Also called: Scrub Tech, Operating Room Technician
Prepares the operating room and hands surgeons instruments during operations.
Lays out hundreds of sterile instruments in a precise order, anticipates what the surgeon will need next ('scalpel' before they ask), and keeps everything sterile. The military trains many surgical techs.
BLS May 2024.
Certificate, about 1 year after high school. Certificate or associate degree in surgical technology (1-2 years) plus certification (CST).
Ways in: Certification, 2-year college, Military. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Surgical Technology.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Instrument-tracking scanners and robot setups add tech; anticipating the surgeon and keeping the field sterile stay hands-on.
Classes: Anatomy & physiology, Biology, Health science CTE, Medical terminology.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-2055.
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