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So, you want to become a surgical tech? Great! It’s a noble profession that can make a real difference in people’s lives. But how long does it take to become a surgical tech?
Well, that depends on a few factors. If you’re already a certified medical assistant or have a related degree, you can complete a surgical tech program in as little as 9 months. But if you don’t have any prior medical experience, you’ll likely need to complete a 2
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How Many Years Does It Take to Become a Surgical Tech?
surgical techs are an important part of the surgical team. They are responsible for preparing the operating room and patients for surgery, as well as helping during the surgery. surgical tech programs typically take about two years to complete, and graduates earn an Associate’s Degree.
What Are the Education Requirements to Become a Surgical Tech?
There are a few different education pathways you can take to become a surgical tech. A common route is to first earn a certificate or diploma from an accredited surgical technology program, which typically takes around 12 months to complete. After that, you can choose to either earn an associate’s degree in surgical technology or enter the workforce.
If you opt to pursue an associate’s degree, you can expect the program to last around two years. In addition to coursework, most programs include a clinical component that gives you the chance to gain hands-on experience in a real-world setting. Once you have completed your education and earned all the necessary credentials, you will be ready to begin your career as a surgical tech!
What Are the Certification and Licensure Requirements to Become a Surgical Tech?
There are no specific certification or licensure requirements to become a surgical tech. However, most employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited surgical technology program and hold a certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
Candidates who have completed an accredited surgical technology program can take the NBSTSA’s Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam to earn their certification. To be eligible to take the CST exam, candidates must have graduated from an accredited surgical technology program or have completed a minimum of one year of full-time work experience as a surgical technologist.
The CST exam is a multiple-choice exam that covers various topics related to surgical technology, such as medical terminology, sterilization procedures, and infection control. Candidates who pass the CST exam will receive their certification within four to six weeks.
What Are the Job Duties of a Surgical Tech?
A surgical technologist, or surgical tech, is a trained professional who assists surgeons and other medical staff during surgeries and other medical procedures. Surgical techs typically have an associate’s degree or certification from a vocational program. Some surgical techs may also have a bachelor’s degree in surgical technology.
Surgical technologists typically have the following job duties:
-Assisting surgeons during surgeries
-Preparing operating rooms for surgeries
-Sterilizing equipment and tools
-Counting surgical instruments
-Transporting patients to and from the operating room
What Are the job outlook and Salary for Surgical Techs?
The job outlook for surgical techs is positive, with a projected growth of 14% from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.1 The median annual wage for surgical techs was $48,300 in May 2019.2
Becoming a surgical tech typically requires completing an accredited surgical technology program, which can take up to two years. Some programs may offer an associate’s degree, while others may only offer a certificate. Upon completion of an accredited program, graduates must then pass a national certification exam to become certified surgical technologists (CST).
