How to Become a Surgical Technician
A surgical technician, sometimes called a surgical technologist, is a health professional who prepares the equipment in the operating room, helps nurses and surgeons with sterilization of equipment and offers minor assistance to the surgeon during surgical procedures (such as handing equipment to the surgeon). The path to becoming a surgical technician usually involves at least 2 years of training at a college or vocational school.
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Instructions
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Find a surgical technologist training program that is accredited by either CAAHEP or ABHES. Community colleges or vocational training schools are a good place to look. You can also search for an accredited program on the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) website (see Resources below).
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Take any necessary prerequisites and then apply to the program of your choice. The length of most surgical technician educational programs is between 9 months and 2 years. Most programs that will qualify you for certification will be on the longer end of that span.
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Complete your chosen surgical technologist training program. Your study will include both theoretical and clinical training.
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Check with your state board of health. You may be able to seek employment after completing your training, or certification may be an absolute requirement in your state in order to work as a surgical technician.
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Register for the certification exam with the NBSTSA. The NBSTSA website has study materials and information on how to apply for the exam (see Resources below).
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Pass the certification exam and submit any paperwork required by your state board of health in order to seek employment as a surgical technician.
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Renew your certification with NBSTSA every 4 years. This will involve either submitting proof of continuing education hours or retaking the certification exam.
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Tips & Warnings
Certification is not always required for surgical technicians, and sometimes shorter educational paths may exist, but most employers will prefer a certified surgical technologist, and thus it is wise to choose an educational path that will lead to eligibility for certification.
Surgical technicians are present in the operating room during surgeries, so anyone considering a career in this field must be comfortable with the sight of blood and internal organs.
