r/scrubtech Mar 30 '17

New Surgical Tech Advice MEGA THREAD

84 Upvotes

I've noticed a recent string of new student/tech posts, so I thought I'd create a mega-thread for first time scrubs. Our job can be quite demanding at times and intimidating to new prospects, so I can understand much of the concern seen here.

Comment below the BEST PIECE OF ADVICE you can give any new tech or student. Keep it positive of course. Hopefully some of our experienced techs can share some good advice. If it helps you, post how long you've been in your position!

To all current and future students, good luck! You picked a good and often times rewarding career.


r/scrubtech Jul 04 '24

BEWARE of Med Cert programs, PLEASE READ FIRST

70 Upvotes

Lately we've seen quite a number of potential students inquiring about med cert programs for surgical technologists. It sounds nice right? 100% online, done in 18 weeks, and pretty cheap (claiming $4,000 to $6,000 total tuition). If you're looking into the career be aware of the dangers of these so-called "med cert programs"

-They claim to be accredited. MOST hospitals do not acknowledge their accreditation. Their websites claim to be certified by boards like the National Healthcareer Association, Pharmacy Tech Certification Board, and American Academy of Professional Coders, among others, NOT CAAHEP, ABHES, or of course the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) OR the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST). THESE are the governing bodies (CAAHEP, ABHES, NBSTSA and AST) that I would say ALL reputable hospitals acknowledge, and therefore if your school is not accredited by one of these two boards, DO NOT ATTEND the program. Your job search will be extremely difficult.

-Clinicals I feel are a necessary part of the learning process, as others in this sub I have no doubt will agree. Med Cert programs offer NO real life clinical experiences, only "interactive modules" and "point and click adventures" if you call it that. Most hospitals require new techs and grads with some experience scrubbing in, and having proof of that. AST and NBSTSA accredited schools require stringent documentation on cases you scrubbed in, and that can be taken into an interview. In many cases for these med cert programs, you're responsible for finding your own clinical site experience and obtaining 125 documented surgeries you've scrubbed into, with no help from the school.

-You DO NOT receive Certified Surgical Technology (CST) certification through these "med cert" schools. In some states (Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia ALL require CST certification, and these Med Cert programs offer NO pathway to it. TSC can be obtained through med cert schools, but that is only after you've provided proof of obtaining 125 clinical cases, which as I've stated before you have to find on your own. A reputable school will provide those clinical experiences for you.

Our job is too important and too vital in the surgical suite to undergo a "fast track, online only" program. We're dealing with patients at their worst, in life and death scenarios, and working within a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, other techs, medical service reps, and many others in a fast paced environment that offers little time for you to "catch up" or to "develop," especially if you're lacking in education. It is in your best interest to attend a fully accredited and reputable school in your area (or the area you chose to go to) with hands on experience, and with good connections and reputations at local hospitals.

My suggestion? Before even starting into a med cert program (if you're lacking in options to attend school), call local hospitals in your area and ASK if they acknowledge a med cert program. DO NOT ASK THE SCHOOL, they will ALWAYS tell you "yes." Many larger hospitals are in dire need of surgical techs, so with being proactive they may be able to work with you on getting more education to become accredited and fully certified potentially. In some cases, they've hired people in other positions and offered clinical experiences on their own time. This really is my only suggestion to you, my honest opinion is to STAY AWAY from these med cert programs.

Please comment below if you have other suggestions, or even stories of your personal experiences with these med cert programs, good or bad. The more informative we can be in one place, the better. Please keep the comments civil, I know this is a divisive topic but let's not muddy the waters with bad rhetoric and arguments.

For context, here are some actual quotes from those that have had bad experiences with med cert programs. These are all from within this subreddit, you can search for them yourself:

"I attended medcerts for a surgical technology program and before I joined I called to make sure the program was accredited. Turns out it’s not. I have a recording of the call being told and guarantee of the program being accredited. so very solid evidence. I found out it wasn’t accredited because I managed to score clinicals and was fired 4 days in because they found out my school was unaccredited. It felt like a double punch in the face to find out I had been lied to and losing my job..."

"I enrolled in this program in 2022 and I come completed in 2023 and I’m just gonna be really honest with you that legislation was already in place that MedCerts would not be able to offer surgical tech program in the state of Connecticut yet they didn’t tell me that I’m so when I went to get internships and externship, I was not able to Later on the legislation went down in October, so that bogus certificate that I got from that MedCerts don’t mean squats you will never get hired or get placed in an externship in the state of Connecticut because you went to school at MedCerts they were not honest with me."

"Unfortunately I did the program a year ago… & still haven’t gotten a job. I definitely think I wasted my money & time doing this program."

"Don’t do medcerts! Every student we get from them is horribly under certified to be in the OR. The CSTs have to teach them everything! Even scrubbing your hands and gowning and gloving. I totally get the appeal but if you want to know anything that’s going on at all, go in person."

"We hired a guy who did his program through medcerts. We’re a level I trauma hospital. He did his clinical at a dental office doing extractions. Only extractions. The experience didn’t line up with anything that he needed to be successful in the OR. He was put on an extended orientation to try and get him up to speed, but I haven’t heard anything since. That was only a couple weeks ago."

"We provide you with the Tech in Surgery (TS-C) from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). That’s straight from a med certs advisor." (TSC certification isn't widely recognized compared to the CST certification).


r/scrubtech 4h ago

unscented non-antiperspirant deodorant recs?

1 Upvotes

I start my clinical program in a few weeks and I’ve had a hell of a time finding deodorant. For context, I have not used an antiperspirant in years. I use old spice non-antiperspirant deodorant. I was complaining a some friend about having trouble finding deodorant that is both unscented AND non-antiperspirant, and they told me that I’d basically be paying for nothing. The logic makes sense, but I don’t want to start using an antiperspirant again if I don’t have to. I don’t like it and neither does my skin. But now I’m worried that an unscented deodorant won’t do anything. Is my friend right? Does anyone have brand recs for non-antiperspirant deodorant? Or do I just need to buck up and buy the antiperspirant?

Thanks in advance, I know this is sort of a silly question.


r/scrubtech 15h ago

Various Sterile processing tech or medical assistant??

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0 Upvotes

r/scrubtech 3d ago

General The traveler who accidentally fixed my surgical technologist salary

220 Upvotes

CST, ortho mostly, 6 years. we had a traveler with us in the fall for a 13 weeker and one slow afternoon someone in the break room asks her half joking what the contract pays. she just says it. 2150 a week. then she looks at our faces and goes wait, what do they pay staff here

i said mine, 26.40, and hearing both numbers in the same room messed me up a little. shes scrubbing the same total knees with the same surgeon who throws the same tantrums

then she spent like ten minutes telling us what her last few contracts paid and which systems around here her agency friends said were desperate for ortho. that was more useful salary info than 6 years of performance reviews gave me

i cant travel, my situation doesnt allow it. but i interviewed at two of the places she named, got 30.25 at one, and my hospital countered at 30 with cvor training to keep me. i stayed. almost 4 more an hour for two interviews and one awkward chat with my manager

i even put my old and new numbers on levels.fyi after, half out of spite tbh. talk to your travelers, they have nothing to lose and they know everything


r/scrubtech 2d ago

My OR wants me to go on call after my three month orientation

13 Upvotes

So I have been out of school for 4 years after I got my degree. I wasn't ready to be a surgical tech at that time so I became a a endo tech for a few years. Recently i decided to go to my manager a d tell them that I wanted to become a surg tech and they changed my role. I feel better than I did when I started but I definitely don't feel good enough to be on call yet. They're treating me like I haven't been out of clinical for 4 years

On top of that I struggle to get any fundamental cases like lap appys or lap choles because they have three surg tech students and I seemingly get the shit end of the stick when it comes to cases. It doesnt make any sense to me because they have alot more time to learn than I do. One day I'll be in neuro, the next day I'll be doing an ORIF. Then I'll go another week without doing those cases and be expected to recall everything.

Idk I just feel very uneasy about taking call that soon and feel like our nurse educator is trying to get me rolling so she can focus on the students.


r/scrubtech 2d ago

What’s up guys,what’s the average salary for scrub techs

6 Upvotes

Also, what’s some things you like and dislike being a scrub tech? I’m a Respiratory therapist, but I’m always fascinated with what you guys do.


r/scrubtech 2d ago

Surgical tech arizona

1 Upvotes

anyone attend Evita in Arizona east valley institute ? what are the class hours ? and how do clinicals work ?


r/scrubtech 4d ago

Me and other team members, performing a procedure to save life 🤗

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102 Upvotes

r/scrubtech 3d ago

Advice on if I’m cut out to be a scrub tech

2 Upvotes

I’m curious about taking classes in becoming a scrub tech but am concerned about some details

I have a fused spine and have read in a few places that it takes a toll on the body. I also read that eye surgery lets you sit, is that realistic? If so is there a good balance of standing and sitting and how difficult is it for someone new to specialize?

Realistically do you get bathroom breaks? I don’t want to mess myself at work

How quickly did you get used to the gore/visuals/smell of surgery? I’m not the most squeamish person but it’s going to take me a bit to adjust. Do you get to observe surgery before you have to participate in it?

Is there a specialization that seems I would be best suited for with these concerns, if at all?


r/scrubtech 3d ago

Clinical struggles

2 Upvotes

I've been in clinicals for about two and a half months now, and I'm still making stupid mistakes that I feel should be second nature by now. I think a lot of it comes down to me being nervous and worried about messing up, which causes me to make silly errors. I'd love to hear about what worked for everyone and what helped them improve during clinicals!


r/scrubtech 5d ago

Any medicos?? preparing for neet pg

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2 Upvotes

r/scrubtech 6d ago

Preparing for Clincals

6 Upvotes

I hope this isn't a dumb question but I start clinicals next month and have heard you will be tested/asked questions when doing a surgery. So what exactly will be asked? Will it be regarding the procedure/instruments, the anatomy, or a mix of everything? I am SO nervous, I do not want to look stupid in front of a surgeon or preceptor. It is so scary to be a student sometimes. I just want to be prepared for the questions I may be asked so I know.

I have been studying my butt off over summer break but I am worried it is not enough. I am really worried about the anatomy part because anatomy was hard for me and I am nervous it will look completely different in person than it does in the textbooks. I am reviewing anatomy these last few weeks of summer break so I am hoping I am just really overthinking it. Any advice is appreciated!


r/scrubtech 5d ago

Bone plug artists!

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2 Upvotes

r/scrubtech 6d ago

New tech!

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I’m a new tech and I’ve on orientation for 3 months and I feel like I’m not improving, I honestly feel like quitting. I currently work at an hospital who does robotics and other specialties. but my clinical site was Ortho & spine. The pressure from my manager is not making it easy either. How long did it take you guys to get your confidence and the steps in surgery? I’m feeling like a failure and I hate this feeling.


r/scrubtech 6d ago

Regarding Indian scrubs

0 Upvotes

So I was using kyna scrubs for quite some time but I feel like they are just not as good as I imagined as everything keeps falling out of my pockets and the material just keeps having lint buildup and I feel not enough pockets are available so if you are facing the same problem could let me know what can be done better to make scrubs better as a medical professional or med student or a nurse


r/scrubtech 7d ago

Various preceptor/ training advice

3 Upvotes

I'm training a new hire for the first time tomorrow & just want some advice from seasoned preceptors/ trainers!! I've been a tech for 3 years this month. we only do one specialty at our facility. I just want to make sure I do a good job. thank you!


r/scrubtech 8d ago

Surg Tech Clincals

2 Upvotes

I start clinicals next month and was curious what I should bring with me. What did you guys take to your clincal rotations?


r/scrubtech 8d ago

STs or OR nurses !

3 Upvotes

In the beginning of September, I will start my new journey as an OR nurse at a community hospital that preforms surgeries of all specialties (excluding neuro, CV, and CT)

What are some recourses I can be studying now so that I am more prepared when I go in? Any YouTube channels that you recommend to learn surgical instruments or sterile techniques? I feel that if i start learning now, maybe some of the concepts I am taught during orientation can be picked up a little quicker thanks to the human brain loving familiarity. I am humbly open to any advice! I love learning and am so excited.

Thank you for your help!


r/scrubtech 8d ago

Legit Travel/Contracts? Have experience, but still kinda new

0 Upvotes

In middle TN area, are there some legit contracts for newer scrubs. I signed up for a travel newsletter and later received lots of spam messages.
‘this is Ajeet. this is Faraz. this is Sundsmitha a’ Like even the names/ messages would have typos. Hadn’t even applied to anything yet.

I’m new to the area, can confidently do general, ent, *most* not all gyn. Moved abruptly so didn’t have time to get things in line before the move. Any help?


r/scrubtech 10d ago

School

6 Upvotes

Did anyone here attended the NYU surgical tech program? or Aims education program ( new jersey) thank you!

I currently live in upstate but is soon moving to nyc/nj area and was looking at different schools.

If you guys recommend other schools lmk!


r/scrubtech 11d ago

Guess the case

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56 Upvotes

r/scrubtech 11d ago

school materials?

1 Upvotes

i start my 20 month surg tech program at the end of the month, and i was wondering if anybody could provide me with any materials they found helped them through their schooling! it could be anything from certain clothing/shoes, specific bags, stationery, studying tools, books, etc.

i have my orientation next week and im looking forward to it! 🙂


r/scrubtech 13d ago

Where can surgical techs work aside from the main OR?

7 Upvotes

r/scrubtech 13d ago

Surg Tech at Portsmouth

0 Upvotes

Hey y'all, I will be gaining Portsmouth for my next order set as a surgical tech. Could anyone pm for insight on work-life/family life and the hours worked. I hear a lot of mixed things.