DegreeChoices
Did you know you can work in an operating room with just an associate degree? You may not want to…it involves blood, guts, and life-and-death situations, but if that doesn’t deter you, there are plenty of job opportunities for surgical techs.
When most people think of surgery, they imagine a surgeon carefully performing intricate procedures. But an operation’s success isn’t just up to the surgeon: it takes a team of medical professionals to assure patients are safe and surgeries are successful. Surgical technologists are key members of such teams.
What is a surgical tech?
Surgical techs play a supportive but crucial role alongside surgeons and nurses. As a surgical tech, you will support surgeons during a variety of procedures, preparing sterile rooms and dealing with patients as they enter the operating room. Surgical techs maintain a sterile environment and hand the necessary tools to the surgeon. They also keep patients comfortable and monitor their vital signs. At the end of the surgery, surgical techs transport the patient to the recovery room and document the details of the surgery. What does a surgical tech do on an average workday?
A surgical tech’s daily duties are pretty varied, but they usually involve the following: Help surgeons, assistants, and nurses scrub their hands and arms, put on personal protective equipment before procedures. Arrange instruments, supplies, and equipment based on the surgeon’s instructions. Greet patients, position them on the operating table, cover them with sterile drapes, and observe vital signs. Operate, monitor, and adjust the lights, diagnostic equipment, suction machines, fluids, and sterilizers before, during, and after the procedure. Give sterilized instruments, bandages, and supplies to the surgeon and assistants. Wash and sterilize equipment with germicides and sterilizers. Count instruments, needles, sponges, and other supplies before and after the procedure. Manage the records and files for procedures. 4 steps to become a surgical tech
Becoming a surgical tech is nowhere near as rigorous as becoming a doctor or even a nurse. It only takes about 2 years to become a surgical tech, although it can take less if you opt for a diploma or certificate program instead of community college. 1. Apply for a surgical tech program
If you want to become a surgical tech, you will need to choose between a certificate or diploma program and an associate degree. Surgical tech programs consist of a classroom component and clinical training. 3. Get certified (optional)
While not all states require surgical techs to get official certification, many employers prefer it. The most common certification exam for surgical technicians and technologists is the CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) exam. 4. Find a job
Job demand for surgical technologists is expected to grow 8.7% between 2020 and 2030 according to Projections Managing Partnership, an affiliate of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is considerably higher than average. How much do surgical techs make?
According to the BLS, the average surgical tech salary is $55,960 as of May 2022. This is about $26.90 an hour. Some of the best surgical tech programs
Many community colleges and trade schools train surgical technologists. Before enrolling, make sure the college is accredited by the ABHES or the CAAHEP.
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Surgical techs play a supportive but crucial role alongside surgeons and nurses. As a surgical tech, you will support surgeons during a variety of procedures, preparing sterile rooms and dealing with patients as they enter the operating room. Surgical techs maintain a sterile environment and hand the necessary tools to the surgeon. They also keep patients comfortable and monitor their vital signs. At the end of the surgery, surgical techs transport the patient to the recovery room and document the details of the surgery. What does a surgical tech do on an average workday?
A surgical tech’s daily duties are pretty varied, but they usually involve the following: Help surgeons, assistants, and nurses scrub their hands and arms, put on personal protective equipment before procedures. Arrange instruments, supplies, and equipment based on the surgeon’s instructions. Greet patients, position them on the operating table, cover them with sterile drapes, and observe vital signs. Operate, monitor, and adjust the lights, diagnostic equipment, suction machines, fluids, and sterilizers before, during, and after the procedure. Give sterilized instruments, bandages, and supplies to the surgeon and assistants. Wash and sterilize equipment with germicides and sterilizers. Count instruments, needles, sponges, and other supplies before and after the procedure. Manage the records and files for procedures. 4 steps to become a surgical tech
Becoming a surgical tech is nowhere near as rigorous as becoming a doctor or even a nurse. It only takes about 2 years to become a surgical tech, although it can take less if you opt for a diploma or certificate program instead of community college. 1. Apply for a surgical tech program
If you want to become a surgical tech, you will need to choose between a certificate or diploma program and an associate degree. Surgical tech programs consist of a classroom component and clinical training. 3. Get certified (optional)
While not all states require surgical techs to get official certification, many employers prefer it. The most common certification exam for surgical technicians and technologists is the CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) exam. 4. Find a job
Job demand for surgical technologists is expected to grow 8.7% between 2020 and 2030 according to Projections Managing Partnership, an affiliate of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is considerably higher than average. How much do surgical techs make?
According to the BLS, the average surgical tech salary is $55,960 as of May 2022. This is about $26.90 an hour. Some of the best surgical tech programs
Many community colleges and trade schools train surgical technologists. Before enrolling, make sure the college is accredited by the ABHES or the CAAHEP.
#J-18808-Ljbffr