Surgical technologists, also sometimes called surgical technicians, work as part of a surgical team alongside surgeons, surgical nurses, anesthesiologists, and other surgical technologists. They are responsible for a variety of tasks in the surgical context, including ensuring a sterile environment and maintaining surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies. Surgical technologists are trained in technical areas regarding surgical equipment, and they must also have knowledge of surgical procedures, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, and microbiology.

West Virginia Surgical Technician Schools

Accredited surgical technology programs in West Virginia give graduates either a certificate or an associate degree upon completion of the program. Certificate programs are typically shorter in duration, and degree programs add additional coursework to the curriculum beyond basic surgical technology courses.

  • Carver Career and Technical Education Center: This program is an eleven-month course of study that culminates in a certificate. The program schedule begins in July and concludes in July of the following year; courses meet daily, and five-day-a-week clinical training begins in January. Graduates of the program are qualified to sit for certification exams.

  • James Rumsey Technical Institute: This program is a certificate program that is geared toward preparing participants to successfully complete the national Certified Surgical Technologist exams. Its curriculum includes courses in patient care concepts and ethics and professional standards.

  • Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College: The program at Southern West Virginia is a degree program that awards an Associate of Applied Science to its graduates. The program typically takes two years to complete, and it includes general education coursework in subjects such as English composition and math. Graduates of the program are qualified to sit for certification exams.

  • West Virginia Northern Community College: The West Virginia Northern program is a degree program, and its curriculum includes courses in English composition, psychology, math, computer applications, and communications.

  • West Virginia University Parkersburg: The Associate of Applied Science program at WVU is a four-semester program that typically takes two years to complete. Its general-education requirements include courses in math, English, and communications.

What to Expect from West Virginia Surgical Technician Schools

Participants in surgical technology programs in West Virginia can expect training in a range of medical/surgical subjects, including:

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

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

  • English composition
  • Public speaking
  • Mathematics

West Virginia Surgical Technician License

Surgical technologists do not need a state-issued license to work in the state of West Virginia, but in order to qualify for most job opportunities and to practice in the field, they must obtain professional certification. The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential is administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA); to qualify to sit for NBSTSA certification exams, applicants must have successfully completed a surgical technology training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Resources for Surgical Technicians in West 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
Charleston170$36,360
Beckley60$34,120
MorgantownN/A$33,760

Sources:

  1. Surgical Technology, Carver Career and Technical Education Center, http://carvercareercenter.edu/surgical-technician/
  2. Surgical Technology, James Rumsey Technical Institute, http://www.jamesrumsey.com/program/surgical-technology/
  3. Surgical Technology, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, http://www.southernwv.edu/?q=programs/surgical-technology
  4. Surgical Technology, West Virginia Northern Community College, http://www.wvncc.edu/programs-of-study/surgical-technology-a.a.s./509
  5. Surgical Technology, West Virginia University Parkersburg, http://www.wvup.edu/academics/academic-divisions/health-sciences/surgical-technology/

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