about surgical assistant training as you are about taking the next step in your medical career.
The RASA team is ready to help you find your passion.
