How Can a Surgical Technologist Become Certified?
Surgical technicians are trained medical professionals who provide assistance to surgeons during surgical procedures. Students interested in this field are required to complete an educational program that provides both coursework and hands-on experience in clinical operations. You can choose to pursue and certificate, diploma, or associates degree in surgical technology. Although many states don’t require surgical technologists to be certified, the individuals who receive the certification may have better career opportunities. Let’s take a look at why this is.
Certified Surgical Technician Education Requirements
The first requirement to be a certified surgical technician is to hold at least a certificate, diploma, or associates degree in surgical technology from a technical school or university. Any surgical technology program includes a detailed classroom work coupled with hands-on clinical experience at a medical office or a hospital.
Common courses you can undertake include pharmacology, human anatomy, microbiology, medical terminology, surgical technology skills, and surgical technology professional ethics. The training program for surgical technologists will lay emphasis on patient preparation, instrument sterilization, and surgical aseptic techniques.
Career Opportunities for a CST
Certified surgical technologists work under the supervision of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other operating room personnel to assist during preparation and execution of a surgical procedure. These professionals prepare surgical equipment and instrument in addition to sterile solutions and linens.
Prior to the procedure, they prepare patients by cleaning and disinfecting the incision areas, wheel the patient to the operating theater, and position them on the operating table ready for the incision. As the operation begins, a surgical technician supplies the surgeon with various surgical equipment and supplies.
So, in general, surgical technicians work in hospital delivery rooms and operating room. But that’s not all. They work in doctors’ offices as well as ambulatory surgical centers.
Skills and Traits of a Successful Surgical Technologist
If you’re aspiring to make a mark as a successful surgical technologist, there are critical skills and traits that you must exercise. They include:
Teamwork: Surgical technologists work closely with the entire surgical team and should be able to collaborate and communicate well with them for a successful procedure. These include surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists.
Attention to Detail: There are numerous details to pay close attention to in an operating room, from the strategic positioning of the equipment to scheduling of a procedure and sterilizing the tools. Surgical technologist should be keen to see through the critical details without distractions.
Active Listening: A surgical technologist should listen carefully to surgeons and patients and respond in a clear manner. Sometimes advanced surgical techs may lead other junior surgical technologists, but they will still need to listen and give clear feedback.
Dexterity: Of course, it’s the surgeon who performs the actual surgery, but techs with steady hands and manual dexterity skills could be very useful in the operating room.
Problem Sensitivity: A skillful surgical technologist will have the ability to tell if something goes wrong or is likely to go wrong in the course of a surgical procedure. Anything can go wrong and pass the eye of a surgeon, but a surgical tech who can better anticipate such issues can help everyone avoid possibly devastating mistakes.
Monitoring: The surgical tech’s ability to monitor the situation around, the instrument, and other team members’ behaviors can be helpful in successfully executing the everyday duties of a surgical technologist.
The Job Outlook for Surgical Technicians
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most employers now prefer hiring certified surgical technologists. BLS predicts the employment opportunities for surgical technologists to increase by 15% between the year 2014 and 2024. This is attributed to the increasing need to take care of the aging population.
Advancement in the field of surgical technology has made surgical procedures much safer and now more illnesses and conditions are treated through surgery. Every medical facility, looks to invest in more qualified surgical technologists.
If this sounds like your ideal career, consider ECPI University’s College of Health Science, Medical Careers Institute (MCI). In as little as 1.5 years, you could be able to earn your Associate of Applied Science Degree in Surgical Technology through MCI’s year-round schedule. Interested in learning more about surgical technology? Contact one of our friendly admissions counselors today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Surgical Technology - Associate’s
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