How Long Does It Take to Become a Surgical Tech?

If you’re wondering how long it takes to become a surgical tech, the answer is typically around 18 months. This profession is growing in popularity, and for good reason! surgical techs play a vital role in the operating room, and can make a great salary. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in surgical technology, read on to learn more.

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Introduction

The surgical tech program typically takes between 9 and 15 months to complete, although some schools offer accelerated programs that can be completed in as little as 6 months. After completing the program, you will need to take a certification exam to become a certified surgical technologist (CST).

How Long Does It Take to Become a Surgical Tech?

It generally takes about nine months to complete a surgical technology program. This includes both classroom and clinical instruction. Some programs can be completed in as little as six months, while others may take up to a year.

Surgical Tech Programs

There are many surgical tech programs available, but not all of them are created equal. Some programs may take as little as 6 months to complete, while others may take up to 2 years. It is important to choose a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). These accreditations ensure that the program meets certain standards and provides its students with the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in their career.

On-the-Job Training

Once you have completed an accredited surgical technology program, you will then need to complete a mandatory period of on-the-job training. The length of this training will vary depending on the state in which you are working, but it is typically between four and six weeks. During this time, you will be supervised by a licensed surgical technologist and will learn how to apply your knowledge and skills in a real-world setting. Once you have successfully completed your on-the-job training, you will be eligible to take the national certification exam.

What Are the Requirements to Become a Surgical Tech?

If you’re looking into becoming a surgical tech, you’re probably wondering how long it will take to complete the necessary training. The good news is that, in most cases, you can become a surgical tech in as little as two years. However, there are a few things you need to do before you can start your training. Let’s take a look at the requirements to become a surgical tech.

Education

Most surgical tech programs take about nine months to a year to complete, although some community colleges offer two-year associate’s degree programs. Coursework generally includes medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, healthcare ethics and infection control. Students also receive practical training in the use of surgical instruments and equipment.

After completing an accredited program, graduates must pass a national certification exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Some states also require surgical techs to be licensed.

Certification

There are no formal education requirements to become a surgical technologist, but most surgical techs have completed a certificate or associate’s degree program in surgical technology. These programs usually last about nine months to two years and include classroom, laboratory, and clinical work.

Some community colleges and vocational schools offer surgical technology programs that lead to a certificate, while others offer two-year associate’s degree programs. A few four-year colleges also offer bachelor’s degree programs in surgical technology, but these are less common.

While certification is not required to work as a surgical technologist, it may improve your job prospects. The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) offers the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential. To earn this credential, you must pass the NBSTSA exam.

What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Surgical Tech?

One of the benefits of becoming a surgical tech is that it is a relatively short educational process. For most people, it takes about a year to get a surgical tech certification or degree. This makes surgical tech one of the shortest healthcare training programs.

Job Satisfaction

When it comes to job satisfaction, surgical techs rate their career highly. In fact, in a recent survey of nearly 3,000 surgical techs, 84% said they were either “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with their career.

There are a number of reasons why surgical techs find their career so satisfying. First, the job is extremely varied. No two days are alike and surgical techs are constantly learning new things which keeps the job interesting.

Second, surgical techs have the satisfaction of knowing that they are playing a vital role in helping save lives. They are an important member of the surgery team and contribute directly to patient care.

Third, surgical techs often form close bonds with their colleagues and develop strong relationships with the surgeons they work with. This sense of camaraderie can make going to work each day enjoyable.

Finally, surgical techs often enjoy good job security and good pay. The demand for qualified surgical techs is high and is expected to continue to grow in the future.

Job Security

Job security is one of the main benefits of becoming a surgical tech. The demand for surgical techs is expected to grow much faster than average in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that employment of surgical techs will grow by 23% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. An aging population and advances in medical technology are driving this demand.

Conclusion

If you are interested in becoming a surgical tech, you can expect to spend anywhere from a few months to two years completing a training program. Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass a certification exam in order to become certified. After becoming certified, you will be able to find employment as a surgical tech.