The Centers of Excellence share information on Surgical Technician careers.

1. Healthcare: Recession-Proof Jobs
Surgical Technician Careers

2. Fascinated with Computers, Lasers & Robotics?
Love Helping People?
Consider a Career as a Surgical Technologist!

3. Surgical
Technician careers
are in high
demand!

4. California’s population will increase
by about 12 million people in the
next 20 years - - many of whom will
age and retire.
The volume of surgical
procedures is expected to
continue to increase because older
people tend to require more
surgeries.

5. What do surgical techs do?
Commonly known as scrubs or
operating room techs, they
perform more highly skilled
tasks under the supervision of
operating room nurses, including
minor surgery.

6. Typical Tasks
Before surgery, they may
prepare the patients, facilities,
and instruments.
During surgery they may assist
by passing instruments, checking
vital signs, and handling
specimens.
After surgery they may help
clean the operating room and
move patients to recovery rooms.

7. What are the salaries?
Jobs in L.A. County are expected to grow by 15%.
The 2009 median salary is $20.75.

8. What are the educational requirements?
Certification is voluntary in California
Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) from the National
Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
(NBSTSA)
Technologist in Surgery – Certified (TS-C) from the
National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

9. Where are the schools?
Mira Costa College
http://www.miracosta.cc.ca.us/
Certificate of Achievement – Surgical Technology

10. Tip #1
Skills Employers Seek:
Willingness to learn
Anatomy and physiology
English composition
Sciences with labs
Accredited course work
Previous hospital experience
Team spirit
Technical inclination
Multiple specialties

11. Tip #2
Moving Up the Career Ladder:
Surgical Technologists usually advance by specializing in a
particular area of surgery, such as neurosurgery or open heart
surgery.
They also may work as Circulating Technologists.
With additional training, some Technologists advance to First
Assistant.
Some Surgical Technologists manage central supply
departments in hospitals, or take positions with insurance
companies, sterile supply services, and operating equipment
firms.
Surgical Technologists can also become nurses with the
appropriate education.

12. Need More Information?
Check out the ONET site for Surgical Technicians
http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/29-2055.00