Surgical Scrub Tech Training
A surgical scrub tech, also called a surgical operating room technician, helps a surgeon during surgical operations. If you enjoy working in a team in a quiet environment following precise and detailed procedures, you will enjoy this profession that allows you to rub elbows with surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses. The training to become a surgical scrub tech lasts nine to 24 months and results into a certification or an associate's degree. In 2008, 91,500 surgical techs worked in the United States. About 70 percent of the jobs took place in hospitals' operating or delivery rooms.
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Job Responsibilities
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A scrub tech prepares the surgical tools that the surgeon plans to use for a specific surgery and ensures that they are sterile, and that all the required surgical equipment and drapes are present in the operating room. In this role, you also take care of the patient. You accompany him or her to the operating room and position their body on the table. Once the patient is under anesthesia, you prepare and disinfect the site where the surgical incision takes place. Often, you monitor the patient's vital signs on the equipment screens and report any abnormal readings. You pass the surgical tools to the nurses or surgeon when asked.
Prerequisite and Training Centers
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A high school degree forms a prerequisite to enter a training program for becoming a surgical scrub tech. In fact, if you had the chance to take courses on health, biology, or chemistry, you will feel comfortable in the program. To receive your training, you can attend one of the 463 recognized accredited training programs identified by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) as of June 2010. These reside in community and junior colleges. Hospitals and the military, as well as universities and vocational schools may offer these programs also.
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Training Work
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The teaching balances class work and clinical experience. The program starts with the basics of anatomy and medical terminology. Professors discuss topics about microbiology and the many aspects of sterilizing instruments thoroughly. Great emphasis on patient safety raises the awareness of the students to risk management and professional ethics. Pharmacology and the special handling of drugs and supplies belong to the curriculum.
Certification to Become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
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The Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist will grant a certification to you if you graduated from one of the 463 accredited CAAHEP programs and passed a national certification examination. You will need to renew your CST certification by retaking the exam every four years unless you accumulated 60 hours of approved continuing education.
Certification to Become a Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C)
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You can also obtain your certification from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) that leads to the job title of Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C). The exam is open to individuals who either went through an accredited program or had two years of on-the-job training. NCCT will also welcome candidates who have seven years of work in the field. If you choose an NCCT certification, you will need to retake the exam every five years or gain enough continuing education hours to qualify.
Salaries and Advancement
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Surgical techs earned a median salary of $38,740 in 2008 with peak salaries above $54,300. The job remains in demand. In 2010, for each graduate, the market offers five job openings. Areas that pay more include specialty hospitals or outpatient care centers. Therefore, advancement comes with specializing in areas of surgery such as neurosurgery or cardiovascular interventions. A nice step up within the same type of surgeries is to become a surgical first assistant.
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