How Long Does it Take to Become a Surgical Tech Through an Accelerated Program?
Healthcare is a dynamic and growing field. The aging of baby boomers and the expansion of health care coverage have contributed to the rise of many kinds of health care professionals, beyond nurses and doctors. Surgical technology is one such field.
Also called a surgical technician, scrub tech, or operating room technician, these allied health professionals work alongside surgical care teams, performing a critical role in patient care and recovery. They assist the surgeon, the nurse, and anesthesiologist by ensuring the patient is prepared for surgery; they also assist during surgery and afterward.
What a Surgical Technician Does
Surgical techs get the operating room ready by setting up equipment, instruments, and supplies including drapes, gloves, gowns, and suction tubing. They are responsible for assembling sterile equipment, ensuring it is working properly, and having everything on hand that the surgical team needs.
A surgical tech is responsible for patient preparation including getting the patient into the operating room, preparing the patient for surgery, and prepping the site of the incision.
The surgical tech helps the patient put on gown and gloves; places sterile drapes on the patient; passes sponges, instruments, and more to the surgeon. The surgical tech is also responsible for providing solutions and medications to the surgeon, as well as receiving and passing on tissue specimens. An even greater responsibility is ensuring there are no breaks in the sterile routine, so as to prevent infection. Other tasks:
- Replace full suction containers
- Prepare and provide sterile dressings
- Move patient to the stretcher for transport to recovery
Working Conditions
Although surgical techs work indoors in clean, well-lighted conditions, the job can be stressful, with life and death issues arising during surgical procedures. In addition, the surgical tech may have to stand for many hours, and may have to endure warm conditions in the operating room, wearing latex gloves, a mask, and a sterile gown and head covering. The surgical tech will also be exposed to unpleasant sights, odors, and substances.
Surgical techs usually have to be available for emergency situations, involving weekend and late night shifts, to help with traffic accidents, births, and other emergencies.
Education
To become a surgical technologist, you will need to attend a college, university, or vocational school for training. Once you complete your program, you will need to take a test to become certified. To enter this type of program, you will need a high school diploma or GED. You won’t need extensive healthcare experience or knowledge to get started either.
You may earn an associate degree, which can take two years or so. It is possible to complete your education faster, by enrolling in an accelerated program. You could earn an accelerated associate degree in Surgical Technology in as little as 1.5 years.
Accelerated Programs
Accelerated programs have blossomed in recent years, as more students take advantage of fast-track learning to get their degrees in a shorter time. But while the advantage of accelerated programs is obvious -- get your degree quickly so you can get started earning an income in your profession -- they can be challenging. Many students who opt for this faster program do so because they must also maintain a job while in school. Their goal is to graduate as quickly as possible and begin tackling their professional goals.
Remember that while you're attending school, life goes on. You will still have commitments to family, home, and a job. You need to take a serious look at your commitments, and figure out what your schedule is realistically likely to be before you enroll in a college program. Ask yourself the following:
- How many hours a week will I have to work to support myself (and family)? You may feel that you will need to cut your work hours in order to accommodate school. You might need to get together with a manager to come up with a more flexible schedule for you.
- How many hours a week will I have to commit to an accelerated program? Be sure to leave allowances for study (lots of hours!) and class projects.
- How much help (babysitting, help with household cleaning, cooking, and maintenance, plus other obligations) can I reasonably expect from family and friends to get me through the time it will take to complete my degree? Time to call in favors. You will need to prep the family on how to get along without you while you are in school.
Keep in mind that you cannot cut back on study time in an accelerated program. Your assignments will come quickly and there is often no time to push a deadline. You will need to be organized and disciplined.
Are You Ready for Accelerated Education?
Are you interested in becoming a surgical technologist and want to start your training off with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Surgical Technology? ECPI University offers this program at an accelerated pace. For more information, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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