Becoming a surgical technologist (also known as a surgical tech) is a rewarding path for those interested in the healthcare field, particularly in assisting surgeons during medical procedures. The journey to becoming a surgical tech requires a blend of formal education, hands-on training, and certification. One of the most common questions asked by aspiring surgical technologists is: how long does it take to become a surgical tech? Let's break down the timeline and steps involved.
Understanding Surgical Tech Programs
The path to becoming a surgical tech begins with enrolling in a formal surgical tech program. These programs are offered by various types of educational institutions, including community colleges, technical schools, and vocational programs. Each program typically offers the essential knowledge and skills required to assist in surgeries, including learning how to prepare operating rooms, sterilize equipment, and directly assist surgeons during operations.
Programs can range from diploma or certificate programs to associate degree programs. The type of program you choose will influence the length of time it takes to complete your education and meet the surgical tech requirements.
How Long Is Surgical Tech School?
On average, it takes about 12 to 24 months to complete a surgical tech program, depending on the type of credential you are seeking and the structure of the program. Let’s break this down:
- Certificate or Diploma Programs: These programs usually take around 12 to 18 months to complete. They provide students with fundamental knowledge and practical skills through courses and lab work. Upon completion, students are eligible to take a certification exam to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).
- Associate Degree Programs: An associate degree typically takes about 18 to 24 months. This option often provides a more in-depth curriculum, including general education courses in addition to surgical tech-specific classes.
Each of these pathways will prepare you for surgical tech training in clinical settings, where hands-on learning takes place in real operating rooms under the supervision of experienced professionals.
Surgical Tech Classes: What to Expect
Regardless of the type of program, you will take a variety of surgical tech classes that cover both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. While every school may structure its curriculum slightly differently, most surgical tech programs include courses in:
- Anatomy and Physiology: A foundational understanding of the human body is essential for any surgical technologist. These courses will familiarize students with the major systems of the body, especially those relevant to surgical procedures.
- Medical Terminology: Surgical techs must be fluent in the language of medicine to communicate effectively with surgeons, nurses, and other operating room staff.
- Surgical Procedures: These courses cover the various types of surgeries that surgical techs will assist in, from routine procedures to more complex operations. Learning how to assist in different types of surgeries is critical to performing well in this role.
- Sterile Techniques and Asepsis: Maintaining a sterile environment in the operating room is one of the most important duties of a surgical technologist. Classes in asepsis teach students how to properly sterilize surgical instruments and ensure that all operating room environments are contamination-free.
- Surgical Instrumentation: Surgical techs’ need to know the different tools used in surgery, how they are used, and how to handle them properly. Courses in surgical instrumentation focus on the names, uses, and care of these essential tools.
- Patient Care and Safety: Surgical techs are often responsible for ensuring that patients are positioned correctly during surgery and that their overall care is managed during preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases. These classes focus on patient care principles specific to the operating room.
Surgical Tech Training in Clinical Settings
After completing classroom and lab-based education, most surgical tech programs require students to participate in clinical externships. These provide an opportunity for real-world experience, where students work in hospital operating rooms under the supervision of certified surgical technologists and other medical staff.
During this phase, students apply the skills they’ve learned in the classroom and lab to real surgical settings. They’ll assist in preparing operating rooms, ensuring the sterile field, passing instruments to surgeons, and observing surgeries firsthand. Clinical training is a crucial component in meeting the surgical tech requirements necessary for graduation and certification.
The duration of the clinical training can vary based on the program, but it typically spans several months and is completed during the last part of the educational program.
Schools for Surgical Tech: Choosing the Right Program
When considering schools for surgical tech, it’s essential to choose a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or another relevant accrediting body. Accreditation ensures that the program meets the quality standards necessary for certification and employment.
Factors to consider when selecting a program include:
- The length and type of the program (certificate, diploma, or associate degree)
- Availability of financial aid or scholarships
- The program’s certification exam pass rates
- Access to clinical training opportunities
It’s a good idea to research different schools, compare program lengths, and consider what suits your personal schedule and goals best.
Conclusion
In summary, the time it takes to become a surgical tech typically ranges from 12 to 24 months, depending on whether you pursue a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. The process includes completing coursework in anatomy, medical terminology, and surgical procedures, as well as participating in clinical training.
If you are interested in learning more about a program that can help you become a surgical technologist, you can explore the surgical technician program at ECPI University to see what it offers.