Additional Information
You can give yourself a good start on a career as a surgical technologist
while you're still in high school by taking courses like health, biology,
chemistry and mathematics.
You can be trained as a surgical technologist in formal programs offered
by community and junior colleges, vocational schools, universities, hospitals
and the military.
Programs last nine to 24 months and lead to a certificate, diploma or associate's
degree. Some include hospital internships.
Bob Caruthers is the deputy executive director of the Association of Surgical
Technologists (AST). He says he was involved in a study that found the only
significant predictor of success in health sciences was how students did in
introductory anatomy.
"And that's even more important for surgical techs," he says. "Everything
revolves around anatomy. Get as much science background as you can."
After graduation, American technologists may obtain voluntary professional
certification from the Liaison Council on Certification. They may then use
the certified surgical technologist, or CST, designation.