The fast-paced world of hospitals and surgery centers rely on the surgical team to ensure safe and successful outcomes. Every surgery depends on a precise, highly coordinated team. Two crucial roles often confused with each other are Surgical Technologists and Surgical Technicians. While their titles sound similar and some of the responsibilities may overlap, the training, scope of responsibilities, credentialing and career paths differ in important ways. Let’s break down the primary differences.
- Education and Training
- Surgical Technologists: Surgical technologists undergo extension training, including earning an associate degree like the one offered at several Pima Medical Institute locations. Pima Medical is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). This education path includes broader curriculum and more in-depth coverage of subjects like anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, surgical procedures and hands-on practical skills.
- Surgical Technicians: Surgical technicians, on the other hand, typically undergo a shorter educational program focused on basic skills required to assist in surgeries.
- Responsibilities in the Operating Room
- Surgical Technologists:
- Assist the surgical team by ensuring the operating room is properly set up and sterile.
- Prepare and arrange surgical instruments and equipment.
- Assemble complex surgical instruments, operating diagnostic equipment all while ensuring that the operating room environment remains sterile throughout the procedure.
- Additionally, surgical technologists may assist with applying dressings and transporting patients to and from the operating room.
- Surgical Technicians:
- Prepare and arrange surgical instruments and equipment.
- Assist with passing instruments to the surgeons and nurses.
- More limited or supportive role under supervision with less responsibility for complex setups or advanced technologies.
- Surgical Technologists:
- Certification and Credentialing
- Surgical Technologists:
- The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) is widely recognized and often a prerequisite for employment.
- Ongoing continuing education is usually required to maintain credentials.
- Graduates of Pima Medical’s program will be prepared to take the national exam.
- Surgical Technicians:
- Certification is not always mandatory for surgical technicians, but some employers or states may require it.
- Many technicians also choose to become certified, or use their position as a pathway toward becoming a technologist.
- Surgical Technologists:
- Career Advancement
- Surgical Technologists:
- Can pursue roles in leadership, teaching or even transition to related fields like surgical assisting or healthcare management.
- Furthering education can also open doors to opportunities for leadership roles and greater responsibilities.
- Higher earning potential due to greater responsibilities and complexity of tasks.
- Surgical Technicians
- Often an entry-level role; advancement may require additional training or moving into technologist track.
- Opportunity to grow, but likely requires taking on more education or credentialing.
- Surgical Technologists:
Surgical Technology Program Director, Josephine Williams-Cody, explains a typical day in the life of a surgical technologist.
While surgical technicians and surgical technologists share the goal of supporting surgical teams, the differences in education, credentials, responsibilities and career opportunities truly set the two roles apart. If you are looking for a rewarding career as a critical member of the surgical team, check out Pima Medical Institute. We offer the Surgical Technologist associate degree program at our Chula Vista, Denver, Phoenix, Seattle and Tucson campuses.
