Best-Kept-Secret Career: Surgical Technologist

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I'm currently a ST (surgical tech) in Oklahoma and I love it although I've been doing for only about 2weeks, you learn very fast and most doctors are great teachers! I am making more money here than I've ever made at any other job I've had. 15.50 and I'm not even certified, this is a great career path especially if you love helping others

caroline of OK 1:46PM February 03, 2011

that is so true,, I am a surgical tech student,, I am not expecting to make lots of money. This is not a bacheloor's degree, it's just TRAINING! to get a job. The pay will be better than what I am making now,, (nothing, no job) that's for sure. I will keep futher with my education. I want to be a PA someday. This certificate is a good start. I know here in TN, SURGICAL Techs make around $14.62 with no experience at all, that is better than $8.50 at select staffing or $7.50 at Jack in the box, dont you think? If you dont like what you are making now as a surgical tech, get some college education and get a degree, and stop complaining!!!!

pao of TN 12:46AM December 02, 2010

In Florida Surgical Technologists are a dime a dozen alot of hospitals including Baycare and HCA Hospitals train CNA's to preform the duties of a Surgical Tech, and with so many graduates finding job as a newly certified recent graduate is damn near impossible

Heather Spitz of FL 6:14PM August 08, 2010

I was told if you do not enjoy standing all day and lifting heavy pt's at times then this job is not for you.Being a Surgery tech can be fun but alot Surgeons can be rude. Like any job there are good surgeons and bad ones out there.

Carol Lawrence of TX 5:14PM December 22, 2009

Cynthia, I'm not sure what a sdp tech is...I'm a CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) Each hospital has it's own culture, shop around til you find the one you fit into. New people aren't always treated nicely, by doctors and other staff. Ignore them, don't take it personally, do your job. If possible read the text the night before to familiarize yourself with the cases for the next day. Ask questions until you find someone willing to teach you. I work in eastern KY for very little money, but I stuck it out and am very comfortable in my career now with 18 months experience. I still learn every day though. It takes courage but is well worth it!! Debi

Debi of KY 4:38PM November 26, 2009

i graduated in january 2009, studying for national certification.
i was hired as a sdp tech, dept treated me really nasty. basically pushed me out and i severed my ties with hospital. no one would ever show me or assist me if i needed it. could you give me some advise cynthia

cynthia of NJ 3:57PM November 13, 2009

I'm being forced to do a school assignment, and I'm afraid that this particular article does not have the information I need - how much a Surgical Technologist makes. She said that all the information would be provided on this website.

Elena 9:45PM November 10, 2009

I'm not currently certified as I was trained in the Army, and although it does limit where you can work it doesn't prevent it! Also you cant be automatically certified in most cases. You need to get a certain number of hours in cases under your belt first. Medical Assistants if I'm not mistaken work mainly in clinics and perform small tasks directly for providers right? You would need a little additional training, but med assistant+surgical tech ain't such a bad get-up! especially if you get a job in an outpatient center. I wouldn't say that they are trying to combine, but I can see how that might start being the standard. definitely two completely different jobs though if you work in a hospital setting. You would be assigned to the operating room/surgical staff as a tech, and if you were hired as a med assistant then you would have to be a clinic staff...so I am not sure how that'd work...

Mallory of NC 7:25PM November 04, 2009

It really is an awesome job, and you have a lot of opportunities. Because I've worked with Docs, PAs, RNs and certified techs not to mention radiology techs and many surgical equipment reps, pharmacy techs and ward personnel it has opened a ton of doors in those areas of healthcare for me as well. For example, now that I have worked as a surgical tech for two years I am interested in becoming certified then working toward being an RNFA (registered nurse first assist) which would basically be doing the same job I do now, only as an RN making more money! I truly love love love my job, the people I work with and the cases I am involved in and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get their foot in the door of healthcare but don't quite know what they like yet. you must be able to multi-task, be flexible, patient and like fast paced work. Also make sure you have a strong stomach. you see all body parts and all bodily fluids!

Mallory of NC 7:17PM November 04, 2009

In addition to aseptic mastery, I, being a surgical tech, have also found myself utilizing other skills such as management as well. Once the surgical procedure is done, you are usually responsible for the supervision of the room being cleaned, equipment such as cautery(electrosurgical blade used for blood stasis), lights and motorized bed/table being maintenanced properly. and the room and/or other areas being properly stocked and functional. This requires and aquired sense of networking with corresponding departments. With all these duties you will still find yourself a lot less stressed than other occupations around you. Overall it is a great job to have and you always have a story to tell at dinner! :p

Albert Simmons of MD 8:35PM October 30, 2009