Essential Information
Prerequisites for surgical tech certificate programs can vary. In general, applicants must have either a high school diploma or a GED certificate, and submit a statement of purpose. Some community colleges require students to have credits in microbiology and human anatomy and physiology before being considered for admission.
The classes for a surgical tech certificate focus on all aspects of pre- and post-surgical procedures and assisting protocol during surgical procedures. Some surgical tech programs can be completed in roughly one year.
Surgical Technician Certificate
A Certificate in Surgical Technology program can prepare students for certification. Students will learn how to prepare a patient for surgery, supervise surgical assistance in a health care facility, and clean and sterilize equipment. Coursework for this certificate may include the following:
- Medical terminology
- Microbiology
- Fundamentals of surgical assisting
- Common surgical procedures
- Pharmacology
- English composition
- General biology
Job Outlook and Salary Information
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of surgical technologists is predicted to increase by 7% during the 2019-2029 period. Many new surgical procedures are being developed, and surgical technologists will be needed to assist surgeons and other key operating personnel. An increase in the elderly population and their need for surgical procedures will also contribute to a need for surgical technologists. The BLS reported that the annual median salary for a surgical technologist, as of May 2019, was $48,300.
Continuing Education Information
In order for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) designation to be awarded, a graduate of a surgical tech program must successfully pass a certifying exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Eligibility is determined by program accreditation. Only graduates who have completed surgical tech programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) are eligible to sit for the exam. Surgical techs who pass the exam are certified for four years. In order to keep the certification valid, 60 credits of continuing education courses must be completed.
Prospective surgical technologists typically enroll in a certificate program, where they take part in both classroom and practical training, then follow that up by earning certification. Job growth in this field should be much faster than average in the coming decade.
