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Degrees and Schools
Accredited training programs in surgical technology can be found in many universities, community colleges, and vocational schools. Some programs are also offered in hospitals and by the military. Programs typically last anywhere from 9 to 24 months and can lead to a diploma, certificate, or associate degree. Program accreditation is conferred by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Classes
Almost every program offered in this field contains a combination of classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience. Typical coursework may include some of the following:
- health care essentials
- microbiology
- anatomy
- pharmacology
- surgical procedures
- patient care and safety
- physiology
- medical terminology
- surgical instrumentation
- professional ethics
Online Classes and Programs
Despite some misleading advertisements, a complete, self-contained, and fully accredited surgical technologist degree program conducted entirely online is difficult if not impossible to find. The reason for this is simple: the importance of hands-on clinical experience to any degree program makes it necessary for students to earn a large percentage of their credits onsite at an actual college or hospital. What is possible is to gain credits for classroom training online. This is especially valuable for licensed technologists needing continuing credits to maintain their licenses or for students already having significant work experience who can substitute their documented work experience for college credits. Students should keep in mind that the value of any online course is directly related to the quality and experience of the instructors who teach it.
Employment Requirements
Although voluntary, obtaining certification is an important step for job-seekers to take. Generally speaking, employers prefer job candidates who are certified technologists. Professional certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) can be earned by graduating from a CAAHEP or ABHES-accredited program and then passing a nationally-administered certifying exam. Those who do so become Certified Surgical Technologists (CST). Certification must be renewed every four years by accumulating continuing education credits.
Another industry certification is conferred by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Technologists who wish to take the qualifying exam must either be graduates from an accredited training program (or a 2-year hospital on-the-job training program) or have acquired seven years of experience working in the field. Passing the exam earns the recipient a Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) designation. This type of certification must be renewed every 5 years through either continuing education credits or re-examination.
How to Evaluate Schools
A high volume of colleges, universities, vocational schools, and other institutions offer formal surgical technology training. However, students should be aware that not every institution can provide them with the right program. Before committing to enrolling, students should seek answers to the following questions:
- Accreditation - Are the school's programs accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES? Does the accreditation satisfy the accreditation requirement for taking one of the certification exams?
- Strength of curriculum - Does the program curriculum contain a significant amount of hands-on training inside the operating room at a hospital or other surgical facility? Are courses in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, and medical terminology included in the curriculum?
- Faculty quality - Are the instructors certified technologists? Are they qualified to prepare students for the certification exam?
- Financial aid - Does the school have a financial aid staff? Do they offer assistance to students in exploring financial aid options available to them?
Surgical Technologist Job Description
A successful surgery requires a dedicated team of people working together efficiently inside an operating room. Obviously, surgeons and registered nurses are key players. But another worker who plays a very important role is a surgical technologist. This individual, who is sometimes referred to as an operating room technician, assists in surgical operations by performing valuable tasks before, during, and after the operation. Some technologists with advanced education are eligible to fulfill specialized roles such as surgical first assistant (a technologist who provides direct aid to the surgeon) or circulating technologist (a technologist who performs multiple special duties before and during surgery).
Some of the operating room duties that can be performed by surgical technologists include:
- preparing surgical equipment and medical instruments
- making sure that cloth and solutions are sterilized
- checking equipment and making necessary adjustments to ensure proper functioning
- interviewing patient before surgery
- helping with anesthesia
- preparing patient for surgery by washing, shaving, and disinfecting incision sites
- transporting patient to the operating room
- helping to position patient properly on the operating table
- covering patient with sterile drapes
- monitoring patients' vital signs
- assisting the surgical team in putting on sterile gloves and gowns
- passing instruments to surgeons
- keeping a written account of the surgery
- assisting in the application of dressings
- helping transfer patient to the recovery room
- cleaning and restocking the operating room when surgery is finished
To be a good surgical technologist, an individual needs a good deal of manual dexterity (to handle and pass medical instruments rapidly) and stamina (to withstand being on his/her feet for long periods). Technologists must also be alert, organized, and able to respond quickly. Most technologists work a standard 40-hour work week although some need to be available on an on-call basis for occasional additional hours.
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