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+29% vs. median posted rate for healthcare roles in Burlington, Wisconsin ($27.55/hr, n=30)
2 days median time this employer’s postings stay open (last 90 days)
$15.00/hr · p10p90 · $45.00/hr
this role: $35.50/hrmedian $27.55/hr
Shaded band: the middle 50% of 30 posted healthcare roles in Burlington, Wisconsin rates. This role sits in the 75th percentile.
About the role
Pay for this role is about 29% above the Burlington, Wisconsin median for similar positions.
The Surgical Assistant participates in preparatory surgical steps, including patient positioning, draping, and gathering necessary supplies. They also assist the surgeon during procedures by maintaining a sterile field, handling instruments, and performing validated surgical activities like wound closure.
Department
70100
AMC
Burlington -
Surgery
Center
Status:
Full time
Benefits
Eligible:
Yes
Hours
Per
Week: 40
Schedule
Details/Additional
Information: Full-time, dayshift from 0645-1515 and will work between all three sites (Lakeland Hospital, Southern Lakes Surgery Center, and Aurora Medical Center Burlington. On call will be out of the Lakeland Hospital location and must arrive within 30-minutes.
Pay
Range: $35.50 - $53.25
Major
Responsibilities: Participates in the preparatory steps of surgery; assists operating team in gathering supplies, opening room for cases, assists in lifting, transferring, positioning, preparing and draping the patient. Anticipates and responds to the needs of the Surgeon, by ensuring all required supplies are available for procedures prior to incision, recognizing individual preferences. Provides for a clean, safe and efficient area conducive to optimal patient care. Utilizes aseptic surgical techniques in the preparation of materials, supplies and equipment for surgical procedures (e.g., assistance with gowning and gloving; preparation and draping of the surgical area; provision of a sterile field, instruments, suture and related materials; anticipation of the Surgeons' needs; holding of retractors, observing and reporting possible breaks in aseptic technique; and assisting in maintaining a sterile, dry, unobstructed field). Ensures the environmental disinfection, safety and efficiency of the operating room. This includes setting up the room for each case including moving equipment (e.g., tables, cameras, microscopes, fracture table, and instrument pans), operating the various types of equipment they have been trained to use during operating room procedures, and returning equipment post procedure. Checks the working condition of equipment and facilitates having damaged items sent out for repair. Notifies appropriate people of equipment and supply problems. Acts as a resource and assists in the training of Surgical Technologists and new Surgical Assistants. Participates in department and facility work teams and assists with special projects as needed. May perform specific surgical activities that are validated competencies under the direct supervision of the surgeon (i.e. the surgeon is in the same room working on the same patient). A record of the validated competencies must be recorded in the caregiver's education file. May perform specific validated competencies and surgical activities such as wound closure of deep capsules, muscle, subcutaneous tissue and skin under general supervision of the surgeon (i.e. validated competencies may be delegated by the surgeon who is immediately available and able to furnish immediate assistance and direction but not necessarily present in the room when the activity is performed). May perform specific validated competencies and surgical activities such as position and prep of patient on the surgical table (excluding complex fracture table, spinal frame, or head stabilizers/pins/tongs), application of the tourniquet as indicated in preparation of a procedure, securing of drains, application of the dressing, cast or immobilizer at the end of a case and safe transfer from the surgical table to transport cart/bed without supervision of the surgeon (i.e. validated competencies may be delegated by the surgeon and be performed without supervision of the surgeon and with the surgeon not present). Provides competency confirmed by a sponsoring surgeon and submits documentation to the medical executive committee a minimum of every two years for approval and/or renewal. Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.
About Advocate Health Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health.
Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise.
It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs.
Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs.
Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.
Requirements
Candidates must have completed an accredited surgical technology program and possess at least three years of relevant experience. A Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required, with additional surgical assistant certifications required by late 2026.
professional certificate
Interpersonal skills
Customer service
Computer proficiency
Aseptic technique
Physiology knowledge
Patient positioning
Anatomy knowledge
Equipment sterilization
Sterile field maintenance
Basic life support
Surgical instrumentation
Surgical assistance
Surgical technology
Wound closure
Benefits
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Retirement plans
Paid time off
Short-term disability
Long-term disability
Life insurance
Paid parental leave
Flexible spending accounts
Educational assistance
Adoption assistance
Employer match
Posting details
Employment type
Full Time
Work arrangement
On Site
Experience
2-5 yrs
Salary
$36 - $53/hr
Location
Burlington, Wisconsin
Posted
Aug 10, 2026
Application
Employer website
Licensure,
Registration, and/or
Certification
Required: Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA). Teammates hired into a Surgical First Assistant role after December 31, 2026, will be required to obtain and maintain certification by one of the three certification bodies listed below: Surgical First Assist (CSFA) certification issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Surgical Assistant Certified (SA-C) certification issued by the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) certification issued by the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA).
Education
Required: Advanced training beyond High School that includes the completion of an accredited or approved program in Surgical Technology.
Experience
Required: Typically requires 3 years of experience in a Surgical Technologist or Surgical Assistant position.
Knowledge,
Skills &
Abilities
Required: Advanced knowledge and skill in major operative surgical specialties performed. Advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and potential complications for procedures performed. Demonstrated ability to remove skin staples and wound drains. Advanced knowledge and skill of aseptic surgical techniques used in the preparation of materials, supplies and equipment for various surgical procedures and suturing. Demonstrated ability to anticipate and recognize Physician's needs and changes that requires unplanned or unanticipated interventions, and responds appropriately. Remain current with ongoing computer based learning modules as assigned. Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. Basic computer proficiency.
Certification
Addendum: Team members will maintain annual educational requirements for hospital based certifications (e.g. DNV, CARF or others).
Physical
Requirements and
Working
Conditions: Must be able to withstand a very stressful and fast-paced environment.
Must be able to: lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist. lift up to 20 lbs. over the head. carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.
Must be able to: push/pull with 30 lbs. of force. perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present. Required to use foot pedals on carts or machines.
Exposed to the following hazards on a continuous basis: mechanical, electrical, chemical, radiation, blood and body fluids. Must have functional sight and hearing. Required to wear masks, gloves, goggles, and gowns. Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, reach above shoulders and twist frequently during work shift. Must be able to operate all equipment essential to performing the duties of the job. DISCLAIMER All responsibilities and requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only responsibilities to be performed by an employee occupying this job or position. Employees must follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by their leaders.
Our
Commitment to
You:
Advocate
Health offers a comprehensive suite of
Total
Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job Incentive pay for select positions Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more Paid Time Off programs Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
Educational
Assistance
Program
Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview.
Wisconsin surgical assistant opportunities typically favor candidates who can support operating-room teams with accredited surgical technology training, at least three years of relevant experience, and current BLS certification; additional surgical assistant certifications are required by late 2026. Roles may include health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, with listed pay of $35.50–$53.25 per hour. Review certification timelines carefully; the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here come from the original job description, saving research time.
