The Healthcare Navigator Resource Guide

According to the California Employment Development Department (EDD) - Labor Market Information Division (LMID), Surgical Technologists,

EDD-LMID indicates that Surgical Technologists may transport patients to the operating room environment and may assist with shaving and bathing patients in preparation for surgery. In many Silicon Valley surgical environments, surgical nurses clean and shave patients and transport them to the surgical environment--this often occurs so that the nurse can provide information and comfort to the patient. Overall, Surgical Technologists have minimal interaction with patients while the patient is conscious.

Though little State or Federal regulation is currently in place, the best practices for Surgical Technologists as defined by the Association of Surgical Technologists, can be viewed here.

According to the individuals surveyed, the skills required to successfully perform the work of Surgical Technologist include the ability to: communicate effectively with health professionals; follow technical instructions quickly; work precisely and accurately; work as a team member (must be able to accept constructive criticism and direct orders); and perform well under stress and/or in emergency situations.

Demand for qualified Surgical Technologists has been steady for the last decade and is expected to increase in the next five years due to the rising numbers of surgical procedures.

Most Surgical Technologists enjoy watching surgeries, and participating in surgery is exciting for many individuals in the field.

The operative environment is fast-paced, high stakes, high stress, and always changing–several individuals indicated that it is impossible to be bored.

There are relatively few political issues driving the Surgical Technology profession–the most significant is the lack of a State-mandated credential.

Surgical Technologists work in a clean and well-lighted environment.

Though Surgical Technologists help critically-ill patients, Surgical Technologists do not often form strong relationships with the patients they serve due to the nature of their work.

Many Surgical Technologists eventually pursue careers in nursing, respiratory therapy, or diagnostic imaging. Surgical Technologist is considered to be an excellent occupation for individuals interested in a career ladder model.

Surgical Technologists may develop synchrony with a surgical team or a particular surgeon, and anticipating the needs of the team and surgeon may be a source of pride for the Surgical Technologist.

Surgical Technologists work with large volumes of blood in an enclosed area and may also hold internal organs during an operation. It is imperative that individuals considering a career in Surgical Technology be comfortable with the sight of blood and serious injury.

A percentage of patients expire during surgical procedures–Surgical Technologists must be psychologically mature.

Surgical Technologists must be assertive and should have excellent communication skills as there may be conflicting personalities in the operating room environment, and Surgical Technologists function exclusively in an assistant role.

The salary band for Surgical Technologists generally caps at $30/hr.

The work requires a substantial amount of standing and strict attention to proper surgical procedures. At times, the work can be very stressful.

Individuals with chronic contagious illnesses are advised against pursuing Surgical Technology training. Though precautions are taken to prevent exposure to communicable disease, needle sticks and cuts occur due to the frequency with which Surgical Technologists handle sharp instruments and the exchange of any fluids could jeapordize the health of the patient and the Surgical Technologist.

Although a 40-hour, five-day work week is normal for Technologists, the majority of Surgical Technologists are required at times to be on-call, available to work on short notice, and be able to work overtime as needed to finish scheduled cases.

The Surgical Technology field is relatively small. According to EDD-LMID, an estimated 8,510 individuals worked in Surgical Technology in 2005.

Though the occupation is small, there appears to be a consistent need for qualified Surgical Technologists in the Bay Area. Population growth, increased lifespan and a shortage of operating room nurses have contributed to higher demand for Surgical Technologists, and the growing complexity of the procedures requires that more staff be involved in surgery. Some hospitals assign Surgical Technologists a greater number of operating room tasks due to cost containment efforts. Because California regulations governing the Surgical Technologist scope of practice are not considered to be rigid, Surgical Technologists are performing more highly skilled tasks under the supervision of operating room nurses. Additionally, as efforts to control health care costs escalate further, a shift toward performing minor surgery on an outpatient basis should contribute to a further need for Surgical Technologists.

Graduates of formal Surgical Technologist training programs who are certified by the Liaison Council on Certification of Surgical Technologists (LCCST) will have the best opportunities for employment in the field. Those without this important credential can expect to experience increased difficulty finding job. Employers surveyed indicated they strongly prefer to hire community college prepared Surgical Technologists.

New graduates can expect to earn $18-$25/hr plus benefits. Wages increase incrementally with experience, but few Surgical Technologist earn more than $28/hr regardless of experience. Click here to see the wage survey for Santa Clara County and here for San Mateo County.

Community college programs generally have a certificate component and an associate's degree track. Though an associate's degree is desirable, individuals who have completed a community college certificate program should be able to find employment with the certificate and then return for the associate degree component if desired. The only community college training program in the area is located at Skyline College.

Surgical Technology students receive in-class training and supervised clinical experience through internships. Prerequisite or concurrent coursework in anatomy, physiology, and microbiology is standard. Other theory courses address issues of patient safety, anesthesia, and nursing procedures. Laboratory courses provide students with hands-on experience in the areas of instrument sterilization, infection control, supply inventory and equipment usage.

Upon graduation from a CAAHEP or BHES training program, students are eligible to apply for certification by the LCCST. The LCCST certifies Surgical Technologists who pass a comprehensive written examination. All Certified Surgical Technologists (CST) who have renewed their credential or who have passed the certification examination for the first time since January 1, 2003 are certified for four years. These CSTs must earn 60 continuing education (CE) credits during their 4-year cycle in order to renew their certification. Continuing education credits can be earned by attending seminars, conferences, home-study, vocational classes, or by retaking the certification exam. Surgical Technologists are advised to become members of the Association of Surgical Technologists. As a member, the association will process the application for recertification without charge. The association also offers continuing education classes and has information on other classes or conferences.

Note: California regulations do not stipulate that Surgical Technologists must complete an approved training program to practice in the field. However, employers are unwillingly to hire individuals who have not completed formal training and are new to the Surgical Technology field. It would be extremely unwise for an individual to pursue employment without completing a training program and obtaining certification from LCCST.

Many Surgical Technologists choose to pursue careers in nursing after working for several years in the Surgery Technology field due to the higher earning potential, increased patient interaction, and broader scope of practice the nursing field provides. Some individuals may pursue a career in diagnostic imaging or respiratory therapy after working as a Surgical Technologist for several years. It is likely that individuals could work part-time as a Surgical Technologist while pursuing further education.

Graduates of community college Surgical Technology training programs will likely find career ladder advancement easier as some units earned in the Surgical Technology program will transfer to nursing or other allied health care programs at the community college level. Because most Surgical Technology training programs at vocational colleges are condensed and the accrediting institutions are not necessarily the same, it is likely that many credits earned in a vocational college Surgical Technology program would not transfer to a community college nursing program.

Individuals with Surgical Technology experience who become nurses may be highly desirable in the surgical environment.