Surgical Tech Programs In California

What Does a Surgical Technologist Do?

There are many important roles in the medical field that don’t get as much public attention as, say, surgeons or other major roles. One of these is the surgical technologist, who provides a valuable service in the health care industry but might not be familiar to many prospective students. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics states simply that surgical technologists assist during surgical operations under the direct supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other personnel. Their role is largely a preparatory one, helping to organize the operating room and get the scene ready for the operating surgeon.

Before an operation begins, surgical techs set up the instruments the surgeon will need, assemble the sterile and non-sterile tools, and check to make sure everything is functioning correctly. A surgical technologist will also often work with the patient by cleaning and disinfecting their incision areas. The tech will transport the patient to the operating room, monitor their vital signs, and assist the surgical staff in donning gowns and gloves. Basically, a surgical technologist is a medically trained assistant who helps get things done in the operating room, allowing the surgical team to work together smoothly and perform operations with greater ease. But a surgical technologist isn’t just a pair of hands. The role requires training and education, as underscored by the Association of Surgical Technologists in their job description of surgical techs. They stress that surgical techs have learned and maintain expertise in both the theory & application of aseptic and sterile techniques, and therefore possess the skills needed to competently combine advanced knowledge of human anatomy, proper implementation of technologies and tools, and a solid understanding of surgical procedures to facilitate a surgeon's performance of invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Surgical technologists often operate sterilizers or other light machines during the surgery, as well as pass instruments to the surgeon. Some surgical technologists with additional training and certification can also serve as surgical assistants, which involves controlling blood flow and other tasks under the surgeon’s supervision to help the surgery be executed safely. Enrolling in one of the surgical tech programs in Bakersfield Ca is a great way to become a vital part of the operating room process and the larger health care industry.

Training To Become A Surgical Tech In California

The decision to become a surgical technologist is a big one but one that will most likely lead to a rewarding career as a vital member of a hospital staff or assisting physicians in private practice. Pursuing a career as a surgical tech is easier than you’d think, especially if you do your research.

First things first: Find a good school. No matter what you’re studying, it’s imperative that you graduate from an accredited college or university. Accredited schools are those that have passed muster with regional or national accrediting agencies and have been judged as worthy institutions. They provide a quality education that’s respected by employers, and more importantly, only graduates from accredited universities are eligible to take certification exams in the surgical technologist field. Be VERY wary of surgical tech schools online. Properly accredited schools rarely accept prerequisite courses such as anatomy, physiology, and other science courses that are taken online.

The U.S. Department of Education maintains a searchable database of higher education institutions that have been accredited by legitimate agencies, and a pair of other organizations — the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools — provide searchable lists of accredited programs that will allow you to sit for the exam to become a certified surgical technologist.

With a degree from one of the surgical tech programs in California, you will be ready to study for and take the certification exam. Becoming a certified surgical technologist will greatly improve your earning potential and job opportunities, though you’ll need to retake certification exams every few years in order to maintain your CST status. You can also choose to advance to the role of surgical first assistant, which requires more training and study. There are a variety of career resources available for surgical technologists, too. The Association of Surgical Technologists, a professional organization for the field, devotes a section of its website to job opportunities for qualified surgical techs.

It’s also a good idea to stay in touch with local hospitals and the surgeons you worked with during your schooling and internship period. Often, the best way to learn about available jobs is to know someone who needs a qualified tech and will think of you. Becoming a surgical technologist is an easier goal to achieve than you might think. With the right preparation before choosing a school, and taking the certification exam after graduation, you’ll be able to enter the medical field and become an integral part of a surgical team.