Surgical Technologist Certification

For working surgical techs, there is a great incentive to become certified because certified surgical technologists (CST) have the best prospects for employment. This article will provide a practical guide to obtaining certification as a surgical tech and the various designations that are available.

Becoming a Certified Surgical Techologist

Fortunately, becoming a CST is a straightforward process. Candidates must graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology program and then complete a written exam, administered by the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist, which is the professional organization that governs surgical tech certifications. After completing these steps, a surgical tech is free to use the Certified Surgical Technologist Designation in their career activities. This certification requires continuing education must be renewed every 5 years.

Additional Certifications

Another way for techs to become certified is through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). To obtain this designation, surgical technologists must take one of three paths: earn a degree, diploma, or certificate from an accredited training program; complete 2 years of on-the-job training at a hosptial; or complete 7 years of experience as a working surgical technologist. After passing the exam, individuals may use the designation Tech in Surgery-Certified, TS-C (NCCT). This certification must be renewed every 5 years through either continuing education or reexamination.

You might already know that beginning a new career as a surgical technologist is a great choice for your future. The projected growth of surgical tech jobs in the country is better than the national average for all other professions and for every one surgeon in the operating room, there are at least 5 surgical tech positions open for eligible candidates. You might also know that working as a surgical technologist can be lucrative – successful technologists with years of experience can collect over $50,000 per year for their services. It’s easy to become a surgical technologist. Within 2 years of enrolling in a reputable surgical tech program, you could be ready to begin work at the hospital of your choice. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned health professional looking for a new path, training to be a surgical technologist is both smart and forward-thinking.

What you might not know is that graduating from a surgical technologist program is just the first step in a beginning a successful new career. To move forward more quickly and ensure your competitiveness in the national market, you should look into taking the national certification exam. Certified surgical technologists enjoy both a higher salary and more career flexibility than non-certified technologists.

Benefits for Certified Surgical Techs

The benefits to becoming a nationally certified surgical technologist are numerous. Foremost is the fact that the achievement of a national certification is a prestigious and respected credential that shows that holder meets the national standard of knowledge for surgical technology. Certified individuals can be safely assumed to understand a wide range of surgical procedures, aspective techniques, and patient care. Because it is an optional certification, passing the exam demonstrates a certain mastery of surgical technology that is respected by health care professionals of all types.

Certified surgical technologists are more competitive candidates in the job market as most surgeons prefer to hire certified technologists to assist them in the operating room. Certain states are no considering legislation that will make it compulsory for surgical technologists to be certified before being employed. Certified techs are more competitive in the job market and have a higher earning potential in the long run, with a median income of $50,000 over 20 years of work.

Certification Process

Immediately after earning a degree or diploma in surgical technology you are ready to begin working straightaway. However, choosing to become nationally certified will be an invaluable credential as you seek out employment opportunities in hospitals and private offices.

To become nationally certified, you will have to sit for the exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Passing the exam allows you to use the title CST – Certified Surgical Technologist. You may take the exam within the last month of your surgical technologist training or within one year of graduation. Many surgical technologists choose to gain experience by working for a year before taking the exam, but this is unnecessary if you feel prepared to become certified while still in school.

To remain certified by the NBSTSA, you will have to renew the certification every four years by either continuing education in surgical technology or reexamination.

You may also become nationally certified by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), which has more a more relax pre-requisite policy. To qualify for the exam, the candidate must have earned a credential from an accredited school or program, complete a 2-year hospital training program, or have worked for 7 years in the field of surgical technology. Once you have passed the exam, you will be able to use the title TS-C – Tech in Surgery-Certified. This certification must be renewed every 5 years.

Accreditation and Pre-Requisites

To be eligible for national certification, you must have earned a degree or diploma from a school accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). If your school is not accredited, you may still work as as surgical technologist but you will not be allowed to sit for the exams administered by NBSTSA or the NCCT. The ABHES has approved over 400 schools since 2001, making it easier than ever to choose an accredited school, but always check with administrators and students for a clearer picture of the program’s post-graduation options for students. Reputable schools will usually have the accreditation necessary to qualify you for national certification after earning your credential.