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Surgical Tech Career Information

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surgical techSurgeons get a lot of the credit when it comes to performing successful surgeries. But it takes more than just one person to ensure that a patient leaves the operating room with a positive outcome; it takes a whole team of dedicated professionals. By asking, "What is a surgical tech?" you're inquiring about one of the most crucial roles in all of healthcare.



What is a Surgical Tech?

Surgical techs, formally known as "surgical technologists," work where the critical action is. In fact, their impact cannot be underestimated. So, what is a surgical technologist?

A surgical technologist is:


What Does a Surgical Tech Do?

You might be wondering, "What is a surgical technician involved in?"

Depending on their experience and specific roles, surgical technicians (i.e., surgical technologists) perform essential duties before, during, and after surgical procedures. No matter what, they always help to anticipate the needs of their supervising surgeon and provide quality patient care with a special focus on safety and efficiency.

So, what does a surgical tech do?

Generally speaking, a surgical technologist can perform three main roles:

Each role corresponds with a different set of duties, which sometimes overlap.


What Does a Scrub Tech Do?

A scrub surgical technologist, also known as a "scrub tech" or "surgical technologist in the scrub role" (STSR), carries out responsibilities that can include:

Before Surgery

During Surgery

After Surgery


What Does a Circulating Surgical Technologist Do?

A circulating surgical technologist is a non-sterile member of the surgical team, has more interaction with patients, and performs duties such as:

Before Surgery

During Surgery

After Surgery


What Does a Second Assisting Surgical Technologist Do?

A second assisting surgical technologist assists the surgeon and surgical first assistant during an operation. A surgical tech in this role often performs some of the same duties as a scrub surgical technologist but also carries out tasks that can include:


What is the Difference Between a Surgical Technologist and a Surgical Assistant?

The main difference between a surgical technologist and a surgical assistant is that a surgical assistant must have more advanced, specialized training. Surgical assistants are more commonly known as "surgical first assistants."

With extra education, some surgical technologists can work their way up to become surgical first assistants.

In addition to having the ability to do anything that a surgical tech can do, a surgical first assistant is trained to perform duties under a surgeon's direction that can include:

Surgical first assistants can come from many backgrounds, not just surgical technology. They are frequently medical or surgical residents, physician's assistants, or nurses.


Where Can a Surgical Technologist Work?

Most surgical technologists work in hospitals. Operating rooms are the most common work environment. However, surgical techs can also be found in delivery rooms.

Other work settings that utilize surgical technologists include:

In some cases, a surgical technologist can be employed directly by a surgeon and be known as a "private scrub."


What are the Benefits of Being a Surgical Technologist?

Many surgical technologists wouldn't want to do anything else. Here are a few of the most notable reasons why becoming a surgical technologist could be an excellent choice for you:


What is the Typical Salary of Surgical Technologist Jobs?

The typical salary of surgical technologist jobs can vary significantly depending on geographic location, work setting, experience, role on the surgical team, and certification status.

So, how much do surgical techs make?

According to national estimates from May 2012, the typical salary of a surgical technician looked like this: *

In the field of surgical technology, pay also comes in the form of good benefits such as paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance that includes vision and dental coverage, life insurance, a retirement program, and sometimes even tuition reimbursement and child care assistance.

Although most jobs are found in hospitals, other work settings are frequently better-paying for an experienced surgical technologist. Salary often increases for seasoned surgical techs who specialize in a particular surgical area and find employment within physicians' offices or other outpatient care centers.


What are the Surgical Tech Requirements I Need to Know?

Surgical tech requirements can vary a lot depending on where you live and work. Many states have passed (or plan to pass) legislation that requires new surgical technologists to either register with the state or to become professionally certified.

In most states, professional certification is still technically voluntary. However, many hospitals require or prefer surgical technologists who are certified.


Which States Require Registration or Certification?

In order to work as a surgical tech in certain states, you will need to meet their surgical technician requirements. Here is how things break down for new surgical techs in those states:


What Do I Need to Know About Professional Surgical Tech Organizations, Exams, and Designations?

The field of surgical technology is home to a number of organizations and designations, and that's a good thing. It means that the people who work within the field are committed to making sure that surgical technology remains a great career choice.

So as you consider becoming a surgical tech, it's wise to understand the following points about surgical tech certification requirements:

Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)

Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C)


What Personal Requirements for Surgical Technician Jobs Should I Know About?

Surgical technologist requirements don't just come in the form of regulations or acronyms. If you want a successful and rewarding career as a surgical technologist, it's a good idea to understand how to be a surgical tech by demonstrating characteristics like:


How Do I Become a Surgical Technician?

When asking, "How do I become a surgical technician?" it is important to understand that the formal way of referring to this occupation is "surgical technologist." Beyond that small distinction, you should know that, depending on your individual circumstances, you have some options.

At minimum, you will need a high school diploma (or the equivalent) to get started, and it is a good idea to have taken (and done well in) classes such as biology, health, chemistry, and math.

Main Paths to Becoming a Surgical Tech

Options for beginning your pursuit of a career in surgical technology can include:


Can You Tell Me The Most Common Way For Learning How to Become a Surgical Tech?

The best option for most people who want to know how to become a surgical technologist is to get a formal education from a school with a surgical tech program. In addition, you should consider the following points:

Picking a School

After You Graduate


How Long is Surgical Tech School?

A frequent question of those considering a career in this field is "How long is surgical tech school?" The answer is fairly straightforward, but it does depend on the type of academic credential you want to graduate with.

So, how long does it take to become a surgical tech?

Surgical technology programs that award a certificate or diploma are generally designed to take anywhere from nine to 15 months to complete. Programs that offer associate's degrees usually last two years (24 months).


What is the Cost of Surgical Tech School?

The cost of surgical tech school can vary substantially depending on the type of post-secondary institution you attend and whether you wish to graduate with a certificate/diploma or an associate's degree. Total costs (including tuition and other fees) can range from about as little as $3,500 to $25,000 or more, depending on the institution.

Most schools, if you qualify, can assist you in getting financial aid, which can include student loans or grants from the federal government or private lenders. If you are an older worker, you might also be eligible in some states for financial assistance as part of a retraining program.

In addition, the Foundation for Surgical Technology awards scholarships to outstanding students who are members of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) and are pursuing their education in a CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology program.


What Should I Know About Surgical Tech Accreditation?

Many surgical technologist schools can put you on the path to becoming a surgical tech. Accreditation is one way to compare the programs they offer.

The top organizations for surgical technology program accreditation are:


What are the Typical Surgical Technician Education Requirements?

Surgical technician education requirements are designed to provide students with a thorough foundation of skills and knowledge that prepares them for the thrills and challenges of working in an operating room. That's why the surgical technologist education requirements that are most widely supported have the goal of producing graduates with core know-how that includes:


What are the Typical Surgical Tech Course Requirements?

Many surgical technology programs follow the curriculum recommendations of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST). In such programs, the surgical tech education requirements include a combination of classroom learning, hands-on instruction in a skill lab (which is also used for mock surgeries), and supervised clinical experience in a real-life operating room setting.

Surgical tech course requirements typically consist of subjects such as:

Medical Basics

Patient Care and Operating Room Fundamentals

Professional Issues

Because of the rapidly changing nature of healthcare technology, many surgical tech programs include additional courses in subjects like robotics, biomechanics, and computer science.


What is the Surgical Technician Job Outlook?

Employment prospects look good for anyone working as an experienced surgical technician. Job outlook is considered bright since employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow by 19 percent between the period from 2010 to 2020. **

Reasons for the increasing demand for surgical techs include the fact that the aging baby boomer generation will need more surgeries and the fact that a growing number of surgical procedures are now made possible by technological advances in areas such as fiber optics and laser technology.

The fastest job growth in the surgical technology sector is likely to be in physicians' offices and other outpatient care centers. Job prospects are also best for surgical techs who are certified and willing to relocate.


What Tips Can You Provide About Landing My First Surgical Tech Job?

As you prepare to go after your first surgical tech job, it can be beneficial to keep the following tips in mind:


What Options Exist for Advancement as a Surgical Technologist?

Experienced surgical technologists have options when it comes to mobility within their careers. So, how long does it take to be a surgical tech in an advanced role?

It all depends. Some surgical techs are able to start advancing in their careers after as little as two to five years of full-time experience.

With additional education and training, a surgical technologist can become a circulating technologist or a surgical first assistant. Surgical techs can also choose to specialize in a specific area of surgery such as neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, or open-heart surgery.

After they've gained enough experience, some surgical technologists choose to work as traveling surgical techs by signing up with companies that hire scrubs to contract out to hospitals in a variety of locations on a short-term basis (usually three months to a year). In addition to what amounts to a competitive salary for surgical technology jobs, such companies typically pay for your temporary housing and utilities while you fill in for other surgical techs who are on sick leave or maternity leave.

Other options for experienced surgical techs can include:


How Do I Get Started?

Surgical technology is a field that isn't going away anytime soon. In fact, it will only keep growing. The surgical tech job outlook is bright. So, if you want to get started, check out the surgical technologist schools in your area. Then request more information and get ready for a career that lets you make a real difference.


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Featured schools

Brown Mackie College

Surgical technology training from the Brown Mackie College family of schools can help you reach your goal of becoming an important member of a surgical team. You can learn how to provide assistance during general and specialty procedures, plus gain a solid background in medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and more. In addition, you can enjoy Brown Mackie College's innovative approach to learning, which allows you to focus on one course at a time. If you're ready to start on the path to a fulfilling future in the surgical sector, begin by requesting additional information from Brown Mackie College today!

Locations Programs

Sanford-Brown

Do you want to prepare to enter the vital field of surgical technology? If so, Sanford-Brown could be the ideal match for your post-secondary education. You can benefit from in-depth practical and theoretical training covering everything from microbiology to surgical procedures. Sanford-Brown can even give you the opportunity to obtain real-life experience during a supervised clinical externship. Plus, as a Sanford-Brown student, you can have access to plenty of support, including tuition planning assistance and career services. Take a proactive step toward the surgical technology career you desire. Begin by requesting further information from Sanford-Brown today!

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Concorde Career Colleges

Surgical technology is a vital area of the healthcare industry. If you want to prepare for a future in this important field, Concorde Career Colleges can help. The Surgical Technologist program can teach you to handle a wide range of duties, from assisting surgeons to maintaining surgical fields. Plus, you could have the chance to gain real-life experience through an externship. Concorde Career Colleges is also committed to helping you secure a position in the field by offering graduate employment services, including interviewing training and access to job listings. Find out how to get one step closer to your educational and career goals. Begin by requesting more information from Concorde Career Colleges today!

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Main Sources

* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, web site last accessed on May 15, 2013.

** Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, web site last accessed on May 15, 2013.

The Occupational Information Network (O*NET), web site last accessed on September 30, 2011.

Association of Surgical Technologists (AST), web site last accessed on September 30, 2011.

National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), web site last accessed on September 30, 2011.

Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA), web site last accessed on September 30, 2011.

Commission on Accreditation of Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), web site last accessed on September 30, 2011.

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), web site last accessed on September 30, 2011.

National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), web site last accessed on September 30, 2011.