A day in the life as a Surgical Technologist

[debelovesyou]

Whats the pay like? Job demand?

[jondoethereturn]

what if you're in the middle or surgery and really need to use the bathroom but you know the surgery is gonna take another 4 hours, are you allowed to leave and then rescrub and come back?

[travisihs08]

I'm thinking about doing a surgical tech progam. What does the pay look like for an average CST and what does the demand look like for CST.

[AxiomRecordsSBP]

Did you go to a tech school or an actual college?

[TheFreshKidd12]

How many hours do u work a week?

[anakin82030]

IF you're thinking about taking this class but you're kinda not sure but you know you could deal with blood and guts and stuff then I say join the class. We have a lot of fun and learn so much from the surgeons and other surg techs that the OR literally becomes the classroom. I hardly ever see my teacher anymore!! :P But seriously its fun and I'm learning more than most medical books can teach. I haven't sutured yet but its fine I will in due time!!

[SurgTechCST]

@anakin82030 Couldn't have said it better all the medical books and dictionaries are pretty good but don't compare to real life. You learn the material and think you got it but once you are in surgery it all hits you and makes sense. Good luck man I hope you pass your CST and keep me posted if you do.

[anakin82030]

Im taking surgical tech in GA Im almost done, will graduate in August '12!! Cant wait please pray for me cuz I've been trying really hard to finish the course and the Certification Exam is next month. I gave up so much for this program you have no idea. I really can't wait to graduate. Some things I will say if you are signing up for this program. You need to know your anatomy, sutures (absorb or non-absorb) gauges, KNOW your laparoscopic instruments pleeeease cuz I still get them mixed-up..

[klett69]

if i hadn't watched that much tv, i would be a surgeon... i still want to be a surgeon actually

[mprezz247]

Thank you VERY much for the information, I deeply appreciate it! The main question that I have difficulty finding on the internet is a detailed list of the CONS to being a CST. I am extremely excited about starting the program in August. However, I know that you know the behind-the-scenes info and would love to hear the various things that bother or irritate you on a continual basis. I know the career can be stressful at times, but I would love if you could elaborate on why it is so.Thnx again:)

[rachael0040]

I am a surg tech and I work in a hospital in my town. All of us techs suture. Some surgeons only want us to do closing stitches, others will let you start suturing one end and he on the other(this is for things other than skin). I can't speak for any other regions, but I live in Louisiana and I make a pretty good income. And I've only been doing it for two years. Of course more money comes with more experience.

[msmewiththat]

Thanks for video. I woyld like to know how you handle if you have been out of practice and just got offered a full time positon at a hospital?

[hokeynut]

im takeing classes and going into a program for surgical tech i cnt wait till im done, and blood and stuff dont bug me

[aaortiz87]

you said its not about the money but lets face it money helps. I've been looking at this for a while now and im wondering how long it would take to become a certified surgical tech. This is something that does intrigue me and im very interested in but I would also like to know how much I can start off making and whats the most I can make. Im 25 and I'm wondering if im too old to get into this now. I also live in california in the bay are to be specific.

[anakin82030]

@aaortiz87 No you're not too old, in fact I started the program just after I turned 29 and I'll be graduating shortly after my 30th birthday!!! Of course I took the extreme course and completed 4 core curriculum courses in 5 weeks to get into the fall program on time. I really want to graduate around my 30th birthday and work in south florida. The money is actually pretty good for an 18-month course. You may start off somewhere around 35K your first year and it only goes up from there.

[Youngsurgery]

Am going school for this...cnt wait to become a certified

[kuvhlubkojbby]

ur cool!

[roxanna316]

Pretty sweet .. I just started school a month ago n I love it ha

[wordsandherbs]

A surgical technologist can suture patients closed if they go back and train as a first assistant. CST-FA

[sokrzy619]

YES YES YES YES YES!! Thankyouu for this videoo :3

[Tcjunior18]

You plan on getting your CFA or SA-C? I want to go for my SA-C and then PA-C sooner down the line

[SurgTechCST]

@Tcjunior18 Yeah I'm thinking about getting my CFA because RN and working in surgery is just wayyyy to much paperwork ha.

[Tcjunior18]

Well Idk you could work for a specific Dr. that may allow you to suture, but your not suspose to, I general love Neuro and Cardio, General surgeries, it just depends.

[Tcjunior18]

Are you Aloud to Suture as a CST, cause My Policy in the CST Scope of practice says we can't unless you are a CFA or RNFA or SA-C or PA-C

[SurgTechCST]

@Tcjunior18 You can take some courses, learn and be able to suture but usually in a hospital setting they will not let you as a CST. If you work for certain Doctors per say in a surgery center they can teach you if they wanted to and you can do interrupted sutures and other things but mainly they will suture because that is what the patient will see and if it is sloppy it could cause anxieties for the patient. If you are a CFA or anything like that then yes you can suture.

[legitpaige]

Thanks for posting this! where did you go to school to get certified and do you recommend any schools?

[umz360]

Thanks for the info, that sounds great! 

[umz360]

Thank you so much for posting this, great info you shared! I'm going to be starting a surg tech program next year after I finish my pre-reqs this year. Was being one on one with the patient the only reason you chose to specialize in plastic surgery and podiatry? Is the money generally better if you specialize? I'd love to see more videos on this, like what work life is like, things to focus on in school that you use everyday, and your experience getting a job after school. Thank you again!

[SurgTechCST]

@umz360 Hey, when I say specialize mainly I work in a surgery center that only does plastics and podiatry. If you work in a surgery center usually you can be paid a lot more and you're the only CST there and you do more then just one job you are the CST SPD(sterile processing) and order all the drugs and equipment. It is a great place to get a lot of experience. Thanks for the ideas when I have time I will post what saved me on all my lab and diadatic finals in school!

[TheMauralong]

Im going to school for this right now! =]