Becoming a surgical tech
isn’t nearly as difficult
as becoming a doctor, but you can’t exactly waltz straight from high school into the OR, either. Be prepared to get a certificate or degree, pass muster in an internship and earn some credentials. The right skills will help, as well.
Is being a surgical tech stressful?
A surgical technician job
can be a stressful and physically
demanding job for a number of reasons: Long working hours. Physical demands. May need to be on-call, or work night shifts and weekends.
Do surgical techs make good money?
Surgical Technologists made a median salary of $48,300 in 2019. The
best-paid 25 percent made $59,320
that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $39,760. How Much Do Surgical Technologists Make in Your City?
How many hours a week does a surgical tech work?
Most Surgical Technologists work a regular
40-hour week
, although they may be on-call or work nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis. In addition, they may be required to work a variety of shifts, as operations may be conducted at any time of the day or night.
Are surgical techs happy?
As it turns out, surgical technologists
rate their career happiness 3.0 out of 5 stars
which puts them in the bottom 33% of careers.
Do surgical techs make more than nurses?
In addition,
RNs earn higher salaries on average than surgical techs
. According to the BLS, registered nurses on average earned more than $71,000 per year in 2018, compared with $47,000 per year for surgical techs.
Is surgical tech in demand?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that between 2018 and 2028, employment opportunities for surgical technologists will grow at a
faster-than-average rate of nine percent
. This increased demand is expected to create nearly 10,000 new surgical tech positions over a ten-year timeframe.
How many hours does a surgical tech work a day?
The vast majority of surgical techs work in hospitals or private clinics and usually work full-time. While most workweeks are often around 40 hours,
shifts may go longer than 8 hours
or be scheduled on nights, weekends, or holidays. A career as a surgical technologist is not for the squeamish.
Do surgical techs work everyday?
Every tech may have a slightly different experience, but a typical day or shift is
similar across jobs
. Most surgical technologists work in hospitals, but some work in physician offices or outpatient surgery centers. They may work shifts that are eight hours or longer.
How long do surgical techs stand for?
Surgical technologists receive their training in programs offered by community and junior colleges, vocational schools, universities, hospitals and the military. A program can take from
12 months (for a certificate) to two years (for an associate degree)
to complete.
Can you move up from surgical tech?
Surgical technologists may choose to advance to other healthcare occupations
, such as registered nurse. Advancement to other healthcare occupations would usually require additional education, training, and/or certifications or licenses.
Is it worth becoming a surgical tech?
One of the best benefits of getting into a career in nearly any area of healthcare is that job growth is strong. … The growth in surgical technology jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
is 9 percent
, faster than average job growth and amounting to thousands of new positions in the ten years to 2028.
What are the pros and cons of being a surgical technician?
- Pro: Growth in Jobs is Strong. …
- Pro: Enjoy a Good Salary as a Surgical Tech. …
- Pro: Minimal Education Requirements. …
- Con: The Work is Physically Demanding. …
- Con: Hours Can Be Long and Include On-Call Time. …
- Pro: Surgical Technologists Have Room for Advancement. …
- Pro: Making a Difference for People Every Day.
What is the highest paid Surgical Tech?
The states and districts that pay Surgical Technologists the highest mean salary are
Alaska ($67,660)
, Nevada ($64,050), California ($62,510), District of Columbia ($60,740), and Minnesota ($60,090).
What’s the next step after surgical tech?
If you’re interested in moving up the surgical tech career ladder, you might advance to being
a surgical assistant
(which can happen after on-the-job training or additional education). Advancement to administration is another possibility, which includes managing surgical teams.
What’s the difference between a surgical tech and a scrub tech?
Function. Surgical nurses are registered nurses who specialize in providing care to patients in operating rooms. … Surgical techs, sometimes referred to as scrubs,
prepare the operating room, tools and equipment for the procedure
, with emphasis on maintaining a sterile environment, before, during and after the procedure.
