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Surgical Technologist Employment and Advancement Opportunities
Advance your surgical technician career potential with quality training.
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The surgical technician (also known as an operating room technician or "scrub") stands alongside and assists surgeons during operations and surgical procedures. They help prep both the patients and the rooms before operations. This prep work usually involves sterilizing equipment, laying out tools, and checking the settings of any electronic equipment that might be used.
Becoming a "Scrub"
Although an occasional surgical technician can get by simply with on-the-job training, most hospitals and clinics prefer those who have completed anywhere from 9 to 24 months of formal training through vocational school, community college, university, or the military. Typical coursework will include anatomy, microbiology, physiology, professional ethics, medical terminology, pharmacology, chemistry, and other related life sciences. Your training will also include courses in working with patients, sterilizing equipment, and other hospital-related duties.
Career and Salary Prospects
The median salary for operating room technicians was around $34,000 in 2004, according to the US Department of Labor. In that same year, there were roughly 84,000 individuals working as surgical technicians. As impressive as this number is, however, job opportunities for this particular career will grow even more in the coming years. According to the same 2004 US Department of Labor study, opportunities for surgical technicians will grow much faster than the national average for all other occupations. Much of this growth will be due to a growing "elderly" population that comprises many baby boomers. Because life expectancy is much longer these days, these baby boomers will need even more medical attention later in life.