Alyssa Ellis, known as @beyondassisting on Instagram, transforms surgical technology education by sharing honest insights about the blood, sweat, and purpose behind the field that she once feared but now champions as both a certified surgical technologist and first assist.
• Started as a surgical tech after accompanying friends to school who both quit within two weeks
• Maintains both surgical tech and first assist certifications to preserve her foundational skills
• Explains the difference between surgical technologists (instrument passers) and first assists who help retract, suture, and cut
• Identifies confidence as the biggest challenge for new techs, emphasizing the importance of supportive preceptors
• Describes the physical demands of holding retractors and standing for 12-hour shifts
• Recommends consistent instrument placement and thorough note-taking when preparing for complex cases
• Emphasizes emotional intelligence and "reading the room" when working with surgeons under stress
• Advises new techs to focus on watching the procedure rather than staring at their Mayo stand
• Started her social media platform to fill her passion for teaching that wasn't fully satisfied in her first assist role
• Teaches the importance of communicating directly with surgeons rather than ignoring requests for unavailable items
Download Alyssa's app at beyondassistingmvtso.com and use code CST student for 30% off. Follow her on Instagram @beyondassisting.
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