If you are looking for a great career that pays well you need to think about becoming a surgical technician. The demand for surgical technicians is expected to increase by at least 30% through the year 2012. This increased demand can be attributed to the baby boomer generation that is getting older. As this generation ages, there will be an increased need for surgery.
Another factor that contributes to the growing need for surgical technicians is the advancement of technology that involves the use of fiber optics and lasers. As surgery becomes less invasive and safer there will be more surgeries performed every year which opens up plenty of opportunities for surgical technicians.
But what about the salary for a surgical tech? How well does this job pay?
First of all, let’s look at the working conditions and duties of a surgical technician. The operating room is where the surgical technician will spend a lot of time. This room is always temperature controlled, brightly lit and relatively quiet. The surgical tech will be required to stand for long periods of time, and they can be exposed to unpleasant sights, sounds and odors during a surgery.
The duties of a surgical technician may vary from facility to facility. Generally, the tech is responsible for setting up the surgical suite prior to surgery. All instruments and equipment must be in place and accounted for. During the surgery the technician will hand the instruments to the surgeon or assistant and keep a close eye on the sterile field. Once the surgery is over the technician will take a count of all supplies and sponges to ensure that everything is accounted for. The tech will then remove the used equipment and set up the room for the next surgery. These are just the basic duties of a surgical technician.
The role of surgical technician has been around since the first World War. However, it wasn’t until 1970 that a surgical technician had the opportunity to earn a certification. Today most surgical technicians are certified but there are still a small percentage that do not have a certification.
To become a certified surgical technician you must attend an accredited surgical technologist program. The classes may be completed in as little as nine months to give you a diploma or certificate, or you can choose to go a full two years to earn an associate degree. Most employers prefer an associate degree in surgical technology. Once you complete your courses you will be eligible to sit for the certification exam.
The pay scale for a surgical technician depends on many factors. Some of these factors will include the state that you work in, your certification status, the type of facility that you choose to work in along with the number of years experience you have. In general, the pay rates for surgical technicians is on the average of $44,000 annually.
The wage difference between a certified and non-certified surgical technician is very significant. Some facilities will pay as much as five dollars more on the hour for a certification. This can add up to $10,000 more per year. However, the average Certified Surgical Technician earns $1-$1.99 more per hour than the uncertified technician.
Your surgical tech salary will be determined by the facility in which you choose to work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, doctor’s offices, ambulatory health care services and agencies pay the best. Hospitals, which utilize the highest amount of surgical technicians, are on the lower end of the pay scale.
Your location will determine your surgical technologist wages. The state of Hawaii has the highest average salary at $21.82 per hour. Other states that pay on the average of $20.00 per hours are Massachusetts, Connecticut, Alaska and California. Of course, you must take into account the increased cost of living for these areas of the country.
A Certified Surgical Technician has plenty of opportunities for advancement. You can become a Certified Surgical Technician First Assistant which will command a higher salary. You can choose to specialize in a specific area of interest such as cardiac or orthopedic. It is also possible to sign up with an agency and travel across the country working as a Certified Surgical Technician.
If you are looking for a great job that will be in high demand for years to come you need to consider becoming a Certified Surgical Technician. Even the average surgical assistant salary will provide a good income for yourself and your entire family.
