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The surgery room is staffed with a dedicated team prepared to respond promptly, especially during critical situations.
This team comprises:
- Surgeons
- Anesthesia specialist
- Surgical nurse
- Surgical technician
Operating room (OR) techs and scrub techs are alternative titles for surgical techs.
Their collaboration extends from the preoperative phase to the conclusion of the surgery itself.
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Job Description and Responsibilities of Surgical Technologists
Surgical technologists carry out a range of responsibilities during their shifts:
- Preparing patients for surgery
- Transporting patients to and from the OR
- Preparing the OR with surgical equipment and supplies
- Monitoring the instrument count throughout surgery
- Handing the surgeon medical instruments
- Closing wounds and bandaging patients
This list is not exhaustive and there are additional responsibilities that fall under the purview of these medical professionals.
Training and Education for Surgical Technologists
Surgical technologists are regulated not by an institution, but by their employers.
However, the path to this career is not without its requirements, so let’s delve deeper into the process.
To embark on your journey as a surgical technologist, you’ll begin with a high school diploma or a GED.
Subsequently, you will enroll in a specialized training program tailored to this profession.
It’s essential to recognize that this role demands a combination of educational and clinical training.
Numerous institutions offer such programs throughout New Hampshire, each with its own admission criteria.
However, several share common coursework, including microbiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.
Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and/or basic life support (BLS) and/or automated external defibrillator (AED) operation is also typically required.
Bevill State Community College 
This program encompasses various subjects, including sterile processing, infection control, sterilization, instrumentation identification, and safety.
Classes are conducted within the college campus.
To be eligible for enrollment at Bevill State Community College, you must meet specific prerequisites, such as holding a high school diploma or GED, passing the Accuplacer placement exam, fulfilling other requirements, and potentially completing military service.
While military service is not compulsory, it is taken into consideration.
Prior experience in a medical-related field, if available, is beneficial.
Students are also required to possess health insurance.
Clinical experience plays a crucial role, and you must complete at least 120 clinical cases, with a minimum of 30 in general surgery, including 20 in the first scrub role.
Furthermore, meeting certain academic benchmarks is necessary, such as one of the following:
- 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
The program encompasses a total of 29 credits.
Calhoun Community College 
It offers a training program with a duration of roughly two years or four semesters.
The program includes classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical training.
Aspiring students seeking an AAS degree at this college must complete an additional 18 credit hours in general education.
The admission process involves applying online, attending a program information session, completing a Manual Dexterity Exam, and meeting the college’s admission requirements.
Concord Hospital 
The program at Concord Hospital awards a Surgical Technology Certificate that can be successfully completed in one year.
Aspiring students are required to meet specific criteria for admission.
These include:
- A pre-entrance interview conducted by program officials,
- Submission of three references,
- The successful passage of a criminal background check.
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center 
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center offers a comprehensive 11-month certificate program in surgical technology.
This program maintains a selective admission policy, accepting only a limited cohort of 10 students annually.
Tuition for this program is set at $8,000, and students should also budget for additional expenses, including books and fees, which amount to approximately $1,200.
Great Bay Community College 
Great Bay Community College provides an Associate’s Degree in Surgical Technology, which includes the opportunity for students to sit for the national certification exam as an integral part of the curriculum.
This comprehensive program is designed to be completed in two years, ensuring that students receive a thorough education in surgical technology.
The total cost of tuition for this program is approximately $15,000, encompassing all necessary educational expenses.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Concord Hospital Surgical Technology Certificate | 250 Pleasant Street Concord, NH 03301 |
| Calhoun Community College | online |
| Great Bay Community College | 320 Corporate Dr, Portsmouth, NH 03801 |
| Bevill State Community College | online |
| Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center | 1 Medical Center Dr, Lebanon, NH 03756 |
Becoming a Certified Surgical Technologist in New Hampshire
Although surgical technologists are not legally obligated to obtain certification, many employers prefer to hire certified individuals.
Several certifying bodies offer certifications for this profession, including:
- National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA)
- Provides 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)
- Provides the Tech in Surgery Certification
Among these, the NBSTSA’s certification is particularly reputable and nationally recognized.
The certification examination, offered by the NBSTSA, consists of 200 questions, and candidates must answer a minimum of 119 correctly to pass.
To sit for the exam, candidates must pay an associated fee, which is $190 for members of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) and $290 for non-AST members.
Certification renewal is required every four years and can be achieved through two methods:
- Retaking the certification exam (which includes repaying the exam fee)
- Completing continuing education courses, which demand 60 education credits during the renewal period.
Renewal also necessitates a fee payment.
Surgical Technologist Salary
In New Hampshire, an operating room (OR) technician can earn an annual salary of approximately $52,100.
The following table illustrates the cities in New Hampshire where these professionals tend to earn higher salaries.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Merrimack | $55,800 |
| Amherst | $55,800 |
| Temple | $55,500 |
| Pelham | $55,500 |
| Derry | $54,200 |
| Salem | $54,900 |
| Troy | $54,000 |
| Sandown | $53,800 |
| Swanzey | $53,700 |
| Bedford | $52,800 |
Regional Salary in New Hampshire
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover-Durham, NH-ME | 40 | $66,830 | $32.13 | $79,720 | $55,950 |
| Manchester, NH | 90 | $66,680 | $32.06 | $78,520 | $53,960 |
| Portsmouth, NH-ME | 80 | $62,310 | $29.96 | $80,370 | $38,940 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Surgical Tech From New Hampshire Choose a Specialty?
YES!
Just like surgeons can choose to operate on a specific body part, so can these techs.
Here are the most commonly chosen surgery niches:
- General surgery,
- Ob/gyn,
- Urology,
- Plastics,
- Neurology
Where Do Surgical Technologists from New Hampshire Find Work?
These technologists usually work in a hospital’s surgery wing.
Furthermore, these other places also hire such specialists:
- Children’s hospitals
- Cosmetic surgery centers
- Specialty clinics for surgical procedures
What Sills Do I Need To Work As A Surgical Tech in New Hampshire?
Here are the most important skills this profession requires:
- Able to work as part of a team
- Detail-oriented
- Take direction
- Understanding medical terms
- Understanding medical methodology
- Good communication skills
Read the full guide: How to Become a Surgical Technologist
Surgical Tech Programs by State