Have you always dreamed of being the star of the operating room? Does the idea of a high-pressure surgical environment fill you with excitement? Then you’ve probably thought a lot about becoming a surgeon. The problem for you, as for many others, is the time and financial commitment required. Going to medical school to become a surgeon takes years and an enormous amount of money. Or maybe you’re not worried about the time commitment and just curious to see what other options are out there. The good news is that becoming a full-fledged surgeon isn’t the only way to work in the operating room. These are 5 other surgery career options to get you in that room. Surgical Technologist The first question you’re probably asking is what do surgical techs do? In short, they assist the surgeon and other surgical staff. They prepare patients for surgery, clean and disinfect, prepare instruments, and ensure proper procedures are followed by everyone in the operating room. Generally speaking, surgical technologists are an integral part of the overall surgical team, making sure everyone is performing at their best. To do this, they need many of the same skills you’ll find in a surgeon: dexterity, flexibility, attention to detail, and a good medical background. Still, there are obviously some important differences. For example, while becoming a surgeon requires a four-year science degree, medical school, and a residency, a surgical technologist education usually lasts for one or two years. But in spite of the lower surgical tech training requirements, the job still offers a median wage of around $44,330, thousands higher than the national median, and an excellent job outlook over the next decade. With school tuition costing between $6,000 and $25,000 for a program, it’s an affordable investment for anyone with a passion for surgery. Scrub Tech Scrub and circulating techs are two sub-roles of a surgical tech, but their unique roles in the operating room warrant a closer examination. A scrub tech’s job is to be in charge of all instruments during the procedure. This means sterilizing them and ensuring the right ones are ready at the right moment. Thus, they act as a surgeon’s right-hand person, there at a moment’s notice with whatever they may need. Circulating Tech This surgical technologist role is the most varied. Circulating techs will move all over the operating room, doing whatever is required to ensure the surgery goes well. That could be making sure everyone else is properly equipped, leaving the operating room to retrieve instruments or medication, and generally acting as the most flexible member of the surgical team. Anesthesiologist Another highly skilled and critical member of any surgery room’s team is the anesthesiologist. Their role is to first meet with patients to discuss the anesthesia options, including any allergies the patient may have. Once this aspect of the surgery is planned, they will administer the doses and monitor the patient during surgery to ensure no problems arise. Much like surgeons themselves, this is another high stress and exciting job. Anesthesiologists have to be prepared to think on their feet and react to any sudden changes in a patient’s condition and have a detailed knowledge of chemistry and physiology. Of course, such a highly trained position does require a lot of training – as much as a surgeon, in fact. Anesthesiologists require a four-year science degree, medical school, and several years of residency to become fully certified. Still, this does pay off, as anesthesiologists typically earn six-figure salaries, much like surgeons themselves. Nurse As you probably already know, nurses are the backbone of any medical practice. They’re involved in nearly every aspect of care, including surgeries. For that reason, their roles in the operating room can vary tremendously. But most commonly, they will either function as a nurse anesthetist (which has simpler educational requirements and a lower salary than a full anesthesiologist), or as a registered nurse acting in an assistant role. In the latter role, nurses fulfill many of the same functions as a surgical technologist. They help prepare patients for surgery, disinfect equipment, assist surgeons directly during surgery, and generally make sure the operating room acts as a well-oiled machine. Like with anesthesiologists, registered nurses require much more schooling than surgical techs. Generally a bachelor’s degree in nursing is required along with passing licensing and/or certification exams. Registered nurses currently have a median pay of around $67,490 per year, though this will vary depending on your location and specialization. Does the Operating Room Sound Intriguing? You could be there in less than a year. Surgical tech training programs lasting 1 to 2 years can get you into an exciting new career fast. Source
