You don't have to be a superhero to save lives. You could work in health care instead. If you want to be on the front lines of curing disease and healing injuries, consider a career as a surgical technician. What does a surgical tech do exactly? They often have the following job duties:
- Preparing operating rooms and sterilizing surgical equipment.
- Readying patients for surgery by washing and disinfecting incision sites.
- Assisting surgeons during operations by handing over instruments and other supplies.
- Accounting for surgical supplies, such as sponges and instruments, during a procedure.
- Maintaining a sterile operating room.
How to Become a Surgical Technologist
Surgical technicians can go by different names. They may be called surgical technologists or operating room technicians. However, no matter what they are called, they all follow roughly the same path to their job:
- Earn a high school diploma or GED.
- Understand state licensure requirements. Some states have surgical technician certification or education requirements. Check with your state's licensing board to see if and how this occupation is regulated in your state. Surgical tech schools may be able to help you find this information as well.
- Complete a surgical technician program. You'll need a career diploma, certificate or associate degree for most surgical technologist jobs. If your state regulates surgical technicians, be sure your program meets their requirements.
- Earn a surgical technician certification. Earning a professional credential is a good way to show employers you know how to do the job right.
Part of learning how to become a surgical technologist is understanding the following subjects, all of which are typically covered by surgical tech schools:
- Physiology
- Anatomy
- Medical terminology
- Instrument sterilization techniques
How Long Does it Take to Become a Surgical Technician
How long does it take to become a surgical technician? It depends on the type of program you choose. There are several ways you can meet surgical technician education requirements. The option that is right for you will depend on your long-term career goals and your state's requirements:
- Diploma/Certificate: Diplomas and certificates are different names for essentially the same level of education. Both can be earned in about a year and teach all the information and skills a surgical technician must know. A diploma or certificate may be best for those who want to enter the workforce quickly and don't expect to continue their education later.
- Associate Degree: An associate degree in surgical technology can be completed in as little as 18 months at schools offering accelerated programs. An associate degree may include some general education classes and provide additional opportunities for hands-on instruction. Some credits from an associate degree may be transferred toward a bachelor's degree, making this level of education a good choice for anyone who may want to eventually go back to school.
Surgical Tech Schools
There are nearly 400 surgical technology programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. These are offered by community colleges, technical schools and even some hospitals. While there are surgical tech programs online, they usually are hybrid programs that have some on-campus requirements.
A few fully online programs are open to those who already have hands-on experience in the field or who previously graduated from an unaccredited program and need to attend an accredited school to be eligible for a surgical technician certification. These programs may be labeled as an accelerated alternate delivery pathway.
Surgical Technician Certification and Licensure
More than a dozen states regulate surgical technologists in some way although only three -- Colorado, North Dakota and Washington -- require technicians to register prior to beginning work. However, that might change. The Association of Surgical Technologists has been encouraging state legislators to pass laws requiring technicians graduate from an accredited program and become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).
The CST is administered by The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. It is one of two main surgical tech certifications available. The other one is offered by the National Center for Competency Testing and results in the Tech in Surgery - Certified designation, also known as TS-C (NCCT). Both certification programs require applicants pay a fee and pass an exam, but they have different education requirements. The CST is generally only available to those who have graduated from an accredited surgical technician program while the TS-C offers certification options for students, military members and those with previous work experience.
Career Advancement for Surgical Technologists
Surgical technicians can advance their careers in several ways. With experience or additional education, they may become surgical first assistants. These workers play a greater role in operations.
Other technicians may go to become nurses or other health care professionals. Some may find work at surgical tech schools as instructors.
25 Best Surgical Technician Programs for 2020
Surgical technology programs are offered at many schools nationwide, but some institutions stand out from the rest. These colleges offer affordable tuition and demonstrate student success through strong graduation and employment rates. We combed through data from the U.S. Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics to find the best of the best, and we think the following schools are the top choices in the field of surgical technology.
As a part of the Technical College System of Georgia, Ogeechee Technical College offers a comprehensive selection of programs that results in degrees, diplomas and certificates in academic and technical fields. The school's history dates back to 1986, and the 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio translates to the personalized instruction that's one hallmark of the education offered here.
Surgical technology programs at OTC: While OTC has long had a surgical technology diploma program, the college recently phased that out and is launching an associate degree program in 2020. The two-year degree reflects the changing education needs in the field and can qualify graduates to sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist exam. The surgical technology program at OTC also offers opportunities to earn a healthcare assistant certificate or a central sterile processing technician certificate for those aiming for specialized support roles.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College has been educating students in the northwest section of the state for more than a decade. The school was established in 2009 with the merger of Coosa Valley Technical College and Northwestern Technical College. GNTC maintains six campus locations but also has nearly 40 fully online degree, diploma and certificate programs for distance learners.
Surgical technology programs at GNTC: Students can earn either a surgical technology diploma or a surgical technology associate degree at GNTC. Both programs, available on the school's Walker County campus, were designed to prepare students for entry-level jobs as surgical technologists. The diploma program requires 57 credits while the associate degree curriculum involves 70 credits. Graduates may be eligible to sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist exam.
Although only founded in 2014, Coastal Pines Technical College was created with the merger of schools whose histories date back to 1963. The college, part of the Technical College System of Georgia, offers classes at seven different locations. Distance learners can choose from a handful of fully online programs. Coastal Pines Technical College has a reputation of providing quality education based on the needs of area employers.
Surgical technology programs at CPTC: Offered on the Waycross campus, CPTC's surgical technology degree is one of the college's low-cost tuition programs. Students can complete their degree at a reduced rate, and scholarships and grants are also available to qualified applicants. General education core classes can be taken on the nights and weekends for added flexibility.
Students at Southern Crescent Technical College can choose from nearly 200 degree, diploma and certificate programs. These are offered on two campuses and three other locations. Each year, approximately 6,500 students enroll in credit programs at Southern Crescent while another 3,500 people take continuing education, adult education or other non-credit courses.
Surgical technology programs at SCTC: Southern Crescent offers both a surgical technology diploma and a surgical technology degree program. The degree plan begins each spring and takes six terms to complete, while the diploma option takes five terms to complete. Both programs have a competitive admissions process and are offered only on the school's Griffin campus. The curriculum includes classroom and clinical instruction, and graduates should be prepared to fill entry-level positions in the field.
As a part of the Kentucky Community & Technical College System, Madisonville Community College has some of the lowest tuition rates in the state. The school notes its annual cost is about half that charged by universities. MCC offers students the choice to earn degrees, diplomas and certificates on three campus locations.
Surgical technology programs at MCC: The surgical technology program at Madison Community College includes two options: a surgical technologist diploma and a surgical technologist associate degree. The program, which uses a selective admissions process to admit students, can be completed in as little as two semesters after prerequisites are done. Graduates are required to take the national certifying exam for surgical technologists. For 2018-19, MCC reported that their program had a 93 percent retention rate and an 85 percent pass rate on the certifying exam.
Amarillo College says there is no excuse not to provide students with an exemplary learning experience. In fact, No Excuses 2020 is the name of the school's current strategic plan. Amarillo College seeks to create an atmosphere of success as its develops educational programs related to the region's in-demand jobs. The school was created as part of the state's first junior college district in 1929.
Surgical technology programs at AC: At Amarillo College, students can earn either an Associate of Applied Science in surgical technology or a certificate in surgical technology. The certificate requires 36 semester hours while the associate degree can be completed in 60 semester hours. Both include classroom and clinical instruction and qualify students to sit for the examination to become Certified Surgical Technologists.
Founded in 1961, Albany Technical College is known as an affordable institution where students can earn degrees, diplomas and certificates. The school became part of the Technical College System of Georgia in 1988. Graduates of ATC receive outplacement services, and the school says 98 percent of its graduates are employed while 93 percent are employed in jobs associated with their field of study.
Surgical technology programs at ATC: While the surgical technology program at Albany Technical College has long offered a diploma, that level of education is being phased out at the school. Going forward, students at ATC can instead earn an associate degree in surgical technology. The new curriculum requires the completion of 120 surgical cases, and graduates are eligible to sit for the exam to become Certified Surgical Technologists.
More commonly called Calhoun Community College, John C. Calhoun State Community College has been serving Alabama students since 1947. The institution is the largest two-year school within the Alabama Community College System and enrolls nearly 10,000 students in its online and on-campus programs.
Surgical technology programs at Calhoun: The Calhoun surgical technology program includes both certificate and degree options. The certificate requires four semesters of study and includes classroom, lab and clinical experiences. To earn an associate degree, students must complete the certificate curriculum plus 18 credit hours of general education classes. Both programs are designed to prepare students for entry-level jobs and qualify them to sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist exam. In 2019, graduates had a 100 percent pass rate on the exam.
Serving Coastal Georgia, Savannah Technical College enrolls more than 4,500 credit students each semester. The school has nearly 150 educational options that result in associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Savannah Technical College maintains four campuses and one education center. It is part of the Technical College System of Georgia.
Surgical technology programs at Savannah Tech: The school's surgical technology associate degree plan is available on the college's Savannah campus. The program starts each fall, and students are accepted through a competitive admissions process. Graduates are required to take the national certification exam for Certified Surgical Technologists; the class of 2018 had a 92 percent pass rate. Savannah Tech also offers a central sterile process technician certificate for those who want to work in this specialized role.
As an Achieving the Dream Leader College, Delta College is committed to making higher education accessible and attainable for all students. The college enrolls more than 10,500 credit-seeking students and has more than 140 degree and certificate programs. Tuition at Delta College is less than half that charged at Michigan universities, and the school notes many of its graduates have no student debt.
Surgical technology programs at Delta: Delta offers four different programs for those interested in surgical technology. The accredited Associate of Applied Science in surgical technology plan provides a comprehensive education in the field. There is also an option to earn a surgical technology associate degree with a dual major in general management. Two certificate programs are also offered at Delta: a surgical first assistant certificate and a sterile processing technician certificate.
Financial Aid for Surgical Technology Programs
Source: Scholarship directory data is copyrighted material which is reproduced on this website by permission of CollegeXpress, a division of Carnegie Dartlet. Copyright © 2024 by CollegeXpress.Skills and Qualities for Surgical Technologists
Surgical techs need to have certain skills and abilities to be successful in their work. These include the following:
- Management of Material Resources: It's usually up to a surgical technologist to keep track of instruments and supplies during operations, a skill known as the management of material resources.
- Active Listening: Technologists must be attentive so they correctly follow instructions before, during and after an operation.
- Coordination: This skill is useful for technologists to quickly hand instruments to a surgeon.
- Manual Dexterity: Along with coordination, manual dexterity helps surgical techs grasp, handle and pass instruments and other supplies.
- Speech Recognition: To be successful, a technologist needs to understand what a surgeon is saying during a procedure.
Surgical Technologist Salary and Career Outlook
How much does a surgical technician make? The answer may depend on where they work, how much experience they have and whether they are certified. However, the numbers below offer a look at the average surgical technician salary. They also give a glimpse of expected job growth for this career nationwide. Like income, your career outlook can depend on factors such as experience, education and geographic location.
Career | Total Employment | Average Salary | Projected Job Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgical Technologists | 109,000 | $50,110 | 8.7% |
Professional Resources for Surgical Technologists
If you plan to become a surgical technologist, you'll want to know about the following organizations.
- Association of Surgical Technologists - Established in 1969, AST is the oldest professional organization for surgical technologists and also one of the most widely recognized. It represents more than 80,000 technologists and advocates on behalf of the profession in all 50 states.
- The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting - Known as the NBSTSA, this organization was established in 1974 and administers the Certified Surgical Technologist credential.
- Foundation for Surgical Technology - The Foundation for Surgical Technology offers scholarships to students. Since its inception in 1999, more than $310,000 in financial assistance has been awarded.