How to become a surgical technician; best route

To set the records straight, how to become a surgical technician is never an out-of-the-world task.

It is quite achievable and you can become a surgical technician in record time.

A surgical technician basically works in the hospital alongside the hospital’s surgical team. They are actually a very vital part of the team and must be present in every surgical procedure.

Surgical technicians are almost the surgeon’s third hand. They understand the surgeon’s moves and needs in the operating room.

Not only that, people in this line of career must be very organized and alert. They always stay informed about the advancement that always takes place in the surgical field.

Therefore, if you want to just know how to become a surgical technician or you really want to go into that line of career, then, you are about to get all you need to know about how to become a surgical technician from here.

The work description of a surgical technician

For the success of every surgical procedure, a surgical technician always contributes and plays an essential role in it.

Basically, a surgical procedure can not occur without the presence of a surgical technician.

Moving forward, as a surgical technician, your responsibility includes:

Staying close to the surgeon and assisting with surgical tools handling.

Sterilizing the operation room and all the surgical tools.

Putting surgical equipment together and arranging them before a surgical procedure.

Monitoring patients and surgical machines during surgery.

Prepping the patient before surgery and cleaning the surgical site in readiness for surgery.

Helping to turn patients around during the surgery.

Make sure the operation room is properly cleaned and sterilized after each surgical procedure.

Make sure all surgical equipment and tools are in a fully functional state and complete always.

How to become a surgical technician

Obviously, a surgical technician must go through some training and qualify, before a certificate is conferred on them.

Also, before you receive your license, you must sit for your qualification examination. This training lasts for at least, 2 years for an individual to become fully qualified.

To continue, you have to pass a higher diploma first, then, proceed for an associate degree. An associate degree program boosts your chances of immediate employment.

On the other hand, individuals looking into becoming surgical technicians can enroll in surgical tech programs that are accredited by Allied Health Education Programs.

Generally, prospective surgical techs take courses on the maintenance of the operating rooms, equipment, and tools. The training goes a bit higher and teaches students about surgical processes and the need and how to sterilize surgical tools properly.

By the way, you can specialize in the type of surgery you assist in or choose to be a general surgery technician. The choice is yours but this choice and if you decide to specialize, you will need to go for extra training and stretch yourself a bit further.

How can I become certified as a surgical technician?

After completing the programs, the next step is to become certified. Surgical technicians generally get certified by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or by the National Center for Competency Testing.

First and foremost, you must sit for the certification exams to test all you have learned both in the classroom and the operating room practicals. Your success in these exams will determine if you qualify for a certificate or not.

More so, after you get certified, you must complete your hours of continued education every 2 to 4 years of certification renewal.

By the way, a surgical technician must have the Tech in Surgery Certificate (TS) or the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certificates.

How to become a surgical tech online

Well, not to mince words here though, but if you want to know how to become a surgical tech online, you have to understand that it is not fully obtainable.

For you to become a professional surgical technician, you must pass through the in-person practicals and physical classes.

You need to physically practice surgical tools sterilization and other things you need to practice under the watchful eyes of the professionals.

Except, of course, you have completed this accredited certificate and already obtained your Certified Surgery Technologist certificate or completed your diploma programs. This is when you can now take up your associate programs online.

So, if you are looking for how to become a surgical tech online, clearly, it is not fully feasible. You literally need the physical classes to be qualified.

How to become a surgical tech in California

Becoming a surgical technician in California is quite a lucrative job with an average salary of $71,240 and an hourly payment of $40.

In California, this job has a growth curve attached to it. This means that this job gives you the opportunity to grow on the job, unlike most jobs around.

So, if you wish to pick up a career in this field, this article will show you what it will take for you to know just how to become a surgical tech in California.

California surgical technician program

First, you must complete an accredited surgical tech program. But before you qualify to attend an accredited surgical program, you need a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Again, some schools will ask you for some prerequisite courses before you can take up a surgical tech program.

So, before you enroll in the surgical tech program, you must make sure that the school is accredited by either the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Whether it is a certification program that lasts for at least, a period of 9 months or a degree program that takes at least 2 years, be sure you enroll in an accredited school.

Ultimately, the next step after you successfully pass through the program is to obtain your certificate. Your certificate must come from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

The California State Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) gives you the guidelines on what a surgical technician can do or not.

Surgical technician colleges in California

There are some accredited schools in California for anyone that wants to become a surgical technician. Here, we made a list for you:

San Joaquin Valley College

This school generally offers courses in surgical procedures and management and takes up to 1 year and 5 months to complete.

Carrington College

Carrington College in San Jose is another well-established school that will give you a proper training in your career

Skyline College

Here, you have to run a year program for both the certification program and associate degree courses. Also, the school is located in San Bruno and it is among the best.

How to become a surgical technician in Florida

Though the people in this line of work are seen as health care professionals, however, in Florida, the job is not regulated by the state.

The majority of the time, the hospitals or private employers decide what the surgical tech employee must possess. Regularly, employers demand certificates issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) and the American Heart Association (AHA).

Furthermore, in Florida, you must have a higher diploma or a GED. It is also very necessary that you go through the accredited programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Another organization that can accredit your surgical programs in Florida is the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

So, be sure to check the programs you enroll in and make sure they are the right ones for you. Then, you can sit for your certification examination.

In conclusion, the surgical technician is a serious occupation. It is for individuals who are focused and well-organized.

Taking a career in this field will give you room for growth and broaden your knowledge and horizon.