Kentucky Surgical Technician Schools

Surgical technologists are valued members of the surgical team and play an important role in the operating room. They sterilize and prepare the surgical instruments, monitor the patients vital signs and assist the surgeon with a variety of tasks. Surgical technologists may be called Certified Surgical Technologists, Operating Room Assistants or Surgical Scrub Technicians. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected job growth rate for Surgical Technologists is 24% between 2006 and 2016.

The Role of a Surgical technologist

Surgical Technologists are responsible for: preparing the patient for surgery, assisting the surgeon and nurses to maintain a sterile environment, washing and sterilizing equipment, keeping an accurate count of instruments and surgical sponges, monitoring the patient’s vital signs, maintaining lasers and suction devices, transporting the patient to the recovery room and monitoring them while under the anesthesia.

The Training Programs

There are some good surgical tech training programs in Kentucky. Students will learn anatomy, medical terminology, pharmacology, surgical instrument sterilization and operating room procedures.

The schools offer Diploma programs, associate and bachelor degree programs. The programs range from 9 months for a diploma and two years for an associates degree. A four year bachelors degree will open up many more opportunities for students who want to advance their careers. The training will introduce the student to the world of surgery and teach them all they need to succeed in this rewarding career.

Requirements

Before enrolling in a Surgical Technologist program the student must have a high school diploma or GED and take any required prerequisites to enter the program. Prerequisites can general education courses, biology, chemistry and science.

Meanwhile, certification is available by exam from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for Surgical Techs is good. In 2006 there were 86,000 jobs for certified techs. There is expected to 107,000 jobs by 2016. The beginning pay for Certified Surgical technologists is $39,000 and the median pay rate is $41,000 per year.

Surgical Technologist Training Programs

National College Florence, Lexington, and Louisville, Kentucky National College offers a two-year Associate’s Degree program in Surgical Technology. Students will gain a thorough knowledge of the principles of patient preparation and care, surgical preparation and procedures, operative technique, use of surgical instruments and equipment, and principles of asepsis. Upon graduation, students will have learned to apply knowledge appropriately, received extensive clinical experience in “scrubbing” and “circulating,” and will be prepared to assume the full range of responsibilities associated with the profession.
MedVance Institute Cookeville, Kentucky The Surgical Technology training program at MedVance Institute includes working with instructors through simulated laboratory work and drills that deal with real problems that may come up in the operating room. This year-long program will help prepare students for a job as a surgical technologist.
Brown Mackie College Fort Mitchell and Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio Brown Mackie College’s two-year program in Surgical Technology is designed to provide students with the required knowledge base and technical skills required to obtain entry-level employment in the field of surgical technology. To achieve this goal, the program curriculum provides study in general and specialty surgical procedures, principles of anesthesia, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and surgical technology techniques. The Associate’s Degree in Surgical Technology program is offered at the Louisville, Northern Kentucky, and Cincinnati locations.