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If you are a surgical technician who loves to travel, then a career as a travel surgical technician might be perfect for you. As a travel surgical technician, you get to work in different healthcare facilities across the country, gaining experience and exposure to various surgical procedures. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about becoming a travel surgical technician, including the job description, requirements, benefits, and much more.
What is a travel surgical technician?
A travel surgical technician is a certified surgical technologist who works on a contractual basis in various healthcare settings across the country. As a travel surgical technician, you will work with a team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of surgical care to patients. You will be responsible for preparing the operating room, arranging surgical equipment, assisting the surgeons during the procedures, and cleaning up the operating room after the surgery.
What are the requirements to become a travel surgical technician?
To become a travel surgical technician, you must first complete a surgical technologist program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). The program usually takes 9-24 months to complete and includes both classroom and clinical training in surgical procedures, anatomy, and medical terminology.
After completing the program, you must pass the certification exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to become a certified surgical technologist (CST). You must also maintain your certification by completing continuing education courses and renewing your certification every four years.
In addition to the certification, travel surgical technicians must have at least two years of experience working in an operating room, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a willingness to travel.
What are the benefits of being a travel surgical technician?
There are many benefits to being a travel surgical technician. First, you get to travel and work in different healthcare settings across the country, which means you get to experience different surgical procedures, meet new people, and learn new skills.
Second, travel surgical technicians typically earn a higher salary than permanent surgical technologists due to the shortage of skilled surgical technicians in some areas of the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for surgical technologists in May 2020 was $49,710, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $71,400 per year.
Third, travel surgical technicians typically receive benefits such as housing allowances, travel reimbursement, health insurance, and retirement plans. Some travel agencies also offer bonuses and incentives to their top performers.
What are the challenges of being a travel surgical technician?
While being a travel surgical technician can be an exciting and rewarding career, it also comes with its challenges. First, you must be willing to travel frequently and be away from your family and friends for long periods. This can be difficult for some people, especially those with young children or other family obligations.
Second, you must be able to adapt quickly to new environments and work with different teams of healthcare professionals. This requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to handle stressful situations.
Third, you must be comfortable working in different healthcare facilities with different protocols, equipment, and surgical procedures. This requires a high level of flexibility and adaptability.
How to become a travel surgical technician?
If you are interested in becoming a travel surgical technician, you can start by researching travel agencies that specialize in healthcare staffing. These agencies typically require you to submit your resume, certification, and other relevant documents for review.
If your application is accepted, the agency will work with you to find job opportunities that match your skills and experience. They will also provide you with housing, travel arrangements, and other benefits.
Alternatively, you can also apply directly to healthcare facilities that use travel surgical technicians. Many hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings rely on travel surgical technicians to fill temporary staffing shortages.
Conclusion
If you are a surgical technician looking for a new challenge and adventure, then a career as a travel surgical technician might be perfect for you. As a travel surgical technician, you will have the opportunity to travel, learn new skills, and earn a higher salary while helping to deliver quality surgical care to patients across the country.
Remember, becoming a travel surgical technician requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to adapt and learn. But if you are up for the challenge, the rewards can be significant.
| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| A travel surgical technician is a certified surgical technologist who works on a contractual basis in various healthcare settings across the country. |
| To become a travel surgical technician, you must first complete a surgical technologist program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). After completing the program, you must pass the certification exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to become a certified surgical technologist (CST). You must also have at least two years of experience working in an operating room, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a willingness to travel. |
| The benefits of being a travel surgical technician include the opportunity to travel and work in different healthcare settings across the country, higher salary, and benefits such as housing allowances, travel reimbursement, health insurance, and retirement plans. |
| The challenges of being a travel surgical technician include frequent travel and being away from family and friends for long periods, adapting quickly to new environments and working with different teams of healthcare professionals, and working in different healthcare facilities with different protocols, equipment, and surgical procedures. |
| You can become a travel surgical technician by researching travel agencies that specialize in healthcare staffing or by applying directly to healthcare facilities that use travel surgical technicians. |