Surgical Tech Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you're a working Surgical Tech, Surgical Tech Student, Surgical Tech Educator (to include instructors, directors, coordinators, mentors, trainers, and surgical tech consultants), or Just Thinking About becoming a Surgical Tech you know there are questions on your mind.
If you have a question you'd like to askclick here: Surgical Tech Question?
If you want to know even more about the various aspects of being a surgical tech, take a look at the complete Surgical Tech SuccessPackage.
How long does it take to become a surgicaltech?
Do I need previous college credits before I go to Surgical Tech School?
How soon can one begin working as a traveling surgical tech after school?
Do you need to complete a certain amount of cases to work as a traveling tech?
You spoke in your handbook about First Assistants in theOR,
How does a surgical tech become a First Assistant?
What type of training is there for it?
What type of certification?
I'min my 40's and thinking about surgical tech school, am I too old?
How long does it take to become a surgicaltech?
Surgical Tech programs can vary in length from a few months to 2 years. To get a good idea of how the length of surgical tech programs vary, take a look at the Surgical Tech Schools page. Scroll down through the schools and look at the "Type & Length of Program" under each school listing. top of page
Do I need previous college credits before I go to Surgical Tech School?
It all depends on the Surgical Tech school or program you are interested in. Sometimes a surgical tech school will require a list of prerequisites prior to starting the actual surgical tech program, usually basicScience and/or Math & English classes. But on the other hand, many surgical tech schools will only require an entrance or placement exam prior to being accepted to the surgical tech program. AND, there are also surgical tech programs that only require a completed admissions application. Check with the surgical tech school or visit the program's website for a list of admission requirements. top of page
How soon can one begin working as a traveling surgical tech after school?
Travel companies who recruit surgical tech's usually require 1 year of work experience as a Surgical Tech. Another common requirement to work as a traveling surgical tech is certification. Most healthcare travel agencies require you to be nationally certified simply due to the fact that more and more hospitals are requiring surgical techs to be nationally certified as a pre-employment requisite. Some states even require surgical techs to be nationally certified in order to work in that particular state. top of page
Do you need to complete a certain amount of cases to work as a traveling tech?
The TYPE's of cases you can scrub will probably be more important than the amount of cases you have scrubbed. Once you get a year of experience and are very proficient in a service or specialty that is in high demand for traveler's, (high demand specialties include Orthopedics, CardioVascular, Neuro, and Eyes just to name afew), you may have the opportunity to work all over the country. top of page
You spoke in your handbook about First Assistants in theOR.
~How does a surgical tech become a First Assistant?
~What type of training is there for it?
~What type of certification?
One way to become a First Assistant is to become a Surgical Tech and then apply to a First Assistant program. You'll have to complete specific requirements before you can become a Certified First Assistant. However, becoming a Surgical Tech first is not the only way to become a First Assistant. You canalso become a Surgical Assistant by going to a Surgical Assistant School (often offered at Medical or PAschools).
Visit any of the sites below for more info on First Assistants:
National Surgical Assistant Association
www.nsaa.net
NIFA - National Institute of First Assisting
www.surgicalassisting.comor www.firstassisting.com
Surgical Assistant - CAAHEP Accredited Program Search
www.caahep.org
Eastern Virginia Medical School
www.evms.edu
I'min my 40's and thinking about surgical tech school, am I too old?
No, you are not too old! There are plenty of individuals out there intheir 30's, 40's, & 50's who have gone through a surgical tech program andare doing very well. Many of these people were looking for a second career orjust a second income for the household. top of page
I'm a constructionworker in my early 50's and want to get into a career that is less physicaland still earn a good living. Do you think Surgical Technology is right for me?
Surgical tech's come from all walks of life and backgrounds, i.e.construction workers, legal professionals, housewives, high school grads,computer techs, military, police officers, and many others. Also, working as asurgical tech can be physical at times, maybe not quite as physical as aconstruction worker, but you will have to lift instrument trays, stand on yourfeet for prolonged periods, hold retractors, and move operating room equipmentaround. top of page
If you have a question you'd like to ask click here: Surgical Tech Question?
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