Is Surgical Tech A Stressful Job?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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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.

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 work a lot?

Surgeries go on day and night, and depending on where you work you may need to be on-call or working night shifts and weekends.

Most surgical techs work full time

, which is great for earning a good salary, but it may mean working long shifts, of 12 hours or more, a few days a week.

Is surgical tech a hard job?

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.

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.

Who makes more nurses or surgical techs?

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.

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.

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.

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.

How much does a xray tech make?

Job Title Salary Alberta Health Services X-Ray Technician salaries – 21 salaries reported

$35/hr
Alberta Precision Laboratories X-Ray Technician salaries – 18 salaries reported $35/hr Shared Health (Canada) X-Ray Technician salaries – 7 salaries reported $30/hr

What do you study to be a surgical tech?

  • Pre-Operative Preparation.
  • Intra-Operative Procedures.
  • Post-Operative Procedures.
  • Administrative and Personnel.
  • Equipment Sterilization and Maintenance.
  • Anatomy and Physiology.
  • Advanced Principles of Microbiology.
  • Surgical Pharmacology and Anesthesia.

What’s the difference between surgical tech and assistant?

A surgical technologist is responsible for surgical equipment management and preparing the operating room. The surgical first assistant is more focused on assisting the surgeon during surgery. Depending on the facility, specific duties may be

interchangeable

between surgical first assistants and surgical technologists.

Do surgical techs do stitches?

Technologists also get patients ready for surgery by washing, shaving, and disinfecting incision sites. … During surgery, technologists pass instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons and surgical assistants. They

may hold retractors, cut sutures

, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

Where do surgical techs make the most money?

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 jobs can a surgical tech do?

  • Registered nurse. A surgical tech who enjoys working directly with patients might consider a career as a registered nurse. …
  • Veterinary technician. …
  • Medical sales representative. …
  • Operating room assistant.
James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.