How to Become a Surgical Tech in Ohio

In Ohio, surgical teams are consistently prepared to respond promptly, particularly during emergency situations.

These teams are composed of various professionals, including:

• Surgeons
• Anesthesia specialist
• Surgical nurse
• Surgical technician

Their collaboration begins before the operation initiates and extends beyond its completion.

Notably, these healthcare professionals are recognized by various names, such as operating room (OR) techs and scrub techs.

Surgical Technologist Roles and Responsibilities

Surgical technologists in Ohio undertake a spectrum of crucial responsibilities during their shifts, including:

• Preparing patients for surgery
• Safely transporting patients to and from the operating room
• Setting up the operating room with surgical instruments and necessary supplies
• Maintaining a meticulous instrument count throughout the surgical procedure
• Assisting the surgeon by providing necessary medical instruments
• Participating in closing wounds and applying bandages to patients

It’s essential to understand that this list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, given the broader scope of duties these medical professionals perform.

Training and Education for Surgical Technologists

To become a surgical technologist in Ohio, you must follow a structured process, commencing with obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a GED.

Subsequent steps involve enrolling in a specialized training program that necessitates both formal education and hands-on clinical training.

These training programs are offered at various institutions across Ohio and typically encompass core courses such as:

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

Let’s delve into some of the educational institutions in Ohio that provide such programs:

Bevill State Community College

The program offered by Bevill State Community College covers a range of crucial subjects, including but not limited to:

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

Classes are conducted on-campus within the college premises.

Aspiring students must meet specific admission prerequisites, which include having a high school diploma or GED, passing the Accuplacer placement exam, and fulfilling other specified criteria.

While not mandatory, military service is taken into consideration, and having previous medical-related experience is advantageous.

Health insurance enrollment is required, and students must complete a minimum of 120 clinical cases, with at least 30 in General Surgery and 20 in the first scrub role.

Additionally, students need to meet specific criteria related to ACT scores or Accuplacer scores in writing and math.

The program encompasses a total of 29 credits.

Owens Community College

In Toledo, students have the option to enroll in an accredited surgical technology program at Owens Community College.

This college has a selective admissions process.

Beyond traditional classroom instruction, students actively engage in a hands-on clinical rotation, completing a minimum of 120 cases within various local hospitals.

Cuyahoga Community College

Cuyahoga Community College offers a surgical technology program leading to an associate degree.

It allows students to complete the curriculum in a two-year timeframe, which includes a summer term dedicated to clinical training.

This comprehensive program comprises 61 total credits, and Ohio residents can expect tuition costs of $6,400.

Cincinnati State Community College

Cincinnati State Community College presents an associate degree program in surgical technology.

It encompasses 65 credits and is attainable within two years when pursued on a full-time basis.

The curriculum includes valuable clinical experiences within nearby hospitals.

Certification for Surgical Technologists in Ohio

While certification is not legally required for surgical technologists in Ohio, many employers prefer candidates with certification.

Several certifying bodies provide certifications in this field:

• 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 certifications, the NBSTSA certification is highly reputable and nationally recognized.

Testing centers for these certification exams can be found in various cities across Ohio.

The certification exam consists of 200 questions, and a minimum of 119 correct answers is required to pass.

It’s important to note that there is an associated fee for taking the exam, with different rates for Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) members and non-AST members.

Certified surgical technologists must renew their certification every four years.

This can be achieved through either retaking the certification exam, which involves repaying the exam fee or by completing continuing education classes.

During this period, they must earn 60 education credits for renewal, along with a renewal fee.

Surgical Technologist Salary in Ohio

While it may not be the most glamorous profession, considering the potential income is important when pursuing a career as a surgical technologist in Ohio.

On average, an operating room (OR) tech in Ohio can earn an annual salary of approximately $50,500.

The table below provides an overview of the cities in Ohio where these professionals earn higher salaries compared to the rest of the state.

Regional Salary in Ohio

Surgical Tech Programs by State