If you’re looking into pursuing a career as a surgical technician, there is some good news and bad news regarding the transition from your current career to being a surgical scrub. The good news is that you don’t need some fancy four-year college degree to become a surgical tech. The bad news is that you will have to undergo surgical technologist training.
But when you look at it, this isn’t a bad thing at all. By going through surgical technologist training, you will learn the skills you need to have confidence in your abilities as a surgical technician. This is the type of confidence that saves lives each and every day on the operating table.
And it’s not only the confidence, but the knowledge, experience and background that you will have after emerging from surgical technologist training which will allow you to join this rapidly expanding and lucrative field. The salary for surgical techs in 2018 is at a record high, so read on if you’re interested in becoming a surgical tech!
Pre-Requisites of Surgical Technologist Training
As mentioned above, you don’t need a medical degree or any other credentials from any post-secondary institutions to start on your path towards becoming a surgical technician. In fact, you only need a few things to get started:
- At least 18 years of age
- A high school diploma, GED or equivalent
- A love of math, science, physiology, anatomy, biology and health
- A clean record
- A Strong stomach
- Concentration
Important to note is the surgical technologist’s strong stomach and concentration. Because of the proximity with which surgical scrubs work next to surgeons, they are constantly in the mix of things so cannot be squeamish or need to take breaks. Further, their concentration must not waiver, whether the lapses are caused by squeamishness or any other distraction. A patient’s life hangs in the balance during each and every day on the job. Of course, you will be desensitized to certain things during your surgical tech training, but possessing the qualities beforehand will make a large difference in your progress.
For most of you, you probably already possess all of these things if you’re reading this article, so there’s no problem there. It should be noted, however, that depending on the school and your background, you may be required to enroll in basic math or science courses at a local community college or the equivalent, but this is not the majority occurrence. In fact, it really comes down to what you choose to pursue:
- A degree in surgical technology
- A diploma in surgical technology
- A certificate in surgical technology
For more information on the differences between the types of educational gradations, check out our surgical tech schools page.
Surgical Technologist Degree vs. Certificate
Depending on the state in which you reside, you will have a range of choices, including 2-year degrees or 12 month certificates. Some states even provide a 9 month surgical tech training program. Either way, any accredited surgical technologist training program will provide you with the necessary tools you need to walk into the job market after completion and get hired. Here is the difference between a degree and a certificate:
- Earning a surgical technologist degree doesn’t require previous healthcare experience
- Earning a surgical technologist certificate comes after earning a degree or experience in the field of medicine.
For more information about various certificates, visit our section on surgical technologist certification information.
What to Expect During Surgical Tech Training
Because each state runs their own requirements, you will have to check with each individual school to find specific information on curriculum and coursework. With that said, here’s a look at some of the courses and values you can expect to learn during your training as a surgical technologist:
- Human Anatomy
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Aseptic techniques
- Surgical procedures
- Patient care
- Medical ethics and terminology
- Administration.
- Critical thinking
- Decisive actions
- Keeping emotions in check
A Sample of Surgical Technologist Training
Here’s a brief look at the type of things you will be learning in your surgical tech training courses. The following are the three basic stages of a surgical scrub’s duties and what each entails:
Preoperative Phase: Sterilization Is Key
As a surgical technologist, you are typically the first person into the operating room and therefore are responsible for the following jobs which you will learn during surgical scrub training:
- Putting on your scrubs properly
- Prepping and sterilization of the entire room
- Getting all the necessary surgical tools and medical equipment for each specific surgery
- Sterilization of said equipment, final counts and how to arrange them
The key to the preoperative phase is creation and maintenance of a sterile operating environment. You will learn the various ways a sterile field may become compromised like by the introduction of moisture, and how to stop this from happening: arranging dry, sterile drapes or gauze in the operating area and maintaining the room’s sterility.
Intraoperative Phase: The Helping Hand
The next step, known as an intraoperative phase, simply means “as the surgery is actually taking place” and is one of the most important functioning times of a surgical scrub. As you’ll learn in surgical tech training, not only are you responsible for the sterility of the entire operating room throughout the procedure, but also for becoming the official surgical team “helping hand.” You will be trained to:
- Prepare and administer medications as directed by the trained staff
- Retract tissues and operate lamps and/or suction devices
- Anticipate the need for and then hand the correct surgical equipment to both the surgical assistant and the lead surgeon
The basic function of the surgical tech during the intraoperative phase is to ensure the smooth running of the operating room by whatever means necessary. This means not having any delays, mishaps or blunders due to concentration lapses.
Postoperative Phase: Tying Everything Together
After the operation, the surgical tech’s job is not over. Additionally, he will be trained to:
- Monitor the number of all tools and sponges to ensure none are left in a patient. This common medical mishap is the cause of many deaths and malpractice suits
- Suture incisions and dress areas of operation
- Safely dispose of needles, gauze and any other medical waste that builds up during the procedure
At times, the surgical tech may even be responsible for the patient’s journey to the recovery room.
Externships in Surgical Technology
Externships are supervised working experiences in a live location such as a resident hospital. Top surgical technician training programs will enroll their students in these hands-on opportunities to ensure they are getting the proverbial “trial by fire.” This type of training makes sure that you are ready for anything and will bolster your resume, shooting it to the head of job application piles in a heartbeat. Further, doing an externship is a great way to get a letter of recommendation.
Surgical tech training isn’t the only certification that uses externships and internships. Licensed vocational nurses also do externships. The main difference is, after completing the externship, the average LVN salary is slightly lower than that of surgical techs.
Choosing a Surgical Technologist Certificate Program
For more information the various certificate programs available, and finding the right one for you, visit our surgical technologist certification page.