One of the reasons why surgical technology is so attractive in these modern times is the fact that one could become a very successful professional in this field with only a few years of education. The surgical tech training overview given in this article will be extremely useful for anyone considering to jump-start a career in this medical area.

Educational Paths for a Surgical Technician

There are many educational alternatives one could choose from when deciding about his/her surgical tech training. There are numerous available training programs offered by colleges, universities and hospitals. One could even obtain surgical tech training in the army. The length of the offered programs varies and they could bring you a diploma or a certificate, but even though these programs will provide you the knowledge you must have for beginning your career, it is recommended that you obtain an Associate's degree. This takes two years, but it will make you more appreciated by employers and improve your employment opportunities.

The Usual Surgical Tech Program Curriculum

Most of the surgical tech training programs have similar curricula, which include the following subjects:

- Medical terminology
- Surgical instruments
- Surgical procedures
- Ethics
- Patient care
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Anaesthesia techniques
- Sterilization techniques

Some of the programs offer internships which will provide you valuable practical experience and some also offer the opportunity for specialization in a specific filed.

Surgical Technician Certification

If you really want to succeed in the field of surgical technology and are willing to work seriously in order to achieve this goal, the best educational path is gaining an Associate's degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). This makes you eligible for the national certification, which is the highest credential you could obtain. It is not obligatory but certainly recommended.

There are two alternatives when it comes to certification:

1) The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam provided by the National Board of Surgical Technology. One must retake this exam every four years in order to maintain the certification, or he/she could also achieve that by continuing education.

2) The Tech in Surgery - Certified (TS-C) exam provided by the National Center for Competency Testing.Except by earning an accredited Associate's degree, one can also become eligible for this certification by completing 2 years on-the-job training program or gaining seven years experience. This certification can be renewed by retaking the test every five years or by continuing education.

This profession is very rewarding, in terms of both, personal and financial satisfaction. Investing in the education needed for building a surgical tech career is certainly a worthy investment, which will pay dividends in the long run.
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