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Dylia
Student
Bangkok, Thailand
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How long does it take to become a surgical technologist?
Could you tell me the steps to becoming a surgical technologist?
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Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
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California, CA
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Doc’s Answer
After high school, enroll in a postsecondary surgical technology program at your local community college, university or vocational school. Generally, these programs award students a clinical associate degree, certificate or diploma. Depending on your program choice, it may take between 12 and 24 months to complete. When researching degree programs, seek ones with accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), which meet industry standards to allow you to pursue certifications after graduating. Many surgical tech programs combine classroom learning with hands-on experience in a clinical setting. During your training, you learn about surgical operations, procedures and surgical tools and their use.
Surgical technologists work in hospital operating rooms, outpatient centers, and doctors’ offices. You'll spend much of your working day in the operating room, preparing for, assisting with, and cleaning up after surgeries. Surgical technologists typically work full-time, which may include nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call. The work of a surgical technologist is incredibly important to ensure a sterile and well-organized environment in the operating room. You'll need to make sure that all tools are present for the surgery, and accounted for after the surgery is done. Attention to detail is essential to success in this role, and errors could be life threatening. Surgical technologists must work well under pressure and have great communication skills.
Hope this was helpful Dylia
Surgical technologists work in hospital operating rooms, outpatient centers, and doctors’ offices. You'll spend much of your working day in the operating room, preparing for, assisting with, and cleaning up after surgeries. Surgical technologists typically work full-time, which may include nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call. The work of a surgical technologist is incredibly important to ensure a sterile and well-organized environment in the operating room. You'll need to make sure that all tools are present for the surgery, and accounted for after the surgery is done. Attention to detail is essential to success in this role, and errors could be life threatening. Surgical technologists must work well under pressure and have great communication skills.
Hope this was helpful Dylia
Thank you for taking time to reply. It's really helpful.
Dylia
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Dylia,
Interested in becoming a surgical technologist? The process typically spans around 2 years. Here's a quick guide to help you map out your journey:
1. Obtain a High School Diploma or Equivalent: This is the first step towards your career in surgical technology. Courses in health, biology, and chemistry during high school could be beneficial.
2. Enroll in a Surgical Technology Program: Look for programs that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). These programs usually last for 2 years and provide a certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree upon completion. They cover subjects like anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and pharmacology, and also include clinical experience.
3. Get Certified: While not mandatory, a certification can give you an edge in the job market. The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) provides the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential. To be eligible, you need to graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited program and pass an exam. Remember, this certification needs to be kept current through continuing education.
4. Acquire Licensure: Depending on your state, you might need a license to practice as a surgical technologist. The requirements often include graduation from an accredited program and certification.
Bear in mind that these steps can vary depending on your state and institution, so make sure to research the specific requirements in your area.
May you be blessed in your journey!
James Constantine.
Interested in becoming a surgical technologist? The process typically spans around 2 years. Here's a quick guide to help you map out your journey:
1. Obtain a High School Diploma or Equivalent: This is the first step towards your career in surgical technology. Courses in health, biology, and chemistry during high school could be beneficial.
2. Enroll in a Surgical Technology Program: Look for programs that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). These programs usually last for 2 years and provide a certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree upon completion. They cover subjects like anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and pharmacology, and also include clinical experience.
3. Get Certified: While not mandatory, a certification can give you an edge in the job market. The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) provides the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential. To be eligible, you need to graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited program and pass an exam. Remember, this certification needs to be kept current through continuing education.
4. Acquire Licensure: Depending on your state, you might need a license to practice as a surgical technologist. The requirements often include graduation from an accredited program and certification.
Bear in mind that these steps can vary depending on your state and institution, so make sure to research the specific requirements in your area.
May you be blessed in your journey!
James Constantine.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Dylia
Junied Jamil
I am a writer.
21
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Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
Updated
Junied’s Answer
Becoming a surgical technologist typically requires completing a formal education program, which can vary in length depending on the type of program you choose:
Diploma or Certificate Programs: Some surgical technologist programs offer diploma or certificate options, which can typically be completed in about 9 months to 1 year. These programs focus specifically on surgical technology coursework and clinical training.
Associate's Degree Programs: Many aspiring surgical technologists opt for an associate's degree program, which typically takes around 2 years to complete. These programs include a combination of general education courses, surgical technology coursework, and hands-on clinical experience.
After completing your education program, you may also need to obtain certification, which can vary by state but is often required or preferred by employers. Certification typically involves passing an exam, such as the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
In summary, the length of time it takes to become a surgical technologist can range from about 9 months to 2 years, depending on the type of education program you choose.
Diploma or Certificate Programs: Some surgical technologist programs offer diploma or certificate options, which can typically be completed in about 9 months to 1 year. These programs focus specifically on surgical technology coursework and clinical training.
Associate's Degree Programs: Many aspiring surgical technologists opt for an associate's degree program, which typically takes around 2 years to complete. These programs include a combination of general education courses, surgical technology coursework, and hands-on clinical experience.
After completing your education program, you may also need to obtain certification, which can vary by state but is often required or preferred by employers. Certification typically involves passing an exam, such as the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
In summary, the length of time it takes to become a surgical technologist can range from about 9 months to 2 years, depending on the type of education program you choose.
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Dylia