How Surgical Tech Certifications Can Boost Your Career
The journey from Surg Tech to CST may be challenging, but if you want to travel, the effort will definitely pay off.
Hospitals across the country hire traveling Surg Techs when their permanent staff needs extra hands, recognizing that these skilled clinicians are key to ensuring successful surgical outcomes. The Surg Tech role typically involves assisting clinicians in an operating room, but it can also involve transporting surgical patients to and from other rooms if allowed by state and hospital policies. While the basic prerequisites for entrance into this field are a high school diploma plus completion of a one-year certificate program or two-year college degree in Surgical Technology, acquiring certification in this healthcare specialty can be a big plus when you're looking for a new position.
Difference Between Surgical Technologist and Surgical First Assistant
Graduation from a two-year college is customarily required to perform the allied health role of a Surgical First Assistant (who can assist physicians during an operation). In contrast, graduates of a one-year certificate program are generally limited to tasks related to surgical instrumentation, management of the sterile field, and preparation of the operating room rather than providing direct assistance to physicians during the operation. Consequently, the pay and scope of job opportunities are greater for someone with the job title of Surgical First Assistant than for a one-year
training program graduate with the job title of Surgical Technologist.
The Path to Surgical Technology Certification
Surgical technology certification is acquired through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Besides the completion of an accredited training program, passing an NBSTSA exam is required for receipt of certification. There are two exam options offered by the NBSTSA: 1) the Certified Surgical Technologist exam (CST-ERC), and 2) the Certified Surgical First Assistant exam (CSFA-ERC). If you qualify to take the Certified Surgical First Assistant exam, you can also take the CST-ERC for receipt of both certifications if you wish.
To be eligible to take the Certified Surgical Technologist exam, you must have completed a surgical technician training program, but – unless you graduated from a program while serving in the US military – your program must be accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
What Does the Surgical Technology Exam Cover?
The Certified Surgical Technologist exam consists of 175 questions, of which 150 are scored. As of January 2022, you need to correctly answer 102 of the 150 questions to receive a passing score. Questions are based on the usual tasks performed in the United States by surgical technicians. The following are the current categories addressed by the test:
- Perioperative Care (including perioperative preparation, intraoperative procedures, and postoperative procedures) – 91 questions in total
- Ancillary Duties (including questions pertaining to administration and personnel, and equipment sterilization and maintenance) – 26 questions in total
- Basic Science (including questions pertaining to anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and surgical pharmacy) – 33 questions in total
Surgical First Assistants – Certification Exam
The certification exam for Surgical First Assistants is more extensive than the exam for Surgical Technologists. Like the surgical technology test, the First Assistant exam includes questions focused on perioperative care and ancillary duties. However – instead of basic science questions – the test features advanced science questions. There are 34 advanced science questions that need to be correctly answered. Within the Advanced Sciences category is a subcategory of questions pertaining to surgical pharmacology and anesthesia. This is due to Surgical First Assistant duties that can involve assistance with the provision of anesthesia.
Employment Outlook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment for Surgical Technologists (inclusive of Surgical First Assistants) is expected to grow by 30 percent by 2030. It also projects around 9,000 job openings annually over the next decade. Besides
hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers also hire Surgical Technologists and Surgical First Assistants – and the number of ambulatory surgical centers across the US continues to increase at a rapid pace.
Surgical Technology as a Career Pathway
When seeking a position in a hospital, some healthcare professionals may find that getting a hospital to hire them is more challenging than anticipated. Making the transition from a long-term care facility or a medical office to a hospital can be challenging, depending upon the facility and its location. Some clinicians, such as LPNs or LVNs, have found that entering the Surgical Technology profession was just the springboard they needed. Due to their nurse training programs, Licensed LPNs/LVNs who want employment in a hospital may find that acquiring an A.S. in Surgical Technology leads to a rewarding career in an operating room, with a higher CST salary.
Do hospitals hire traveling Surgical Techs?
They absolutely do, and American Traveler has placed many of them. Hospital employers recognize Surg Techs as vital members of the healthcare team and as essential to a smoothly functioning O.R. The shifts for many CST travel positions sync with the schedule for elective surgeries, which means there are plentiful day shift options and the workdays may be
more regular than the schedules for other hospital-based clinicians.
Do hospital hiring managers prefer traveling Surgical Techs who have earned certification?
Yes, they do. In many cases, they not only prefer candidates with certification, but they also require it. There is no doubt that your travel opportunities will grow exponentially once you have your certification.
Last Modified On: Feb 21, 2022
The next stop on your traveler journey awaits.
