Surgical Technician Courses - Attend Surgical Technician Schooling

Surgical Technician Courses | Surgical Technician Training | Our TOP Recommendations
Request FREE information today. There is NO OBLIGATION to enroll.

Surgical technologists, also referred to as scrubs and surgical or operating room technicians, support surgical operations under the supervision of registered nurses, surgeons, or other surgical personnel.

• Nature of the Work - Surgical technologists are essential members of operating room teams, which typically include surgeons, circulating nurses, and anesthesiologists. Prior to an operation, the technologists assist with the prep work in the operating theatre. This includes setting instrument sterile drapes and preparation of sterile solutions in addition to the surgical equipment setup. They also provide verification that all equipment is in proper working order.
• Surgical Technician Courses and Training - The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in 2006 recognized more than 400 accredited training programs. Programs take 9 to 24 months to complete and may lead to a associate degree, certificate, or diploma.
• Certification - Technologists may earn voluntary professional certification from the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist by completing a CAAHEP-accredited program and passing a national certification exam. They may use the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) professional designation. Continuing education or reexamination is needed to maintain certification, which must be reviewed every 4 years.
  
  

Surgical Technician Courses - Schools - Training

High school graduation is generally required for admission. Recommended high school classes include biology, health, mathematics, and chemistry.

Programs offer classroom education and supervised clinical experience. Students enroll in courses like microbiology, pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and professional ethics. Other subjects include sterile techniques, the care and safety of patients during surgery, and surgical procedures. Students also gain skill on how to prevent and control infection; sterilize instruments; and handle special solutions, drugs, supplies, and equipment.

Technicians can earn certification from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). To be eligible to take the exam, candidates must follow one of three paths: finish an accredited training program; complete a 2-year hospital on-the-job training program; or accumulate 7 years of field work experience. Following a passing score on the exam, individuals may use the designation Tech in Surgery-Certified, TS-C (NCCT). This certification must be renewed every 5 years through either reexamination or continuing education courses.


Employment Opportunities - Job Outlook


In 2006, surgical technologists held around 86,000 jobs. About 70 percent of surgical technologists’ jobs were in hospitals, primarily in delivery and operating rooms. Other jobs were in the offices of dentists or doctors who perform outpatient surgery and in outpatient care centers, such as ambulatory surgical centers. A small number of technologists, referred to as private scrubs, work directly with surgeons who have specific surgical teams, such as those for organ transplants.

Employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow much faster than the average for all careers. Job opportunities will be better for certified technologists.

Employment of surgical technologists is anticipated to increase 24 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average for all careers, as the numbers of surgeries increases. The number of surgical procedures is projected to increase as the population grows and gets older.

Surgical Technician Courses - Schools - Graduates - Earnings Statistics

In May 2006, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor reports average annual incomes of wage-and-salary surgical technologists were $36,000. The middle 50 percent made between $30,250 and $43,500. The bottom 10 percent made less than $25,500, and the top 10 percent made more than $51,000.

Related Occupations: Other health careers requiring about 1 year of education following high school include licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, dental assistants, medical assistants, and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians.


Surgical Technician Courses - Schools

There are an excellent number of choices for taking Surgical Technician Courses. Online schools and colleges now provide the same curriculum as the traditional education. Learning online provides you with so much more flexibility to suit your lifestyle and current employment. We include our top recommendations for schools and classes where you can enroll in Surgical Technician Courses.


Go from Surgical Technician Courses to Healthcare Degrees Online