Surgical Technologist

Surgical technologists assist surgeons and nurses during life-saving operations, help care for and transfer patients, and—most importantly—ensure the surgical field is sterile before, during, and after procedures. The Surgical Technology Pathway Program is designed to prepare you with foundational knowledge in health sciences and fundamental professional skills for assisting during surgical procedures.

A Surgical Technologist assists in surgical procedures as part of a healthcare team, working under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel to ensure safe and effective patient care.

• Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
• Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
• Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing.
• Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists.
• Prepare patients for surgery, including positioning patients on the operating table and covering them with sterile surgical drapes to prevent exposure.
• Hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons’ assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.

Learn more about being a Surgical Technologist, including employment trends, salary averages, and related skills at O
* Net or Career One Stop  .

Samantha Kebede, a Surgical Technologist at Legacy Health Systems, chose healthcare to “make a difference in people’s lives while doing something I enjoy.” Her goal was to find a job with a work-life balance and a better life for her family.

Using the Education Fund’s Surgical Tech Pathway Program, she earned her Certified Surgical Technologist certification without student debt. Samantha loves her job as a Surgical Technologist and is proud of the work-life balance she has created. She also makes a point of sharing her experience using the Ed Fund with her colleagues at Legacy Health.

“Now that I have achieved my goal and have gone through the process of using the Ed Fund, I encourage all of my colleagues to use the Ed Fund. If I can do it, so can they.”

• High School Diploma or GED
• Completion of a Surgical Technology training program
• AS degree or certificate program, 9-16 months in length
• 300-500 clinical hours (120-150 cases required)
• Depending on school:
  Full time (4-5 days/week) and part time(2-3days/week) options, day/evening/hybrid may be available
• National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)

Why accreditation is important: An accredited school has been reviewed by an industry organization to ensure that quality standards are met and maintained, providing some assurance of receiving a quality education. Some employers, licensing boards, and graduate schools will only accept credentials earned at an accredited school. Attending an accredited school will often increase your opportunities in the long run, as employers usually prefer to hire people who have graduated from accredited programs.

• Tech in Surgery certification
• Certified Surgical Technologist

Please note:

The above content is for informational purposes and is not intended to replace or provide any employer-specific requirements. Please be sure to check your employers’ job descriptions for specific requirements or consult your local HR department.

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, we encourage you to make an appointment with your Career Counselor/Regional Coordinator via My Ed Fund , our secure, online member portal.

Please note that we receive a tremendous response to our education and training programs. Availability is not guaranteed and varies based on demand, available spots, and our partnerships with educational providers.

Your Career Counselor/Regional Coordinator can discuss these details with you and help you create an individualized education plan.