Surgical Tech Salary and Career Opportunities in the US

Surgical technologists (also known as operating room technicians and scrub techs) work alongside surgeons and nurses in the operating room. Surgical technologists are a crucial part of a surgical team where you serve as the custodian of the operating room. It is your job to keep the operating room sterile and organized and account for all equipment and tools used. The majority of these allied health professionals (70%) work in hospitals, but certified surgical techs may find positions in clinics, outpatient surgical centers, and private practices.

Surgical Technologist Job Description and Responsibilities

Surgical technologist provides assistance in preparation for surgical procedures utilizing aseptic technique. During an operation, the surgical tech's duty is to pass tools to the surgeon and senior assistants as needed. Sample responsibilities for this position include:

• Assisting in the care, preparation and maintenance of supplies and equipment in the Operating Room.
• Open sterile equipment for surgeons, follow safety standards and protocols.
• Select and set up sterile table with instruments, supplies and equipment.
• Conducting pre-op, intra-op and post-op surgical counts according to AORN standards.
• Maintaining the integrity of the surgical field during procedures.
• Ensures appropriate and safe use of equipment and instrumentation prior, during and post-operatively.
• Perform safe positioning using population-specific guidelines and basic equipment operation for the patient.

Salary and Career Outlook

Most people choose a career that can provide a lucrative income, and they won’t be disappointed by average surgical tech salaries. Seventy-five percent of surgical techs earned a healthy average salary of between $33,000 and $58,000. Given the nature of the work – which sometimes requires long hours – overtime may also be an option, especially if you work at a hospital. Due to the ever-growing surgical tech career ladder, you can expect your salary to continue to grow over time.

With constant, continuous advances in surgical technology – and a rising demand for surgery – surgical tech job outlook is looking great. Continued growth and developments in specialized branches of medicine also mean a rising demand and plenty of surgical tech advancement.

Education, Qualifications, and Certifications

Surgical technologist training programs typically range from around one to two years. Surgical tech programs require a high school diploma (or GED) for entry, and program tuition costs can range from $6,000 to more than $25,000. For two-year surgical tech programs, you’d be granted an associate degree upon graduation. Employers hiring for the surgical technologist job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as:

• Associate Degree in Surgical Technology
• High School Degree in Technical Surgical Technology
• CST (Certified Surgical Technologist)

Many employers will require you to be certified or licensed to qualify for the job. Licensing or Certifications for Surgical Technologist may include: BLS, CPR, NBSTSA, NCCT, CST, and AST. Candidates should also possess medical knowledge in areas such as Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, and Pharmacology.

Essential Skills for Success

A surgical technologist's core function is to maintain sterility as much as possible in the operating room. Desired skills for surgical technologist include mastery of universal precautions and personal protective devices. Successful professionals in this field have experience in achieving high accuracy rates in surgical instruments inventory management and maintaining zero incident rates within orthopedic, plastic, and general surgery departments.