Surgical technicians, or surgical technologists, assist surgeons in the operating room (OR) during surgery. Surgical techs must be calm and quick. Their tasks include preparing and sterilizing the operating room prior to surgery, transporting patients to and from the OR, passing instruments to the surgeon, and suturing incisions. The skills of the surgical tech can make the difference between life and death.
Surgical Technician Schools in North America
Request information from any of the schools offering surgical technician programs below, organized by location...
Surgical Technician Schools Organized by State (US):
According to the Association of Surgical Technologists and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers look for surgical techs who have passed a national certification exam and have earned the Certified Surgical Technician (CST) designation or the Tech in Surgery-Certified, TS-C (NCCT) designation. Advanced certification is available in a number of specialties. All certifications require continuing education.
Community colleges, vocational schools, and universities offer surgical tech diplomas, certificate, and degree programs, which usually take nine to twenty-four months to complete. Many offer online and part-time options.
Employers prefer to hire surgical techs who have completed programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accredited surgical assistant programs combine academic and hands-on training. Courses include anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and sterilization techniques. Hands-on learning in a surgical technician school often includes internships and supervised clinical training.
Salaries for surgical techs range from $24,000 to $46,000 a year for full-time work. As with most professions, salaries vary by location, type and size of employer, and employee education and experience.
The job outlook for surgical techs is very good. Job prospects will be best for surgical techs who are certified.
