The Surgical First Assistant Bridge Program prepares Certified Surgical Technologists (CSTs) to function as Surgical First Assistants (SFAs) after completing approximately three months of classroom and lab education and six months of clinical time. Classroom time is spent learning surgical techniques, relative anatomy, and expectations of the surgical assistant role. Clinicals are conducted in the various surgical suites of Mayo Clinic Hospital — Rochester to obtain the necessary technical skills vital to this role.

Program highlights

• Program is designed to be the bridge for Certified Surgical Technologists (CSTs) to become Certified Surgical First Assistants (SFAs).
• Curriculum includes three months of classroom and lab education, and six months of clinical experience, which allows you to start your career more quickly.
• Training experiences at one of the largest surgical suites with one of the most advanced medical centers in the nation.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates receive a certificate of completion from Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. The program requires a grade of 70 percent or greater to pass a course. All courses and clinical work must be completed consecutively; deviation from scheduled coursework is not permitted.

Accreditation information

The CST to SFA Bridge Program at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences has a site visit scheduled for pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org). This step in the process is neither a status of accreditation nor a guarantee that accreditation will be granted.