Surgical technicians, more commonly referred to as surgical technologists, assist surgical teams and work under the supervision of surgeons, surgical nurses, and anesthesiologists. Surgical technologists are responsible for the setup, handling, and maintenance of surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies. They are also responsible for the maintenance of the sterile field during surgical procedures, and they are trained in anatomy, physiology, and other relevant medical/surgical areas.
Accredited surgical technology programs in Virginia typically culminate in either a diploma or an associate degree. The two-year degrees add general-education coursework to the surgical technology curriculum, while diploma programs typically concentrate on professional training. Here are a few examples of schools in Virginia that offer programs in this area:
Surgical technology programs in Virginia provide training in medical, surgical, and health care related subjects, including:
Most programs also require coursework in general education subjects, including:
Virginia does not require licensing of surgical technologists. However, most jobs require that technologists be professional certified in order to qualify for employment. The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification is awarded by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to applicants who have completed a surgical technology training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and who successfully complete certification exams.
Listed below are metro areas ranked by the popularity of jobs for Surgical Technologists relative to the population of the city. Salary data was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
Metro Area | Jobs | Annual Median Salary |
---|---|---|
Charlottesville | 100 | $48,980 |
Richmond | 360 | $51,260 |
Lynchburg | N/A | $42,790 |
Roanoke | 190 | $37,310 |
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