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.

Virginia Surgical Technician Schools

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:

  • Chattanooga State Community College: The surgical technology program at Chattanooga State awards graduates a Diploma upon completion of the program. The curriculum is scheduled over three semesters in the fall, spring, and summer of a single academic year. Graduates of the program are qualified to sit for national certification exams.

  • Concorde Career College: The Concorde surgical technology program offers both a degree and a diploma option. The diploma track takes approximately 48 weeks to complete, and the degree program takes approximately 68 weeks. Both programs qualify graduates to sit for certification exams.

  • Fortis Institute: The surgical technology program at the Fortis Institute is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and therefore qualifies its graduates to take the commission's certification exams upon completion of the program.

  • Northeast State Community College: The surgical technology program at Northeast State is a three-semester program that functions as a concentration added to an allied health degree. Admission to the program is selective, and applicants must complete pre-requisite courses in biology, medical terminology, public speaking, math, English compositions, health professions, and psychology prior to application.

  • Walters State Community College: The Walters State program results in an Associate of Applied Science degree, and it adds 17 hours of general education requirements to the 43 hours of surgical technology concentration coursework. Admission to the program is selective.

  • Virginia College of Applied Technology: This is a three-trimester program that awards a Diploma to graduates. The program includes a 120-case clinical practicum and typically takes 12 months to complete.

  • Miller-Motte Technical College: The Miller-Motte program culminates in an Associate of Applied Science degree and usually takes two years to complete. It includes training in surgical techniques and a clinical practicum.

What to Expect from Virginia Surgical Technician Schools

Surgical technology programs in Virginia provide training in medical, surgical, and health care related subjects, including:

  • Clinical practice
  • Patient care
  • Surgical techniques
  • Pathophysiology
  • Psychology
  • Medical terminology
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Microbiology
  • Anesthesia and pharmacology

Most programs also require coursework in general education subjects, including:

  • English
  • Communications
  • Math and Computers

Virginia Surgical Technician License

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.

Resources for Surgical Technicians in Virginia

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Metro Areas Rated for Popularity for:
Surgical Technologists

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
Charlottesville100$48,980
Richmond360$51,260
LynchburgN/A$42,790
Roanoke190$37,310

Sources:

  1. Surgical Technology, Chattanooga State Community College, https://www.chattanoogastate.edu/surgical-technology
  2. Surgical Technology, Concorde Career College, http://www.concorde.edu/program/surgical-technologist-memphis-tennessee
  3. Surgical Technology, Fortis Institute, https://www.fortis.edu/campuses/tennessee/nashville/3354-perimeter-hill-dr-nashville-tn/surgical-technology.aspx
  4. Surgical Technology, Northeast State Community College, http://catalog.northeaststate.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=20&poid=4290
  5. Surgical Technology, Walters State Community College, http://catalog.ws.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=13&poid=2065&returnto=549
  6. Surgical Technology, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, https://tcatknoxville.edu/programs/surgical-technology
  7. Surgical Technology, Miller-Motte College, https://www.miller-motte.edu/campuses/clarksville-career-training/surgical-technology-program-clarksville

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