Key Points

• A Surgical Technician is a vital healthcare professional who prepares operating rooms, arranges sterile equipment, and assists doctors and nurses during surgical procedures.

• To work in Georgia as a surgical tech, you must graduate from an accredited surgical technology program and earn a national certification, which is the standard for employment.

• Surgical Technician certificate or diploma programs typically take 9 to 15 months, while an associate's degree takes about two years to complete.

• The median annual salary for a Surgical Technologist in Georgia is approximately $59,990.

• As of May 2024, there were approximately 6,550 Surgical Technologists employed in Georgia.

What is a Surgical Technician?

Surgical technicians, also known as operating room technicians, are healthcare professionals who assist surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other members of the surgical team during surgical procedures. Their primary responsibilities include preparing the operating room, sterilizing instruments, and passing instruments to the surgeon during the operation.

What does a Surgical Technician do?

The duties of a Surgical Technologist are focused, fast-paced, and critical to patient safety. Key responsibilities include:

• Creating and maintaining the sterile field in the operating room.
• Preparing the operating room by setting up sterile surgical instruments, drapes, and equipment.
• Performing a "surgical scrub" and putting on sterile gowns and gloves.
• Passing instruments, sponges, and other supplies to the surgeon during the procedure.
• Handling and preparing tissue specimens for laboratory analysis.
• Performing counts of sponges, needles, and instruments before and after surgery to ensure nothing is left behind.
• Assisting with cleaning and restocking the operating room after each procedure.

Requirements to Become a Surgical Technician in Georgia

To get hired at a top hospital or surgical center in Georgia, you'll need to meet the industry standards for this vital profession.

• Education: You must have a high school diploma or a GED.

• Accredited Education: You must successfully graduate from a surgical technology program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

• Professional Certification: While Georgia does not have a state license, holding a professional certification like the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) is a mandatory requirement for nearly every job in the field.

• Background Check: You must be able to pass a criminal background check to be eligible for clinical training and employment.

How to Become a Surgical Technician in Georgia

To become a Surgical Technician in Georgia, one must first complete an accredited educational program, typically an associate's degree. Next, they must obtain certification by passing the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam. Once certified, they can then search for job opportunities in hospitals, surgical centers, or other healthcare facilities to earn a competitive salary.

Here's a detailed step-by-step guide:

1. Meet the Foundational Requirements

Before you can enroll in a program, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Strong performance in science courses like biology and anatomy is highly beneficial. You will also need to be prepared to pass a background check and drug screening as required by all healthcare facilities for your clinical training.

2. Graduate from an Accredited Surgical Technologist Program

Enroll in a surgical technology program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES. Surgical technology classes will teach you about anatomy, medical terminology, surgical procedures, aseptic (sterile) techniques, and more. In clinical rotations you'll be in real operating rooms – accredited programs require students to scrub in on around 120 surgical cases across various specialties to build hands-on skills​.

3. Earn Your National Certification

In Georgia, certification isn't just a suggestion—it's the standard for employment. Earning this credential is the final step that qualifies you for a professional career.

How to Get a Surgical Technician Certification in Georgia?

To obtain the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential, you must:

• Graduate from your CAAHEP or ABHES-accredited program.

• Apply to take the CST examination administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

• Pass the comprehensive exam, which covers the foundational knowledge of aseptic technique, surgical procedures, and patient safety.

4. Apply for Surgical Tech Jobs and Start Your Career!

Update your résumé to highlight your surgical tech training, clinical rotation experience, and certification. Many surgical technologists in Georgia find work in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient clinics, or even physician offices that do in-house procedures. You can search job boards, hospital career websites, and attend healthcare job fairs. A great place to explore the specific skills employers look for is MyNextMove.org. Networking with instructors and colleagues from your program can uncover leads as well​!

Continued learning is important too – to maintain your CST certification, you’ll need to complete required continuing education or re-test every four years to stay up-to-date.