Surgical Technology at a Glance

What does a surgical technologist do?

• Assists surgeons in the operating room as a key player making a difference in the lives of patients
• Prepares the operating room for surgery
• Performs scrubbing, gowning and gloving in preparation for surgery
• Creates and maintains the sterile field for passing instruments and handling specimens
• Assists the surgeon with retracting patients’ tissues and wound closure
• Works closely with instruments, operating physicians and medical support team in the operating room, but has limited direct verbal contact with patients who are under anesthesia

 What is the career outlook?

• 40-hour week typical; on-call and rotating shifts possible
• Job opportunities available in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, doctors’ offices, veterinarians’ offices, transplant services, community colleges and technical schools
• In Texas: 26 percent projected job growth through 2020; median salaries $19.32 per hour or $40,200 annually*, with additional pay for evening, night and weekend schedules
  In Dallas County: median salaries $18.56 per hour or $38,600 annually*

Statistics are included only as guidelines and will vary with fluctuations in the economy and job market. More specific local hiring and salary information can be obtained at college information sessions.

Surgical Technology program

Who can help me decide which health science career is right for me?

Contact the Health Careers Resource Center.

What more do I need to know?

• Acceptance to the Surgical Technology program is by a competitive selection process based on a weighted point system.
• Learn more about Surgical Technology.

*America’s Career Infonet 2011 data for surgical technologists
**Licensure Data Reporting System from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board 2009-2010
***Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Perkins 2009-2010