14 Pros and Cons of Being a Surgical Technician

Surgical technicians perform important duties in the operating room that include assisting with surgical procedures.

They provide support services to nurses and surgeons, including arranging and passing surgical instruments to operating room nurses and doctors.

Keeping families informed and comforting patients before surgery are some other things that surgical technicians do as part of their job duties.

Working in the medical field as a surgical technician gives people a way to work in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

It has its rewards, but also drawbacks.

Consider these pros and cons of being a surgical technician to help you decide if this field is an ideal career choice for you.

Pros of Being a Surgical Technician

Working as a surgical technician has several advantages for people who want to have a healthcare career.

1. No Medical Degree Is Required

Some people never achieve their dream of working in an operating room because it takes a long time to become a surgeon.

Earning college degrees, completing medical school, and completing a residency program take several years.

Surgical technicians do not have to go to medical school or complete a bachelor’s degree program.

Many colleges and vocational schools offer surgical technician programs.

Complete a surgical technician certificate program in as little as 12 months.

Check the programs in your area, and you may find a program that you can complete in even less time.

Some students enroll in an associate degree program.

2. Variety of Job Duties

Surgical technicians perform various duties that may change, depending on the surgical procedure, the needs of the surgeon or nurses, and where surgical technicians work.

People who work as surgical technicians do not sit at a desk all day staring at a computer screen or performing repetitive tasks.

Surgical technicians set up surgical instruments and equipment.

They count the instruments and tools before and after surgical procedures.

They prepare patients for surgery, transport them to the operating room, and assist during surgical procedures.

Surgical technicians provide other support in the operating room.

One example is that they may take specimens or tissue samples from patients.

3. Little to No Experience Required

The experience that surgical technicians must have depends on individual employers.

New surgical technicians want to check the experience requirements carefully before they apply for jobs.

Many surgical technicians receive comprehensive on-the-job training after they get hired by a healthcare facility or by a surgical clinic or practice.

They still need to meet the educational requirements for the job.

4. Interacting with a Variety of People

Surgical technicians regularly interact with surgeons, nurses, and other members of healthcare teams.

They communicate with patients before and after they have surgery.

Surgical technicians also interact with family members while their loved one is in surgery and when they come out of surgery.

5. Earn a Good Salary

Sources vary when they list the average salary for surgical technicians.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the average salary for surgical technologists as being $62,480.

They do not list a separate category for surgical technicians.

Several other sources indicate the average salary range of surgical technicians as being $55,900 to $74,522.

Surgical technicians who complete a training program, earn continuing education credits, and have experience are likely to earn a higher salary.

6. Career Advancement Opportunities

Surgical technicians are not stuck in a dead-end job.

They have several opportunities for career advancement.

Consider working towards becoming a surgical technician lead or working in a supervisor position.

Some surgical technicians advance their career opportunities by completing the required training to work as surgical assistants.

The career advancement opportunities will vary by employer.

7. Great Work Environment

People who work in some careers may struggle to find or maintain employment.

Surgical technicians are likely to find a good job anywhere across the U.S.

Consider whether you want your work environment to be in a large hospital, a private hospital, a clinic, or an outpatient surgery center.

Cons of Being a Surgical Technician

Considering the cons of being a surgical technician is an important part of deciding whether to work in this career.

1.  Often Confused with Another Job Title

The job title of surgical technician is often used interchangeably with another job title.

Surgical technologists are not the same as surgical technicians.

They both perform duties in the operating room.

They both interact with the operating room staff.

Surgical technicians are thought of as not having to attend school or training programs as long as surgical technologists.

That depends on the employer’s requirements.

Some institutions may require surgical technicians to earn a nursing degree.

Looking for things like salary or job opportunities may not seem easy because so many sources use the two job titles interchangeably.

Some articles even use both job titles when describing one or the other, but not both careers.

Aspiring surgical technicians need to make sure that they know the correct educational requirements and the salary for surgical technicians, not surgical technologists.

2. Long Work Hours

Anyone who has ever had surgery likely knows that there can be delays in getting to the operating room or that the surgery can last longer than they were told it would last.

Things can occur that can cause minor surgeries or optional procedures to be delayed because of emergencies or other reasons.

Busy hospitals perform surgeries day and night.

Emergency room personnel may have patients come in who have been injured or who have a medical situation that requires immediate surgery.

Surgical technicians may have to work longer than their scheduled shift.

They may have to come in to work on their day off if there is a need for them to do so.

3. Safety and Health Risks

Surgical technicians are trained to properly sterilize medical instruments and to use them properly in the operating room.

Accidents occasionally happen, which may pose a risk of injury to surgical technicians.

There is a risk of exposure to bodily fluids, hazardous materials, or airborne pathogens, which requires surgical technicians to wear protective equipment such as gowns and gloves.

4. Certification and Licensure Requirements

Several states do not require surgical technicians to obtain a certification.

Some states require them to obtain a license or a certification.

The certification or licensure requirements are another area where people who want to become surgical technicians learn the requirements for their state.

One main reason is that this is another example of sources using the job titles of surgical technician and surgical technologist interchangeably.

Know the requirements for surgical technicians, not surgical technologists.

The education and training that students complete to become surgical technicians do not end the day that they get a job.

They must complete continuing education and training requirements throughout their career.

5. Lack of Career Advancement Opportunities

Sometimes, a pro can also be a con of working in a certain career.

Advancing their career is not always easy for surgical technicians.

It is easier to advance their career when surgical technicians complete additional training or education programs.

Employers that require surgical technicians to complete a nursing degree may offer better opportunities for career advancement.

6. Physical Demands of the Job

The physical demands of the job may not appeal to everyone who considers becoming a surgical technician.

They transport patients to the operating room, which may require moving patients and moving heavy beds from hospital rooms to operating rooms.

They also move equipment, such as medical carts.

Surgical technicians may move equipment that is required for specific procedures.

Surgical technicians must stand on their feet for long periods.

Some surgeries only take a short time, while others take several hours.

Surgical technicians also spend a long time walking throughout the hospital or other medical facility.

7. Working Under Pressure

Anyone who wants to become a surgical technician needs to be able to remain calm when working under pressure.

Performing duties under intense operating room conditions, interacting with patients and their family members, and working in a fast-paced healthcare environment all require that surgical technicians remain calm during surgeries and when performing other job duties.

Pros and Cons of Being a Surgical Technician – Summary Table

Should You Become a Surgical Technician?

Becoming a surgical technician is a great career choice for people who want to work in healthcare but do not want to attend medical school.

The shorter education and training requirements often appeal to individuals who want to work in operating rooms.

The job security, the salary, and being able to interact with various people are some reasons that people choose this career.

They may have career advancement opportunities if they complete additional education and training.

It is important to know the licensure and certification requirements for surgical technicians in your state.

Be prepared to work in an exciting, yet challenging environment when you become a surgical technician.