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Discussion

OR/Surgery Techs

I currently work as a CNA on the BMT/Hem/Onc unit at my hospital. I just passed my CNA exam and was wondering if there was anything stopping me from applying for jobs as an OR tech. I don't have experience in that particular unit, but after floating there a few times on extra shifts I feel that is where I would be happiest. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should try to do in order to gain a position as a tech on a surgical unit? Any extra certifications that I could also use would be greatly appreciated since I really want to be as knowledgeable as I can be before switching units.

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    First, be sure that the job opening is for a CNA/ patient care position. Jobs posted as surgical techs generally do not fall into that category, as surgical technologists have education on sterile technique, handling surgical instruments, and function as a member of the surgical team (more info at the Association of Surgical Technologists http://www.ast.org as that is an extremely oversimplified description of what a surgical tech does).

    Responsibilities of people filling patient care assistant positions in the OR generally consist of helping with OR turnover (cleaning and getting the room ready for the next surgery), running specimens to the lab/pathology, helping with patient transfers and positioning. Again, as with the surgical tech, this is a very simplified description.

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    Thank you for your response. I did look at the website you gave and I have also been finding that surgical technicians are more commonly available than patient care technician positions, but I am going into nursing school so I think I will probably just have to search around and see if anything is open in the meantime. Thanks again!

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    Yeah, surgical techs in my area are actually graduates of either 1 year certificate program or more commonly a two year degree program. They require intense training in different techniques. Some pre-nursing students who have a long term on a wait list take the program and work as a surgical tech.

    Our surgical techs make about 19.00 dollars starting out whereas the pcts start out around 11-13 dollars. A lot of the surgical techs love their job. If you are faced with a long time on a wait list, consider it.

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    I really wanted to specialize in Pre Op/Pacu nursing because of my interest in this area. I'm still figuring out all the specifics of just taking care of patients as a CNA as I know my girlfriend in PACU and OR nursing says she loves the field but gets worked like a dog. I don't mind working hard if I truly love that field. I have been looking over some surgical tech programs since I am applying this Fall for nursing school next summer. I also have Federal loans I have to maintain in the meantime so I am trying to really conserve my credits/financial aid for finishing up my BSN. I have applied to a few CNA positions PRN for Pre Op so I've crossed my fingers!

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