Question: I read your response to Joan about echocardiographers and sonographers with interest since I am an entry level nurse's aide and want to look into other, better, jobs in healthcare. I have the time and resources to engage in short-term training but unlike Joan, I am not afraid of dealing with the blood and gore aspects of nursing/medicine. I am considering becoming a surgical technician. What would I need to do? What is the job like?
—Angela

Response: Surgical technicians, sometimes called operating room technicians (ORT), assist members of the operating room surgical teams, before, during and after surgery. Under the direct supervision of a surgical team supervisor, or a registered nurse, they assist in getting the operating room set up with equipment, including instruments, sterile linen, and intravenous fluid preparations that might be needed.

ORTs transport patients to the operating room and help prepare them for surgery. Then, during surgery, they pass instruments, sponges and other sterile items to members of the surgical team and continually maintain the supply of these items. They must be able to operate sterilizers, suction devices, lights and other pieces of equipment, help collect and handle specimens and help apply dressings. ORT's transport patients to the recovery room and assist in cleaning, sterilizing and restocking the operating room for the next surgery.

Employment Outlook:
Much faster than average growth is projected through 2008. Although graduates of surgical technician training programs have better qualifications, many openings are filled by training and promoting nurse aides, like you.

Salary Range:

SURGICAL TECHNICIAN
projected 2002 annual salaries in the Los Angeles area according to Economic Research Institute:
YEARS EXPERIENCE 10th PERCENTILE TIME SERIES MEDIAN 90th PERCENTILE
10 $ 30,925 $ 33,789 $ 39,859
5 $ 27,689 $ 30,230 $ 35,689
1 $ 24,031 $ 26,206 $ 30,974

Training Options and Costs:
Currently all surgical technicians receive training in either a vocational school, hospital or community college. The program must be accredited by the American Medical Association's Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA). Hospital work experience is highly recommended. Licensing or certification is not required in California, however Certified Surgical Technicians (CST) are regarded as competent and command higher salaries.

Licensing:
Upon graduation from the training program, students are eligible to apply for certification by the Liaison Council on Certification of Surgical Technologists. The Liaison Council certifies Surgical Technologists who pass a comprehensive written examination. The exam is offered year round, and the application fee is $45 for Association of Surgical Technologist (AST) members or $50 for non-members. The testing fee is $100 for AST members or $200 for non-members. Technicians can call the Liaison Council to apply for the examination, and upon the Liaison Council's approval, they can schedule a date to take the exam. Continuing education or reexamination is required to maintain certification, which must be renewed every 6 years.

Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist (LCC-ST)
7790 East Arapahoe Road, Suite 240
Englewood, Colorado 80112-1274
(303) 694-9264 (800) 707-0057
www.lcc-st.org
Training Programs:
Concorde Career Institute - D
Contact: KeithOrloff , CST
12412 Victory Boulevard
North Hollywood , CA91606-3134
Phone: 818-766-8151 x 251
Fax: 818-766-1587
www.concordecareers.com
Program length: 48 weeks. Degree offered: Diploma. Students also participate in 800 hours of clinical rotations served at area hospitals. Approximately $15,000 for the total program.

Glendale Career College
Contact: Connie Bell, CST
1015 Grandview Avenue
Glendale , CA91201
Phone: 818-243-1131
Fax: 818-243-6028
www.success.edu
Program length: 14 Months Degree offered: D, estimate $16,000 for the surgical technologist program. This college is unique in that it deals mainly with rehab people and then the cost of the program is negotiated on an individual basis.
Loma Linda University
Contact: RobertWilkins
School of Allied Health Professions
Department of Cardiopulmary Sciences
Nichol Hall, Room 1926
Loma Linda , CA 92354
Phone: 909-558-4932
Fax: 909-558-4701
www.llu.edu
Program length: 11 months. The program in surgical technology, leading to the Associate in Sciences degree, is based on one year of prerequisites (certain subject requirements) that may be completed at any accredited college or university. The applicant must have completed a minimum of 48 quarter (32 semester) units at an accredited college or university.
Simi Valley Adult School and Career Institute
(805) 579-6200
www.simi.tec.ca.us
This school offers a one year, full-time program in Surgical Technology, which is accredited by the American Medical Association and the Association of Surgical Technologists. A course in Anatomy and Physiology is required for entry into the program and must be completed before applying for the program.

Cost: Total Program, including books and supplies: $2,700
California Paramedical and Technical College
3745 Long Beach Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90807-3377
(562) 426-9359
4550 La Sierra Avenue
Riverside, CA 92505-2907
(909) 687-9006
www.pe.net/~compcptc/
This private vocational school offers an AMA approved Surgical Technologist program, which meets four hours per day, five days a week for 12 months. Cost: $15,995

Professional Association:
Association of Surgical Technologists
7108-C South Alton Way, Suite #150
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 694-9130
www.ast.org
Membership fees: $80 per year for active and associate members, $45 for student members per year.

— • —  
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

You may e-mail questions to swmcareer@aol.com.