Requirements for Becoming and Succeeding as a Surgical Technologist

Surgical technologists play a vital role on healthcare teams. Before operations, they're responsible for preparing an environment that prevents infection and promotes desirable health outcomes. During operations, they maintain the environment and assist the other members of the team. Afterward, they tie up various loose ends, apply dressings to patients' surgical sites, dispose of needles and other supplies, and take account of the instruments used during the procedure. Because of their contributions, other key players in the operating room can focus on their respective duties and rest assured that the surgical tech has covered all the finer details.

Training to become a healthcare professional that others can rely on is a journey that involves training, certification, and a certain set of skills. Here's an in-depth look at these requirements.
 

Essential Education for Surgical Technologists

The path to becoming a surgical technologist, or surgical tech, begins with higher learning, so after earning a high school diploma or equivalent, it's recommended that individuals earn either:

• An associate degree from an accredited surgical technology program 
• A certificate issued by an organization recognized by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE)

An adequate degree or certificate program should provide comprehensive instruction in subjects that are relevant to the surgical technologist role, especially anatomy and physiology. These are critical because every capable surgical technologist should understand the structure and mechanics of the human body. This helps them understand the impacts of surgical techniques. Microbiology is another important subject because sterilization and infection control are two other crucial areas of the surgical tech's role.

Keep in mind the importance of attending an accredited school for surgical technology. As the U.S. Department of Education states, the goal of accreditation is to ensure that academic institutions meet certain quality standards. With that being the case, students cannot receive federal financial aid unless their school is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.  
 

Hands-On Training for Surgical Technologists

Hands-on training comes in the form of laboratory and clinical experiences through a surgical technology program. Clinical experiences place students in real-life surgical settings and give them the opportunity to learn how to carry out their professional responsibilities from existing surgical technologists. They can also identify areas of specialization in which to concentrate their surgical technology career. These may include:

• Cardiology
• Cosmetic or reconstructive surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Organ transplantation
• Orthopedics
• Pediatric surgery

Surgical Technology Certification Requirements

Aspiring surgical technologists have several avenues to certification. Two of the most common are:

• The NBSTSA offers the Certified Surgical Technologist designation, which requires a passing score on the 97-question CST exam.
• Certification through the National Center for Competency Testing confers the title of Tech in Surgery. Individuals may be eligible for the TS-C through formal schooling, professional experience, or military training.

The Association of Surgical Technologists reports that 13 states have passed laws related to the certification of surgical technologists, so certification may be a requirement depending on where candidates live. Check the surgical technology laws in your state to determine the requirements to practice professionally. We recommend reviewing https://www.credentialingexcellence.org/ for the most up to date information.

Though certification may not be required elsewhere, earning it may improve the odds of landing a surgical technologist job and advancing your career by validating your expertise and dedication.
 

Essential Surgical Technologist Skills

To be successful, surgical technologists need a robust skill set. Work on developing at least the following competencies during your training and certification:

• Technical skills: Surgical technologists need a firm understanding of certain medical topics (anatomy, sterilization, and infection control), a working familiarity with surgical procedures, the ability to handle surgical tools, and knowledge of how to prepare and maintain certain surgical equipment. 
• Communication and teamwork: The members of an operating room team must be effective communicators, given the complexity of surgical procedures. They must also have sufficient chemistry to ensure that the operation proceeds smoothly.
• Flexibility and problem-solving: Surgeries don't always go according to plan, so every member of the team should be capable of adapting to unexpected situations and devising solutions on the fly.
• Attention to detail and organization: Because surgical technologists are responsible for preparing the operating room and passing instruments to the surgeon during surgeries, they must be detail-oriented enough not to overlook key preparatory steps and organized enough to arrange the required instruments as efficiently as possible.

Concorde Career College can help you train for your surgical technology career. In as little as 17 months, you can earn your associate degree in surgical technology and prepare for certification to practice in surgical settings. Our programs offer varied clinical experiences as part of the curriculum, so you enter the profession with experience under your belt. We encourage you to request information by clicking the button below or call 1-800-693-7010 to learn more.