Surgical Technologist

Job Description:

Surgical technicians are members of operating-room teams, assisting surgeons, nurses, and other surgical team members during operations. Duties include preparing the operating room (setting up surgical equipment, such as sterile instruments and solutions), checking equipment to ensure it is working properly, and prepping patients for surgery (washing, shaving, and disinfecting areas on patients where incisions will take place.) During surgery, technicians will pass instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeon's assistants, as well as monitor patients' vital signs, help dress wounds, and sometimes help operate sterilizers or diagnostic equipment.

Work Environment:

Most surgical technicians work 40-hour weeks, although hours/shifts may vary as hospitals function round-the clock. Technicians may be on call or work nights, weekends, or holidays, depending on need.

Technicians work in clean, well-lit, sanitary environments. They are required to stay on their feet for long periods of time, and attention to details and the ability to follow instructions are at a premium.

Education and Training Requirements:

Employers prefer to hire properly trained and certified technicians. There are formal training programs offered in community and junior colleges, vocational schools, and universities, as well as in hospitals and in the military. A high school diploma is required for admission to such a program. Programs last nine to 24 months and lead to a certificate, diploma or associate's degree.

After completing formal programs, technicians can advance their careers by specializing in a particular area of surgery, or working as a circulating technician, the member of a surgical team who runs the gamut of responsibilities during operations, from patient prep and interviews, to assisting with anesthesia and answering the doctor's questions about the patient during surgery.

Salary Range:

Median annual earnings of surgical technologists were $31,210 in 2002. This includes median salaries of technicians working in physicians' offices ($33,790) and those practicing in general medical/surgical hospitals ($30,590). Technicians earned as much as $43,470 and as little as $21,920.

Most veterinary technician professionals receive annual earnings of $20,641 - $41,603. Meanwhile, those who have pursued continuing studies program, and acquired relevant trainings usually earn more than $41,772.

Job Outlook:

Generally good. The number of surgical procedures is expected to rise as the population ages. People over 50 years of age generally require more surgical procedures, and as the baby boomer generation gets older, the amount of older patients will make up a larger portion of the population. Also, technological advances in fiber optics and laser technology will allow for new surgical procedures to be performed, and technicians will be in need to assist with these new procedures.

Alabama Schools
	(Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile) - Surgical Technology

Arizona Schools
Lamson College	(Tempe) - Surgical Technologist
	(Phoenix, Tempe) - Surgical Technologist

Surgical Tech Schools in California
	(Hayward, Reseda) - Surgical Technologist
	(Sacramento) - Surgical Technologist
	(Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, Rancho Cordova, Rancho Cucamonga, Visalia) - Surgical Technology

Colorado Schools
	(North Kansas City, Pueblo) - Surgical Technology
	(Aurora) - Surgical Technologist
	(Thornton) - Surgical Technologist

Florida Surgical Technician Schools
	(Orlando, Tampa Bay) - Surgical Technologist - Operating Room Scrub
Everest University*	(Brandon/Tampa, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Melbourne, Orange Park, North Orlando, Pinellas, Pompano Beach, South Orlando, Tampa) - Surgical Technologist
	(Orlando) - Surgical Technologist
	(Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Kendall, Lakeland, Melbourne, Orlando, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Lucie, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, West Palm Beach) - Surgical Technology
	(Hialeah, Kendall, Miami) - Surgical Technologist
North Florida Institute	(Orange Park) - Surgical Technology
	Tampa, Ft Lauderdale, Jacksonville) - Surgical Technology
Southwest Florida College*	(Fort Meyers, Tampa) - Surgical Technician
	(Pensacola) - Surgical Technology

Georgia Schools
	(Atlanta-Downtown, Dekalb, Jonesboro, Marietta, Norcross) - Surgical Technologist
	(Atlanta) - Surgical Technologist

Indiana Schools
	(Merrillville) - Surgical Technologist

Minnesota Schools
	(St. Louis Park) - Surgical Technologist

Mississippi Schools
	(Jackson) - Surgical Technology

Missouri Schools
	(North Kansas City) - Surgical Technology
	(Fenton, St. Charles, Hazelwood) - Surgical Technology
	(Maryland Heights) - Surgical Technology
	(Kansas City) - Surgical Technology

Nevada Schools
	(Las Vegas) - Surgical Technologist

New Jersey Schools
	(Iselin) - Surgical Technology
	(North Brunswick) - Surgical Technology

Surgical Tech Schools in New York
	(Garden City, New York, White Plains) - Non-Invasive Cardiovascular & Surgical Technology

Oregon Schools
	(Beaverton) - Surgical Technologist

Pennsylvania Schools
	* (Broomall, Southampton) - Surgical Technician
	(Philadelphia) - Non-Invasive Cardiovascular & Surgical Technology

Texas Surgical Technician Schools
	(Austin, Houston North Loop, Houston Southwest) - Surgical Technologist
	(Brownsville, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Fort Worth) - Surgical Technician
	(Irving) - Surgical Technologist
	(Dallas, Houston) - Surgical Technology
	(Austin) - Surgical Technology

Utah Schools
	(Salt Lake City) - Surgical Technologist

Wisconsin Schools
	(Brookfield) - Surgical Technologist

*Program Availability Varies By Location and Often Changes. To get the most up-to-date information, use the links we provide to request additional information from a local campus representative.

* DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University operates as DeVry Institute of Technology in Calgary, Alberta. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. AC0060. DeVry University is authorized for operation by the THEC. www.state.tn.us/thec. Nashville Campus - 3343 Perimeter Hill Dr., Nashville, TN 37211 Program availability varies by location.©2010 DeVry Educational Development Corp. All rights reserved