If you’re looking to become a surgical tech, there are a few things you need to do. Follow these five steps and you’ll be on your way to an exciting and rewarding career in the medical field!
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Research the field
Becoming a surgical tech requires completing a surgical technology program, which takes about a year. The first step is to research the field to make sure that it is the right fit for you. Once you have decided that this is the right career path for you, the next step is to choose a surgical technology program.
What do surgical techs do?
A surgical technologist — often called a scrub, surgical tech or operating room technician — is an allied health professional who works closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses and other surgical personnel to provide patient care before, during and after surgery.
Surgical technologists are multi-skilled health care professionals who work under the direct supervision of surgeons, registered nurses or licensed practical nurses. They handle the instruments, supplies and equipment necessary during surgery. Surgical technologists also help prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment and make sure that patients are as comfortable as possible.
During surgery, a surgical technologistpasses instruments and other items to the surgeon and helps to maintain a sterile environment. A surgical technologist may also perform minor tasks such as applying dressings and transporting patients to and from the operating room.
After surgery, a surgical technologist may help to clean and sterilize the operating room and maintain equipment. In some cases, a surgical technologist may also be responsible for stocking supplies and disposing of hazardous materials.
What are the educational requirements?
Educational requirements can vary by state, but most surgical technologists complete a one- or two-year accredited surgical technology program. You can also earn certification through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
Some states require certification, while others may not. However, most employers prefer to hire certified surgical technologists. To become certified through the NBSTSA, you must:
1. Complete an accredited educational program OR have at least two years of full-time work experience as a surgical technologist
2. Pass the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam
3. Meet any additional state requirements (if applicable)
What are the certification requirements?
There are no formal education requirements to become a surgical technologist, but most employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited surgical technology program. These programs typically take about nine months to complete and lead to a certificate or associate degree.
While not required, completing a surgical technology program can give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this field. In these programs, you’ll take classes such as human anatomy, medical terminology and sterilization procedures. You’ll also get practical experience in a hospital or surgical setting.
Get training
Becoming a surgical tech is a great way to get into the medical field without having to go to medical school. surgical techs are an important part of the surgical team and provide support to surgeons during procedures. If you’re interested in becoming a surgical tech, here are the five steps you need to take.
Find a surgical tech program
Becoming a surgical tech requires completing an accredited program, which can be found at community colleges, technical schools, and some hospitals. These postsecondary institutions typically offer certificate or associate’s degree programs in surgical technology. Programs usually take about nine months to a year to complete, although some accelerated programs may be available.
While in a surgical tech program, students gain the knowledge and clinical skills needed to work in an operating room. Coursework typically includes topics such as medical ethics, human anatomy, and physiology. Students also participate in hands-on clinical training, which takes place in a hospital or outpatient surgery center and allows them toShadow surgeons and other medical personnel during surgeries and learn how to sterilize equipment and handle instruments.
Complete a surgical tech program
Becoming a surgical tech usually requires completing a accredited surgical technology training program. Many community colleges, technical institutes, and universities offer accredited programs. Programs typically last about nine months to two years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree.
During your surgical tech program, you will take classes such as medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology. You will also participate in supervised clinical experiences, where you will get hands-on experience working with patients in operating rooms and other medical settings.
Get experience
If you want to become a surgical tech, the most important thing you can do is get experience. There are a few ways to do this. You can start by volunteering in a hospital or shadowing a surgical tech. You can also get a job as a medical assistant or a nurse’s aide. Once you have some experience, you can start taking classes to become certified.
Complete an internship
One of the best ways to become a surgical technologist is to complete an internship. Internships provide aspiring surgical techs with the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and gain hands-on experience in the field. Many internships also offer coursework that can help you prepare for the certified surgical technologist (CST) exam.
Find a job as a surgical tech
One of the best ways to get started in your career as a surgical tech is to find a job in a hospital or surgery center. There are many different types of facilities that employ surgical techs, so you should have no trouble finding a position that’s right for you. Once you have a job, you can begin to gain the experience and knowledge you need to be successful in your career.
Get certified
Surgical techs play a vital role in the medical field by helping surgeons during operations. If you have a passion for helping others and want to enter the medical field, becoming a surgical tech may be the perfect career for you. In this article, we’ll show you how to become a surgical tech in just five steps.
Become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
in order to become a certified surgical technologist, you must complete the following steps:
1. Complete an accredited surgical technology program. In order to be eligible to take the certification exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), you must graduate from an accredited surgical technology program. There are more than 300 such programs across the united states that have been accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
2. Pass the Certification Exam. After successfully completing an accredited surgical technology program, you must then pass the CST exam administered by the NBSTSA in order to earn your certification. The CST exam is a computer-based test that consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering a wide range of topics related to surgical technology.
3. Maintain Your Certification. Once you have achieved your CST certification, it is important to maintain it in order to keep your credential current and in good standing. The NBSTSA requires recertification every four years and provides a variety of ways in which certified surgical technologists can meet this requirement, such as completing continuing education courses or passing an alternate competency exam.
Maintain certification
Becoming a surgical tech is a great way to get into the medical field without having to go to medical school. Surgical techs play a vital role in the operating room, assisting surgeons and other medical personnel with patient care. If you’re interested in becoming a surgical tech, here are five steps you can follow to make it happen.
Renew your certification every four years
The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) oversees the surgical technology certification process. Once you have become certified, you must renew your credential every four years. The NBSTSA offers two ways to renew: by taking the Certification Renewal Exam or by completing Continuing Education (CE) credits.
The exam option is only available to those who took and passed the original certifying exam within the past eight years. If it has been longer than eight years since you took the original exam, you will need to retake the entire certifying exam in order to renew your credential.
The CE option is available to all certified surgical technologists, regardless of how they originally became certified. To renew by CE, you must complete 60 CE credits within the four-year renewal period. Of these 60 credits, a maximum of 30 can come from non-verified sources such as self-study, webinars, and symposiums. The other 30 credits must be earned through NBSTSA-verified activities, such as workshops, conferences, and specialty courses.
