Surgical Tech Programs In Virginia

Surgical Tech Programs In Virginia

Are you interested in a career as a surgical technologist in Virginia? If so, you'll need to complete a surgical tech program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

There are several CAAHEP-accredited surgical tech programs in Virginia. These programs can be found at community colleges, technical schools, and universities. The programs typically take two years to complete and include both classroom and clinical instruction.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for surgical tech programs in Virginia vary from school to school. However, most programs require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent and to have completed certain prerequisite courses, such as anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.

Some programs may also require applicants to have a certain amount of healthcare experience. For example, the surgical tech program at Northern Virginia Community College requires applicants to have at least 200 hours of healthcare experience.

Curriculum

The curriculum for surgical tech programs in Virginia typically includes courses in the following areas:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Surgical procedures
• Sterilization and disinfection
• Patient care
• Ethics

Students in surgical tech programs also complete a clinical practicum, which allows them to gain hands-on experience in a surgical setting.

Career Outlook

The job outlook for surgical technologists in Virginia is expected to be good over the next few years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of surgical technologist jobs will grow by 12% from 2019 to 2029.

Surgical technologists can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and clinics. They can also work in the military.

Salary

The salary for surgical technologists in Virginia varies depending on their experience and location. However, the median salary for surgical technologists in Virginia is $52,250 per year.

Surgical technologists with more experience and those who work in high-paying areas can earn more than the median salary.

Continuing Education

Surgical technologists are required to complete continuing education courses to maintain their certification. The CAAHEP requires surgical technologists to complete 24 hours of continuing education every three years.

Continuing education courses can be found online, at conferences, and at workshops.

Professional Organizations

There are several professional organizations for surgical technologists, including the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) and the National Surgical Technologist Association (NSTA).

These organizations offer a variety of benefits to their members, including continuing education opportunities, networking opportunities, and job placement assistance.

Table of Surgical Tech Programs in Virginia