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Is Surgical Tech the Right Job for You?

When you were a kid and people asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up, what did you say? Did you want to help people? Maybe you wanted to be a hero in some way. Or maybe you were focused on earning a good salary. You can fulfill those childhood dreams by becoming a surgical tech.

What Does a Surgical Tech Do?

As the title implies, people who work in this field have duties related to surgical procedures. The short answer is that surgical techs assist surgeons and other medical professionals in hospital operating rooms and similar environments. It’s an important role; surgical techs are key members of operating room teams. Their work is necessary to allow surgeries to proceed.

This breaks down into specific tasks before, during, and after surgery. Duties before surgery include preparing the OR and placing sterile drapes around the patient. During surgery, the surgical tech passes instruments to the surgeon and assists with various tasks, including retracting the incision, keeping track of surgical items, and being prepared for any emergencies that may arise. The job doesn’t end there. After surgery, the surgical tech applies bandages and assists in removing the patient from the OR. The tech is also part of a team that cleans the OR to prepare it for the next case.

Entering the Field

Obviously, given that this is a healthcare profession, candidates need to have a strong background in the sciences in high school. In addition, people who want to be surgical techs must complete a certificate or associate’s degree program in surgical technology. Depending on the path chosen, programs can last anywhere from several months to two years. During this time, students will learn what they need to know to succeed in this role. After completing a program, candidates should become certified in the field.

And there’s more good news: the pay is excellent. As of July 2019, the average annual pay for a surgical tech is $52,638 per year. A surgical tech’s salary may be determined by a variety of factors, including experience, certification, location, the employer’s salary structure, and more.

RELATED: Salary Guide for Surgical Techs

What’s Great about the Job?

This field is demanding and challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Surgical techs are necessary for hospitals, surgical centers, and other facilities, so you can find work where you find one of these places. In addition, no two days are the same, and you’ll never be bored. Each shift will bring new challenges, new experiences, and new opportunities to learn.

Finally, you will work as part of the surgical team, so you will be helping people every single day. For many surgical techs, the greatest benefit of this career is the ability to work with people and to make surgeries safer for patients. That childhood dream of helping people in some way, being a hero, and earning a good salary? It can be your reality.

Is This the Job for You?

At 365 Healthcare Staffing Services, we specialize in the recruitment and placement of healthcare professionals in per diem, travel, and permanent assignments in healthcare facilities across the country. If you become a surgical tech, we’ll be here for you when you’re looking for your next assignment. Just give us a call at 310.436.3650; we can’t wait to work with you!

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