As for your specific degree, your degree in Surgical Technology will give you a basic understanding of the various surgical principles and practices before delving deeper into the specific surgical techniques that are expected of you. You will learn all about sterilization methods, commonly used operating room equipment, and how different surgical instruments are used during procedures. The BLS estimates that the total employment of surgical technicians will increase by 7% by 2029, almost double the average growth rate of all other jobs over the same period (4%). The aging baby boom population is expected to increase overall demand for medical services, which will provide long-term career stability for surgical technologists. A surgical technical task of the utmost importance is to count all the tools and sponges before and after surgery to ensure that nothing remains in the patient`s body. This is a fundamental but essential task that, if not accomplished, could put the patient at risk of infection and the hospital at risk of litigation. After surgery, surgical technicians clean and sterilize the operating room and help bring patients to their recovery room. After graduation, graduates must prepare for one of the national certification exams through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (details in the section below). While not all states require certification, it shows a commitment to the profession and greatly increases the likelihood of finding a job. The exam can be completed in one day, but students should have about three months to approve their application and set a date for the exam. For more information about the certification of surgical technologists, see the next section. Baker College`s Surgical Technology program, offered at our Cadillac, Muskegon and Owosso campuses, prepares you to play an important role in the healthcare industry. Our AAS Diploma in Surgical Technology prepares beginners with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve their goals.
The experiential program provides classroom theory and hands-on experience to prepare you for a rewarding career as a surgical technologist. For example, surgical technicians may be certified as the first surgical assistant. The first assistants report directly to the surgeons during operations. According to BLS, professionals in this category earned an average annual salary of $116,080 in May 2020. Knowing the basics of the profession can help you take the first steps to becoming a surgical technician. In addition, the national median salary for surgical technicians is close to $50,000 per year. Often backed by experience and expertise, the richest 10% earn more than $73,000 a year. Each state has its own licensing requirements for surgical technologists. It is important to check the state licensing website before applying. To obtain certification, students must first complete an accredited surgical technology program – traditionally from a community college or technical school. During the final semester, students often begin to prepare for their exam.
As they progress throughout their careers, many surgical technologists pursue careers in health care as anesthesia technicians, first-time surgical assistants, registered nurses, physician assistants, physicians, or post-secondary instructors. Graduates must pass one of the national certification exams by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assist. There are two main options for certification exams for surgical technicians. To get started as a surgical technology, you must complete a surgical technology program from an accredited college or university. Although completing a surgical technology program typically requires about two full years in school, it`s possible to graduate in just 90 weeks with an accelerated degree program. At that point, in two years, you could play a crucial role in a life-saving surgery. It`s pretty exciting to think about! Although programs vary, many students earn an associate degree in surgical technology in two years. Students can gain important basic knowledge about surgical practices and principles throughout their program.
Candidates also meet various general training requirements. Like most precision-oriented environments, an operating room follows a hierarchical chain of command. Surgical technologists are considered entry-level positions that must respond to the orders of individuals who hold a senior position in the chain of command. In an operating room, the chain of command correlates with the level of education and experience, starting from the bottom with surgical technology, going all the way to surgical assistants, then nurses, and finally anesthesiologists and surgeons. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary of surgical technologists — also known as surgical technicians — is $49,710 as of May 2020. The richest 10% of these workers earn more than $73,000 a year. Interestingly, many surgical technicians become registered nurses, physician assistants, anesthesia assistants, and/or first surgical assistants. As with any long-term goal, working on a new career as a surgical technologist seems much more achievable when divided into individual steps. Once you have passed your exam, you can start working on site. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 70 percent of surgical technologists find work in hospitals. You can also look for a job in doctors` and dentists` offices.
Many employers prefer to hire surgical technicians who have completed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic resuscitation training (BLS). Each of these certifications can be completed online for the cost of a takeaway meal, for example. While not strictly necessary, these certifications will make you much more attractive to potential employers by showing that you are willing to provide life-saving care in an emergency. Each state has its own licensing requirements for surgical technologists, so professionals should review the laws of the state in which they want to work. The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) advocates for state laws that require all surgical technologists to do the following to perform work legally: An example of a CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology program is Hinds Community College (HCC) in Raymond, Mississippi. Students applying to this program must take preliminary courses in Anatomy and Physiology, English Composition, Algebra, and Humanities at HCC or another educational institution. This program starts each year in August and requires three semesters. To be a good surgical technician, you need to be highly organized, proactive, conscientious, and stable enough to handle the fast operating room environment. According to U.S. News and World Report, surgical technicians are the 17th highest-paying job without a degree and the 23rd best job in the health field.
Surgical technology programs last only 12 to 24 months and can also be a great entry point into another healthcare career, such as a registered nurse or physician assistant.