An operating room technician, also called a
surgical technologist, primarily assists surgeons with tools and
instruments in the operating room. Currently, this program is not
offered online; however, formal training and preparation for the
voluntary certification exam may be done at a local community college by
way of an associate's degree or certificate program.
In order to enroll in an operating room technician associate's
program, also called a surgical technology program, one must be at least
18 years of age or older, as well as have a high school diploma or GED
equivalent. The associate's degree is not offered online and admission
to many programs includes passing a background check along with a drug
screening.
These associate's degree programs, which are available on-campus at
local community or technical colleges, prepare graduates for operating
room technician careers and typically take between 1-2 years to
complete. Coursework topics include anatomy, biology, physiology,
fundamentals of surgical technology, pharmacy, along with several
surgical techniques and communication.
Certificate in Surgical Technology
The certificate in surgical technology is also not offered online;
however, programs are available at community colleges or technical
institutes. Surgical technology certificate programs can usually be
finished in one year or less, with admission requirements similar to the
associate's degree program in surgical technology. Within this program,
students do not typically have general education topics and core
classes focus on areas such as anatomy, physiology, surgical
application, pharmacology and surgical technology.
Certification
According to the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical
Assisting (NBSTSA), graduates of associate's degree or certificate
programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health
Education Programs (CAAHEP) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education
Schools (ABHES) may sit for the national certifying exam, which is
voluntary for technicians (
www.nbstsa.org). The exam includes a
comprehensive test based on the materials commonly covered in surgical
technology programs and a registration fee. Online practice exam
materials are available and include an overall performance and
individual question analysis.
Continuing Education
Surgical technologists or technicians can renew their certification
every four years. NBSTSA notes that professionals can renew by retaking
the certifying examination or satisfying 60 continuing education credits
which are available online through the Association of Surgical
Technologists (AST).
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