You plan to make a career in healthcare. Ideally, in the operating room. The tactile, put-an-organ-in-my-hand nature of the work appeals to you. You have plenty of options though, and before you enroll in more education, you need more details about surgical technology.
Surgical technologists go by many titles: Surgical tech, surg tech, operating room technician or scrub tech. (Sometimes people mislabel the titles as surgical technician/surgical technicians, but the “tech” stands for technologist.)
But however you slice it, a certified surgical technologist is a licensed healthcare professional who works in operating rooms and protects sterile field.
You're probably here because you like the thought of working in this role—and of making a career in the operating room. But there are still some details to sort out. Will investing time and money in surgical technologist education be worth it once your career gets going?
People say this is a rewarding career, but will you enjoy it? Will it feel worthwhile to you? Will it pay off?
Keep reading to learn some facts that may help you answer your questions.
What does a surgical tech do—specifically?
No career is worthwhile if you hate every second of it. Seriously, stop now if you can’t stand the sight of blood or the smell of disinfectant. This is not a good career for anyone who gets queasy around viscera.
At a macro level, a surgical tech’s responsibilities cover a wide range of duties. Their duties include tasks to prep for surgery, tasks during the surgery and post-surgery tasks.
Surgical technologists prepare both the patient and the operating room (OR) for surgeries. Increasingly, they also prepare surgical robots for each procedure. Robots! They will drape the robot and the patient, ensure sterile equipment and manage all surgical supplies in the operating room before the operation begins.
They also help prepare patients by cleansing and disinfecting any incision areas.
During the surgery, the surgical technologist assists the surgeon by handing them surgical instruments at their request. They may help by holding organs in place or using retractors during the procedure. Once the surgery is complete, the surgical tech will help dress the wound and transfer the patient into a recovery room.
Surgical technologists work primarily in hospitals—71 percent worked in hospitals in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1 Other possible work environments include surgical centers, dental offices (for oral surgery), plastic surgery/reconstruction centers, and clinics that perform routine outpatient surgeries.
6 Benefits of becoming a surgical tech
How long does it take to become a surgical tech? What does the future look like for the field? And how much do surgical techs make? These are all logical considerations when contemplating this career path.
You’ll find all those answers and more below. We’ve laid out six compelling reasons to consider a career as a surgical technologist.
1. You can enter the field quickly
Many healthcare careers require several years of schooling before being qualified to start working. Fortunately, this isn’t the case for surgical techs. Most employers require a postsecondary certificate or associate’s degree to work in this position, according to the BLS.1
Surgical tech programs vary in length, but most allow students to graduate within two years. The Rasmussen University Surgical Technology program, for example, can be completed in as few as 21 months.2 This means you could be scrubbing in for your first surgery in less than two years.
2. Job opportunities are on the rise
Stagnant or declining employment opportunities aren’t something you’ll have to worry about while pursuing a career as a surgical tech. The BLS projects employment in this field to grow at the rate of 5 percent from 2022 through 2032 (a rate faster than the national average for all occupations).1
But what’s the reason behind the growth? Advancements in surgical technology have improved the safety of procedures, which means they are being performed more frequently. The BLS also attributes this growth to the aging baby boomer generation. This population is expected to require more attention from healthcare professionals in coming years, resulting in an uptick in surgical procedures.
3. Employment opportunities exist in all geographic areas
You’ve already learned that a majority of surgical techs are employed in hospitals. Hospitals are located in virtually every area across the country, and every hospital has surgeons who perform procedures with the help of surgical techs. This means there are employment opportunities country-wide.
This means you won’t have to relocate to a specific region just to find a job. Whether you want to work in a big city or a rural area, on the east coast, the west coast or anywhere in between, you’ll have employment opportunities available as a surgical tech.
4. You really won’t get bored
If you’re the type of person who gets jaded sitting at a desk and performing the same tasks day after day, you’ll be relieved to hear that is a far cry from reality for a surgical tech. This position will keep you on the move all day long.
No two days are the same for a surgical tech, either. Even for those who specialize in assisting for a specific type of surgery, each patient and procedure will vary from the next. Surgeries do not always go by the book, either, which means you’ll need to stay on your toes and be prepared for whatever happens. These high-pressure scenarios make for an exciting career.
The operating room can be a demanding environment where tensions run high. If you thrive under pressure or enjoy the higher intensity of working on a team where nothing can go wrong, surgical technology might be perfect for you.
5. Even the education is very hands-on
Surgical technologists get to work with their hands for most of the job. Unlike professionals from many other medical professions, surgical techs don't spend much time doing paperwork, updating data systems or documenting patient interactions. This role is all about creating sterile field, handling instruments, and doing the physical work of surgery prep, process and cleanup.
The educational requirements and training in surgical tech programs really reflects that. Instead of sitting in a lecture hall, you'll be in a lab, learning the procedure for hundreds of different operations.
6. You’ll make a difference every day
Earning a decent paycheck is important, but you also want to make a difference when you clock into work each day. Lucky for you, a surgical tech career comes with a high level of satisfaction and greater meaning. How fulfilling is it to know you’re helping improve patients’ lives during each and every shift?
If you work in a hospital, you might work on urgent surgeries where the patient's life is in immediate risk and where success could mean saving them from the jaws of death. But outpatient surgery centers can also be a hugely satisfying workplace, since the operations help patients regain mobility, health and happiness. Surgical technologists can work in oral surgery centers and plastic surgery facilities as well--where their work contributes to patient happiness and wellbeing.
Can you see yourself becoming a surgical tech?
So, is becoming a surgical tech worth it? The choice is ultimately yours. But if you’re looking for an exciting and rewarding way to fill a gap in the healthcare field, this could be the career you’ve been seeking.
If becoming a surgical tech interests you, learn more about the path ahead. Check out 9 Things You Should Know About Surgical Technologist Programs to get a real picture of how surgical technologists get to their first job.
Related Articles:
- A Peek Behind the Curtain: What Are Surgical Tech Clinicals Really Like?
- What is the Surgical Tech Career Path? From Start to Advancement
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm#tab-6. (accessed November 2023).
2Time to completion is dependent on the number of transfer credits accepted and courses completed each term.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published in September 2014. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2024.
