How to become a surgical tech: 4 steps

Did you know you can work in an operating room with just an associate degree? You may not want to…it involves blood, guts, and life-and-death situations, but if that doesn’t deter you, there are plenty of job opportunities for surgical techs.

When most people think of surgery, they imagine a surgeon carefully performing intricate procedures. But an operation’s success isn’t just up to the surgeon: it takes a team of medical professionals to assure patients are safe and surgeries are successful. Surgical technologists are key members of such teams.

Most surgical technicians and technologists have an associate degree or less. In fact, surgical technician is one of many lucrative careers in allied health that don’t require you to go to college for 4 years.

In this article we’ll explain how to become a surgical tech in 4 clear steps. We also give a shoutout to some exceptional surgical tech programs.

What is a surgical tech?

Surgical techs play a supportive but crucial role alongside surgeons and nurses. As a surgical tech, you will support surgeons during a variety of procedures, preparing sterile rooms and dealing with patients as they enter the operating room.

» Also read: How to become a registered nurse

Surgical techs maintain a sterile environment and hand the necessary tools to the surgeon. They also keep patients comfortable and monitor their vital signs. At the end of the surgery, surgical techs transport the patient to the recovery room and document the details of the surgery.

 Surgical technologist vs technician vs scrub tech… what’s the difference?

These terms are mostly synonmous, but there are slight nuances. Some employers may use the term “surgical technologist” to refer to someone with more advanced qualifications, usually an associate degree, whereas a “surgical technician” has only completed a diploma course.

Scrub tech and operating room tech are just more terms for the same job position.

A surgical first assistant, on the other hand, is directly involved in surgical activities. They have better pay, more training, and more responsibilities than surgical techs.

Another similar role is sterile processing technician. Sterile processing techs usually stay out of the operating room—they are responsible for sterilizing, cleaning, disinfecting, and storing medical equipment.

There are many more jobs in healthcare to explore.

What does a surgical tech do on an average workday?

A surgical tech’s daily duties are pretty varied, but they usually involve the following:

• Help surgeons, assistants, and nurses scrub their hands and arms, put on personal protective equipment before procedures.
• Arrange instruments, supplies, and equipment based on the surgeon’s instructions.
• Greet patients, position them on the operating table, cover them with sterile drapes, and observe vital signs.
• Operate, monitor, and adjust the lights, diagnostic equipment, suction machines, fluids, and sterilizers before, during, and after the procedure
• Give sterilized instruments, bandages, and supplies to the surgeon and assistants.
• Handle tissue specimens.
• Wash and sterilize equipment with germicides and sterilizers.
• Count instruments, needles, sponges, and other supplies before and after the procedure.
• Manage the records and files for procedures.

4 steps to become a surgical tech

Becoming a surgical tech is nowhere near as rigorous as becoming a doctor or even a nurse. It only takes about 2 years to become a surgical tech, although it can take less if you opt for a diploma or certificate program instead of community college.

1. Apply for a surgical tech program

If you want to become a surgical tech, you will need to choose between a certificate or diploma program and an associate degree.

Certificate and diploma programs are usually shorter, lasting several months to a year, whereas getting an associate degree usually takes 2 years.

According to IPEDS data, 40.5% of surgical techs have an associate degree, 32.7% have “some college, but no degree,” and 12.2% have only a high school diploma. Only 11.9% have a bachelor’s degree.

» Also read: The 25 highest paying associate’s degrees

2. Study and complete your clinicals

Surgical tech programs consist of a classroom component and clinical training.

In the classroom, you will learn about:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Pharmacology
• Medical terminology
• Surgical techniques and instruments
• Patient care
• Ethics
• Infection control and sterilization
• And much more

If you are pursuing an associate degree, you will also take general education classes like math and communications.

The hands-on component of your program will generally involve observing and assisting an experienced surgical tech as an extern in a hospital or clinic. This is referred to as “clinical rotations,” or simply “clinicals.”

Some students complete a surgical tech internship independently of their instruction program.

As you gain hands-on experience in your externship or internship, you will accumulate practical hours, which are necessary for eventual certification.

3. Get certified (optional)

While not all states require surgical techs to get official certification, many employers prefer it.

The most common certification exam for surgical technicians and technologists is the CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) exam.

The CST exam takes 4 hours and consists of 175 questions; 150 of them are scored, and 25 are not. Exam takers must get 102 questions right to pass.

You can take the CST exam a maximum of 3 times a year.

Certification is also possible through the TS-C exam (Tech in Surgery – Certified), which is more geared towards surgical techs with working experience.

You will need to renew your certification every 4 years. This involves earning continuing education (CE) credits through hospital in-service participation, college courses, healthcare manufacturers’ events, and conference lectures

4. Find a job

Job demand for surgical technologists is expected to grow 8.7% between 2020 and 2030 according to Projections Managing Partnership, an affiliate of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is considerably higher than average.

The majority of surgical technicians and technologists work in hospitals, although some also work in outpatient clinics and physician’s offices.

Check job postings at local healthcare facilities to look for opportunities.

How much do surgical techs make?

According to the BLS, the average surgical tech salary is $55,960 as of May 2022. This is about $26.90 an hour.

Some of the best surgical tech programs

Many community colleges and trade schools train surgical technologists. Before enrolling, make sure the college is accredited by the ABHES or the CAAHEP.

Below, we recognize some exceptional surgical tech programs.

Skyline College

Located in San Bruno, California, Skyline College offers a comprehensive Associate of Science in Surgical Technology program that lasts 11 months (30 general education credits are also required).

Students gain hands-on experience through a state-of-the-art simulation lab that features patient simulators with monitors, beds, and patient supplies.

Nassau Community College

Nassau Community College, which is in Garden City, New York, houses a Surgical Technology program that has been around for 45 years. It is one of the college’s most popular programs.

The 2-year Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Surgical Technology (AAS) combines classroom instruction with training at 4 different clinical sites, as well as labs.

This provides students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in the dynamic field of surgical technology.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College

Based in Rock Spring, Georgia, GNTC offers both a diploma and an Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology.

The curriculum focuses on surgical procedures, anatomy, and sterile techniques, equipping students with the skills needed to excel in the operating room.

Through a blend of classroom learning and hands-on experience (comprising 4 surgical technology clinicals), graduates are prepared for a career in surgical technology.

Bellingham Technical College

Bellingham Technical College, in scenic seaside Bellingham, Washington, offers an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Surgical Technology program.

Students receive a comprehensive education that combines classroom theory with extensive clinical practice (both labs and clinicals). With a strong emphasis on teamwork and critical thinking, graduates are well-prepared to join surgical teams in healthcare settings.

In the last 5 years, 100% of graduates passed the NCST exam.

Coastal Pines Technical College

Coastal Pines Technical College, located in Waycross, Georgia, offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Surgical Technology.

Through its curriculum, students gain a deep understanding of surgical procedures, patient care, and sterile techniques.

In addition to core surgical tech classes, they must also take Language Arts, Social/Behavioral Science, Natural Science/Math, and Humanities courses.

Henry Ford College

Henry Ford College is situated in Dearborn, Michigan. It hosts a leading Surgical Technology program.

As part of the curriculum, students spend their first year learning in the classroom, whereas the second year focuses on clinicals, where students spend about 600 hours getting hands on experience.

Laramie County Community College

Laramie County Community College has campuses in Cheyenne and Laramie. It offers an Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology that admits 1 class per year in fall.

Students benefit from an immersive 11-month curriculum that covers surgical procedures, anatomy, and sterile techniques. With ample opportunities for clinical experience in healthcare facilities (often outside Laramie County), graduates are poised for success in the dynamic field of surgical technology.

El Paso Community College

El Paso Community College, based in El Paso, Texas, features an esteemed Surgical Technology program that can be completed in 2 years.

Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training in clinical settings, students gain a thorough understanding of surgical procedures and patient care. Graduates from EPCC emerge with the skills and knowledge necessary for a rewarding career in surgical technology, as well as soft skills like adaptability, critical thinking, teamwork, and time management.

Columbus Technical College

Columbus Tech, situated in Columbus, Georgia, is home to a reputable Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology program.

The curriculum focuses on surgical procedures, anatomy, and sterile techniques, providing students with a strong foundation for a surgical technology career. With clinical rotations in local healthcare facilities, graduates are well-prepared to thrive in the fast-paced environment of surgical technology.

Elgin Community College

Students at Elgin Community College, which is located in Illinois just outside Chicago, can choose between a 2-year Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology and a Basic Vocational Certificate in Sterile Processing and Distribution.

Students here benefit from a curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on clinical experience. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and critical thinking, graduates are well-equipped to excel in surgical technology.