Surgical Tech in 2015

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 22, 2015

I'm going to go with the reason that a lot of the surgical tech posts are dated is because they don't frequently visit this site as it is geared more towards nursing. I know that Facebook has a few surgical tech groups and Association of Surgical Technologists is the professional organization for STs, so perhaps your questions could be better answered there?

But, having worked in the OR for several years, here's my take on it:

New grad is it hard getting a job?

Depends on the area where you want to work. Right now, my facility has a lot of openings that we are gradually filling. But consider this about being an ST: unlike nursing, there are pretty much very limited areas you can work in- the OR and possibly labor and delivery for c-sections.

what is the starting hourly rate for surgical tech?

Going to be very dependent on where you live and the facilities you apply to.

Are the hour crazy?

Again, depends on the facility. Some facilities only operate during the day, everyone works day shift, and some people will take call or come in later/work longer shifts (we have 8 hour shifts from 830-1700 as well as 10 hour shifts starting at 700) to cover later running rooms. Other facilities may staff 24/7/365. Call may or may not be required depending on the facility and its staffing patterns.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2015

To add to Rose Queen's highly informative post, I encourage prospective students to avoid surgical tech educational programs offered by the investor-owned schools (read: Concorde, Sanford Brown, Brown Mackie, Fortis, Kaplan, etc.).

Your local community college, regional state university or public technical school most likely offers surgical tech programs that are both affordable and reputable.

Loves2scrub · Oct 23, 2015

I was a surgical tech for 13 years before I graduated nursing school in May 2014. I was happy scrubbing for a long time. My starting salary was $16, and I ended up at $21 and some change. I specialize in cardiac, and it is mentally and physically challenging. However, it can be very, very rewarding. The job market for tech's in my area seems to be pretty good. Call varies depending on how the OR is staffed, and how many people take the call. Fewer staff equals more call.