How to Become a Surgical Tech in Alaska

The surgical facility in Alaska is equipped with a team of skilled personnel ready to respond swiftly, particularly in emergency situations.

This group of professionals includes:

• Surgeons
• Anesthesia specialists
• Surgical nurses
• Surgical technicians

Their collaboration commences prior to the commencement of the surgical procedure and continues until its completion.

These individuals may also be referred to as operating room (OR) technicians or scrub technicians.

Job Description and Responsibilities of Surgical Technologists

Surgical technologists are responsible for a variety of tasks during their work shifts, which encompass:

• Preparing patients for surgery
• Transporting patients to and from the operating room
• Setting up the operating room with surgical equipment and supplies
• Monitoring instrument counts throughout the surgery
• Providing surgeons with medical instruments
• Assisting in wound closure and patient bandaging

It’s essential to note that these responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of a surgical technologist’s duties.

Training and Education for Surgical Technologists in Alaska

Surgical technologists in Alaska are not regulated by any specific institution; instead, they fall under the purview of their employers.

However, this doesn’t imply an easy path to this profession.

Here’s an overview of the process:

• Begin by obtaining a high school diploma or a GED.
• Enroll in a specialized training program designed for surgical technology.
  • These programs typically require a combination of classroom education and clinical training.

In Alaska, there are a few admission requirements common to all training schools:

• Completed application
• Copy of diploma or GED
• Transcripts
• Essay
• Background check form
• TB test form
• Application fee

Several institutions in Alaska offer such training.

Their enrollment requirements may vary slightly, but many of them share common prerequisites, including coursework in:

• Microbiology
• Pathophysiology
• Pharmacology
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Medical terminology
• CPR and/or BLS and/or AED certification

Bevill State Community College

This institution’s program covers various topics:

• Sterile processing,
• Infection control,
• Sterilization,
• Instrumentation identification
• Safety

To be accepted into the program, you must ensure you:

• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Pass the Accuplacer placement exam
• Meet the other requirements
• Complete their military service
  • This is not mandatory but it will be taken into consideration
• Having previous medical-related experience, if possible
• Have health insurance
• Completing at least 120 clinical cases
• Complete at least 30 cases in General Surgery, with 20 of them in the first scrub role

One of the following requirements is also mandatory:

• Minimum composite score of 16 on the ACT
• Minimum Writing score of 4 on Accuplacer or ENG 101
• Minimum Math – Elementary Algebra score of 200 on Accuplacer or MTH 116

By the end of the program, you’d have accumulated 29 credits.

University of Alaska

This school gives two options for those interested in Medical Assisting:

• A certificate program
• An Associate of Applied Science degree.

The certificate program can be finished within one year while completing the AAS degree requires a two-year commitment.

At the University of Alaska Southeast, they offer a one-year certificate program in medical assisting.

Charter College

This school also offers a certificate program in medical assisting, which boasts a swift completion time of less than one year.

This program incorporates a 180-hour externship at a local clinic or physician’s hospital to ensure you are well-prepared for a career in the field.

Calhoun Community College

Calhoun Community College provides a program lasting approximately two years or four semesters.

Students participate in classroom, lab, and clinical instruction.

To gain an AAS, you’ll need to complete an additional 18 general education credit hours.

Admission requirements include applying online, attending a program information session, and meeting the college’s specific criteria.

Certification for Surgical Technologists in Alaska

While certification is not legally required, many employers in Alaska prefer to hire certified surgical technologists.

Some of the certifying bodies for this profession include:

• National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA)
  • Offers the Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) qualification.
• National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
  • Provides the Certified Surgical Technologist/Certified First Assistant credential.
• National Center for Competency Training (NCCT)
  • Offers the Tech in Surgery Certification.

Among these, the NBSTSA certification is the most widely recognized with national acclaim.

Testing centers are available in various cities in Alaska.

The certification exam consists of 200 questions, with a passing score requiring a minimum of 119 correct answers.

There is an associated fee to take the exam, with different rates for members and non-members of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).

Certification renewal typically occurs every four years, and it can be achieved by:

• Either retaking the certification exam (which requires a fee)
• Or completing continuing education credits (60 credits during the renewal period) along with a renewal fee payment.

Surgical Technologist Salary in Alaska

While it may not be the most glamorous profession, it’s essential to consider the potential income.

In Alaska, an OR tech can earn an annual salary of approximately $56,000.

The following table highlights cities within Alaska where these professionals earn higher salaries compared to the state average.

Regional Salary in Alaska

Surgical Tech Programs by State