Surgical Technician Career

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What You Do in This Career

Surgical Technicians go by a lot of names: Surgical Technologists, Operating Room Technicians, Surgical Technicians, or my favorite, Scrubs. Scrubs are part of operating room teams which help surgeons, anesthesiologists, and registered nurses do their jobs. When you see a surgeon on TV ask for a scalpel, the person handing it to him would be the surgical technician. But, handing over tools when asked isn’t all of the gig. Surgical technicians also have to prepare patients for surgery (read: washing, shaving, disinfecting), wheel patients into the operating room, and cover them with sterile surgical drapes. Most importantly, they help monitor vital signs.

Salary and Career Path

Even though surgical technicians are working right beside the surgeons, they are paid a lot less. The median annual income for 2008 was only $38,740, with the highest salaries over $54,300. That’s definitely enough to make a living, and if you love saving lives and being in on the action, this might be the career for you. Dentist offices pay the worst, so if money is an issue, look for general or surgical hospitals and especially specialty hospitals for the big bucks. Technologists can specialize, which increases pay and employment possibilities, in areas like neurosurgery and cardiovascular surgery. Some may go on to become nurse practitioners who also work in surgery.

What Kind of Degree or Coursework You Need

Training programs are often offered by community colleges, vocational schools, universities, hospitals and the military, usually lasting 9-24 months. Those who did well in health, biology, chemistry and math classes in high school will have an easier time of the coursework since much of it is in anatomy, physiology, microbiology and other biological disciplines. Chemistry comes in handy for drug interactions, and learning medical terms is vital for fast communication over the surgical table. Other lessons require less thinking and more cleaning, since proper sterilization procedures must be followed.

Top Online Health Services Programs

There are multiple educational paths that can be taken to become an ultrasound technician or diagnostic medical sonographer. The schools below do not offer ultrasound-specific training, but they do offer medical assisting and other healthcare programs closely related to sonography. You can request information by clicking the college's logo.

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DeVry University
AS in Health IT
 		DeVry University — Although DeVry University's online associate's degree in health information technology program is not specifically an ultrasound training program, it does prepare students to be HIT leaders in contemporary hospitals, physician's offices, medical clinics, and more.
Virginia College Online
BS in Health Services Mgmt
 		Virginia College Online — If you want to complete a health-based interdisciplinary studies degree online that will prepare you for ultrasound technology as well as for management, then apply for Virginia College's bachelor's degree in Health Services Management or associate's degree in medical office administration. The tuition for each program includes the cost of every textbook for every course. After earning this degree, additional training may be required to become an ultrasound technician.
Herzing University
AS in Medical Assisting
 		Herzing University — The AS in medical assisting degree program from Herzing University is not an ultrasound training program, but it does present students with an introduction to a physician's office, and can help lead to careers in sonography. Students learn how to assist doctors and nurses in the exam room as well as perform routine medical laboratory procedures.
Hodges University
AS in Health Info Mgmt
AS in Health Admin
 		Hodges University — Hodges University's AS in Health Information Technology and AS in Health Administration programs, while not purely an ultrasound training program, do teach students how to use the latest information technology to meet the needs of the healthcare industry. Health information technology allows medical offices to collect and analyze data from patients and doctors, a vital part of the medical process. Students learn to manage patient health information, medical records, administer computer information systems, and code diagnoses and procedures.
Lincoln College
AAS in Health IT
 		Lincoln College — The AAS in Health IT degree program from Lincoln College Online teaches students the ins and outs of technological-related medical work such as data tracking, organizing, and recorded. This degree is useful for anyone wishing to advance in his/her career within a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, ultrasound clinics, physician offices, and more. Additional training is required before becoming an ultrasound technician.

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DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University operates as DeVry Institute of Technology in Calgary, Alberta. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. AC0060. DeVry University is authorized for operation by the THEC. www.state.tn.us/thec. Nashville Campus - 3343 Perimeter Hill Dr., Nashville, TN 37211. Program availability varies by location.

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