Surgical Technician Education

Considering the duties and responsibilities a surgical technician performs on a daily basis, there’s no doubt that one must have the technical knowledge, proficiency, and iron stomach to be successful in this field. The surgical technician career is such a rewarding one that it can truly offer job stability and lucrative pay just like any other healthcare career, and it is not surprising why so many are trying to venture this realm. If you wish to get a good start in this career, the first thing in your priority list should be to get quality surgical technician education and training. This will help you build a solid foundation for becoming a full-pledged surgical technician.

Surgical technicians are also known in the healthcare field as operating room technicians or scrubs, and are a very important member of the operating room team. They primarily provide assistance in a wide range of surgical procedures and they work side by side with surgeons, registered nurses, and anesthesiologists. Surgical techs are responsible for the sterilization and preparation of surgical tools, equipment and supplies, and make sure that the operating room is safe for conducting surgeries. They also provide healthcare to patients before, during and after surgical procedures. They may check a patient’s vital signs, apply sterile drapes, transfer them to the recovery room, change dressings, etc.

Before one can be able to proceed with surgical technician education, you must already have finished high school and secured a diploma or an equivalent GED. Having previously taken up subjects such as science, mathematics and health will prove to be very helpful along the way. Surgical technician education can be attained by attending surgical technology programs which are offered by a number of vocation/technical institutions, community colleges, and select universities. Different institutions may also have other admission requirements, and it is recommended to get in touch with them regarding this matter. Surgical technician programs can last anywhere from 10 to 22 months, culminating to a certificate, diploma or associate’s degree.

It is highly recommended that you look for schools that offer training programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This is your assurance that you are getting quality surgical technician education and will also help in the future once you apply for certification as a surgical technician. Accredited surgical technology programs are comprised of both academic instruction and supervised clinical training. You can expect to take up subjects such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, sterilization methods, pharmacology, microbiology, professional ethics, surgical patient care, and operative procedures.

Once you complete your surgical technician education and training, the next step will be to apply for certification. Certification of surgical technologists is handled exclusively by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Only those who have been certified by the NBSTSA will be authorized to use the title Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). Acquiring certification is very important since it is an excellent proof that you have the technical proficiency and competency to perform as a surgical technician and will also help broaden your employment opportunities as well.