How to Become a Scrub Tech: A Complete Guide

A Scrub Tech, also known as a Surgical Technologist or Operating Room Technician, is a key player in the surgical team, responsible for preparing the operating room, sterilizing equipment, and assisting surgeons during procedures. This career path offers a rewarding blend of hands-on medical work and the opportunity to contribute directly to patient care. If you’re interested in becoming a scrub tech, here’s a step-by-step guide.

1. Understand the Role of a Scrub Tech

Before diving into the education and certification process, it’s essential to understand what a scrub tech does. As part of the surgical team, your responsibilities will include:

• Preparing the operating room: Setting up instruments, equipment, and sterile drapes.
• Assisting during surgery: Passing instruments and supplies to the surgeon, maintaining sterile conditions, and handling specimens.
• Post-operative care: Helping in the clean-up and ensuring the patient is transferred safely to recovery.
• Sterilizing and organizing: Maintaining and ensuring that surgical instruments and supplies are sterile before the operation.

2. Complete High School or GED

To start your journey as a scrub tech, you’ll need at least a high school diploma or GED. Basic subjects like biology, chemistry, and math are valuable in this field, as they lay the foundation for the skills and knowledge required in medical settings.

3. Enroll in a Surgical Technologist Program

The next step is to enroll in a surgical technologist training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). These programs are typically offered at community colleges, vocational schools, or specialized healthcare schools.

• Duration: Programs typically take 12 to 24 months to complete and lead to either a certificate or an associate degree.
• Coursework: You’ll study subjects such as anatomy, physiology, surgical procedures, sterilization techniques, and medical ethics.
• Clinical Experience: Programs often include clinical rotations, giving you hands-on experience in a real hospital setting under the supervision of experienced healthcare professionals.

4. Get Certified

While certification is not required in all states, many employers prefer or require scrub techs to be certified. The most recognized certification is the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), which is offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). To earn this certification, you must:

• Graduate from an accredited surgical technologist program.
• Pass the CST exam, which covers all aspects of surgical technology, including sterilization procedures, anatomy, and surgical techniques.

Alternatively, you can pursue certification through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), which offers the Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C) credential.

5. State Licensing

Some states require scrub techs to be licensed. This typically involves completing an accredited program and passing a certification exam. Be sure to check your state’s specific requirements through your state’s Board of Health or similar licensing authority.

6. Gain Experience

Once certified, you can begin working in hospitals, outpatient centers, and other healthcare facilities. Your role will be critical in ensuring a sterile and well-organized surgical environment. Here’s where you can start:

• Hospitals: Most scrub techs work in hospital operating rooms, where the majority of surgeries take place.
• Outpatient or Ambulatory Surgery Centers: These centers offer scheduled procedures and are often less hectic than hospitals.
• Specialty Clinics: Some surgical technologists work in clinics specializing in areas like plastic surgery or ophthalmology.
• Traveling Surgical Tech: Some positions offer travel opportunities, where you work temporarily in different hospitals around the country.

7. Advance Your Career

After gaining experience, you may choose to further your career by:

• Becoming a First Assistant: First assistants work closely with surgeons, helping with more complex tasks such as suturing wounds or controlling bleeding.
• Specializing: You can specialize in areas such as cardiovascular surgery, orthopedics, or neurosurgery, gaining expertise in a specific field.
• Pursuing Further Education: Some surgical technologists go on to become registered nurses (RNs) or surgical assistants, further advancing their roles in the operating room.

8. Job Outlook and Salary

The demand for surgical technologists is expected to grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The aging population and increased need for surgeries, such as joint replacements, will continue to drive demand for surgical techs.

• Average Salary: The median annual salary for a surgical technologist was $48,530 as of May 2021, according to the BLS. Salaries can vary depending on location, experience, and the type of facility where you work.

9. Continuing Education

Once you’ve become a certified surgical technologist, it’s important to keep your skills and knowledge up to date. To maintain your certification, you’ll need to:

• Complete continuing education credits every 4 years.
• Recertify by examination if required.

Continuing education ensures you’re staying current with the latest surgical techniques and technology advancements, keeping you competitive in the field.

Conclusion

Becoming a scrub tech is an excellent career choice for individuals who want to work in healthcare, assist with surgeries, and make a difference in patients’ lives. With relatively short educational requirements and a strong job outlook, surgical technologists enjoy rewarding, hands-on work with opportunities for advancement. By following these steps—completing a surgical technologist program, earning certification, and gaining experience—you can build a successful career in this critical and fulfilling role.