Jobs › City of Hope Chicago

Certified Surgical First Assistant

City of Hope Chicago · Zion, IL · Full time

Posted Feb 6, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at City of Hope Chicago

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you saw a break in sterile technique. What did you do?

What they are checking: Willingness to speak up about sterility even when it is awkward or slows the case.

Tell me about a time something went wrong in the OR and how the team handled it.

What they are checking: Calm teamwork during a surgical emergency and lessons learned afterward.

What certification do you hold as a first assistant, and how do you keep it current?

What they are checking: Meeting credential requirements and commitment to ongoing learning in the specialty.

What would you do

A case runs much longer than planned and the team is tired. How do you stay focused?

What they are checking: Stamina and focus during long, complex cancer surgeries.

About the work

Walk me through how you position a patient for a long abdominal cancer surgery to prevent nerve injury and pressure sores.

What they are checking: Careful positioning knowledge that prevents injuries during long oncology procedures.

What do you do to prepare and count instruments before and after a case?

What they are checking: Discipline with counts and setup that prevents retained items and delays.

How do you provide exposure and retraction for a surgeon you have never worked with before?

What they are checking: Adaptability and anticipation in the operating field with different surgeons.

The surgeon asks you to close a wound. What closure techniques are you comfortable with?

What they are checking: Real hands-on skill in suturing and closure within their scope of practice.

How do you help control bleeding during a procedure?

What they are checking: Skill with hemostasis tools and techniques that keep the field clear and the patient safe.

Which surgical specialties and robotic or laparoscopic systems have you assisted with?

What they are checking: Range of case experience relevant to a cancer hospital's surgical mix.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at City of Hope Chicago from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by City of Hope Chicago.

Certified Surgical First Assistant About City of Hope , City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S., and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked top 5 in the nation for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. Certified First Assist (CFA) responsibilities include, but are not limited to assisting with cleaning, shaving, and positioning patient on operating room table. The Certified First Assist prepares surgical instruments before and after procedure, keeping count of surgical instruments with the Registered Nurse (Circulator). They will monitor all members of the surgical team in order to maintain a sterile field during each procedure. The CFA passes instruments and retracts tissues to help visualize the area of the patient where surgeons and surgical assistants are working. Operates suction machines, diagnostic equipment, and learns operation of new instrumentation dependent upon specialty. The CFA assists with procedures by providing appropriate methods of wound exposure/closure, functions as a surgical technologist when needed or when the needs supersede the surgical assist needs and is available to work when and as needed to provide adequate coverage for the patient care needs of the surgical services department. The successful candidate: Assists with procedures by functioning under the direct supervision and direction of the operating surgeon. • Assists with procedures by providing appropriate method of wound exposure. • Assists with procedures by providing adequate hemostasis. • Protects patient by demonstrating knowledge of safe tissue handling. • Assists with procedures by demonstrating knowledge of suturing techniques. • Assists with procedures by demonstrating knowledge of wound dressing and drains. positioning of patient • draping • tissue handling • wound exposure and closure • homeostasis • knot tying • Assists with duties in the OR as assigned by the Lead RN • Pulls Physician Preference cards according to cases. • Insures availability and sterility of equipment for the cases. • Selects appropriate instrumentation / equipment based on patient age and size. • Assists in patient preparation, positioning and surgical preps according to protocols. • Ensure appropriate documentation present and accurate on patient record per department and hospital policy. • Ability to navigate the clinical information systems as needed to perform job duties. • Adheres to hospital and departmental policy for reporting and handling malfunctioning equipment. • Monitoring supplies to ensure availability of appropriate supplies for patient care and departmental operations. • Maintains a clean and orderly environment in the perioperative department including breakroom and locker rooms. • Recognizes department problems and uses critical thinking skills to take appropriate actions. • Prioritizes patient care and organizes activities in a logical sequence. • Communicates effectively with the perioperative team while dealing with frequent interruptions in a high stress setting. • Maintains positive interdepartmental relationships while communicating and coordinating patient care activities. • Serves as a change agent by cooperatively adopting new processes determined through quality improvement initiatives. Position Qualifications: Minimum Education: 2-year associate degree or experience as an OR Tech required Req. Certification/Licensure: Illinois licensure as a Registered Surgical Assistant and Surgical Technologist CPR card required City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer. To learn more about our comprehensive benefits, click here: Benefits Information City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.

Apply at City of Hope Chicago