Surgical Technician Careers

Surgical technician careers are spent in the operating room. Techs help surgical teams prepare for surgical procedures, equipping operating rooms with necessary sterile surgical equipment and transporting and prepping patients for operation, evening positioning them on the surgical table.

Surgical Tech Salaries

Salaries for Surgical Technologists vary, depending on where you live and where you work. The average salary for a typical Surgical Technologist in the US ranged from $34,010 in 2004, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a low of $23,940 and a high of $45,990. In general, Surgical Technologists working in medical and surgical hospitals earned $33,140, while those working in physicians' and dentists' offices earned $36,570 to $37,510.

Surgical Technologies jobs are more popular than ever, thanks to the NBC-TV program, "Scrubs." Also known as Surgical Technicians, they held about 84,000 jobs in 2004. Most worked a regular 40-hour week in:

• Hospitals
• Delivery rooms
• Physician offices
• Dentist offices
• Outpatient care centers, including ambulatory surgical centers.

Surgical Tech Jobs (OR) Surgical Tech Careers

The Surgical Technologist jobs outlook is strong and expected to grow much faster than average (27% or more) through 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as the volume of surgical procedures rises and the population ages, especially the baby boom generation.

Surgical technicians also are often present during surgery, ensuring that equipment remains sterile and operational. They also pass instruments to the surgeon and his or her assistants, as necessary.

Career Prerequisites - Surgical Technician

An associate's degree is generally required for surgical technician careers. Currently, there are more than 360 surgical technician training programs recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Common areas of study at accredited surgical technician schools include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, and medical ethics. Certification as surgical technician is voluntary, but recommended. Candidates for certification must graduate from an accredited surgical technician program and pass an examination. Most employers prefer to hire certified technicians.

Salary Forecast - Surgical Technician

Average annual earnings for surgical technicians are around $32,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job placement prospects are also good. Advancements in medical technology are increasing the number of surgical procedures and demand for certified surgical technicians. Additionally, surgical technicians are now performing jobs that were previously the province of registered nurses. Surgical technician careers are a real area to consider if you want to work in the health industry.