GETTING A JOB 

+Treena Rami thanks so much.

Surgical Tech Tips Thank you for the video it was very insightful. In your opinion which do you think holds up better when a person is trying to get into this field, a certificate program or diploma program?

Hsiao Wei exactly...because they liked you. I was at a hospital where everyone was mean except for the Doctors.

Hey when making a impact how did you do it like in what things did you do that caused an impact?

HAHA, that's awesome.

Great to hear and good luck on the exam! Its a doosie.

You haven't gotten a surgical tech job in four years??

@@coffeepandacat nope. Last year I had seven interviews and nothing

@@anamarijamilos1290 omg where are u from?

@@keimiguijosa5546 Los Angels

@@coffeepandacat nope

Ashley Caroline That is so great to hear Ashley that you are not giving up. You definitely have your foot in the door starting out in spd, if your true passion is to get up to the OR, never lose sight of that and make it known to the OR charge nurses/ director that you are willing to learn and help out in the OR whenever possible!

Wow that is really good advise thank you! I will keep that in mind. Although it might take me a while to get up there maybe, but I will keep that always in my mind! Spd is perfect to start off with

Ashley Caroline most people never make it out of SPD. Apply at all county hospitals.. I’m in LA, so I understand your frustration. Why don’t people make it out of SPD? The OR is much more stressful than SPD, and OR techs do make more, but not drastically more. In addition, sterile processing is obviously super important, and some people just find their passion down there. SPD is actually very demanding; they deserve way more credit than they actually get.

My advice. Don’t give up. I am 7 years out and had the same mindset. “Who will want me with such a wide gap?” I decided to just apply again and landed an SPD position. 6 months after I applied everywhere even the hospital I’m at for scrub tech. I have an interview soon for scrub tech.

Doing this video made me think of making a vid about preparing for clinical's actually, so I think i will be posting that one next ^^ As far as preparing for your certification exam, I would just say go over ALL study material over the past year of school. It is your schools job to prepare you properly for taking the national exam, and the reading/ study material they provide is always very helpful. I found the practice exams very helpful as well.

Start studying Medical Terminology. Learn all the prefixes, suffixes, combining words, etc. you'll be amazed how much smoother and easier class becomes!

Josie Cisneros Matthew is right, knowing medical terminology is a good base to start with. It will help you a ton throughout the school year, and your entire career.

Matthew Rully thank you!

Surgical Tech Tips okay, thanks so much!

I will make a quick video this weekend about this, but most importantly. Never say I KNOW. As a preceptor it's one of the most annoying things a student can say. Be a sponge, learn good techniques from many different techs, and setup the way your preceptor wants you to set up, you will have plenty of time to refine what works for you when you are on your own.

Thank you.

Surgical Tech Tips "Never say I know" is great advice.

I have heard of some horrible experiences in the OR. I had some not so great experiences when I was a new tech, but have had a great team and OR to work with for the past 8 years or so now. Just have to recognize if you are in a toxic situation and remove yourself from it if you don't think it will get better.

NBSTSA certification is nation wide. I say do it.

+Paulett Cubano it is possible to work without your certification. Your options are limited, but it is possible.

That's a great idea, but keep in mind some hospitals have automatized systems that may kick your application out if you don't have proof of certification yet. If you know someone within the hospital that can put a word in for you so that the administration can bypass the auto system that would help. Or you can start by sending out SPD applications at that time just to find something right away before you take your exam.

Also, thanks for subbing, and welcome to #surgicaltechtips :D

what does spd stand for

sterile processing distribution?

Tasia Harrison sterile processing department. They clean, organize, and sterilize the instruments and trays you will use in the OR. It's a great way to get your foot in the door to working at the hospital.

+BaleshNTP they hired me right out of the chair school. No additional training. In CST school you go over all things in the sterilization process.

Surgical Tech Tips Thanks again. Your videos are awesome, man. Keep it up!

Do your best to show your dedication to the position and learning every facet of it. Take all of your clinical externship notes and case studies with you to interview as examples to show the director how detail oriented you are.

That was my question as well! I’m relocating to Houston, TX and fresh out of school.

Radiohead fan!

Indeed, hah! I can also proudly say that I am a huge fan of you! You have been an inspirational figure to many; keep up the great content! x

Defenition: HIPAA Law is a US law designed to provide privacy standards to protect patients' medical records and other health information provided to health plans, doctors, hospitals and other health care providers. I was giving an example of relating a personal experience in my life as to why I choose the career path I did and answer the interviewers question. I did not give out any personal information. In no way, shape, or form is that a HIPAA violation.

Surgical Tech Tips Yes it is! Now it doesn't matter if the example you used is true or not. In your example. You give out PHI (Protected health Information) when you said you had a brother that came down with a condition and reviled it. That is a violation of HIPAA, because PHI is extension of HIPAA! HIPPA is standards for sharing and transmitting health information. PHI limits access to health information to 'need to know' basis! No one in an interview need to know about anyone's health problems! Also it doesn't matter if it's personal to you or not!

Agree to disagree here. I would rather not get into an argument over this. Thank you for the comments though.

The HIPAA Rules apply to covered entities and business associates. Individuals, organizations, and agencies that meet the definition of a covered entity under HIPAA must comply with the Rules' requirements to protect the privacy and security of health information and must provide individuals with certain rights with respect to their health information. If a covered entity engages a business associate to help it carry out its health care activities and functions, the covered entity must have a written business associate contract or other arrangement with the business associate that establishes specifically what the business associate has been engaged to do and requires the business associate to comply with the Rules’ requirements to protect the privacy and security of protected health information. In addition to these contractual obligations, business associates are directly liable for compliance with certain provisions of the HIPAA Rules. If an entity does not meet the definition of a covered entity or business associate, it does not have to comply with the HIPAA Rules. See definitions of “business associate” and “covered entity” at 45 CFR 160.103. In the example where he's talking about his brother in an interview, his brother isn't his patient, therefore he isn't a covered entity, and therefore no HIPAA or PHI rules are violated.

Tummyboxx Just like to guy in the video! You need to talk to your supervisor and be retrained!

John wood has the program one by Peoria I believe

Lexie Wilkerson, did you find any good program? I’m trying to find my best option here in Chicago too.

I didn't get hired from my externship site. There are many avenues of employment you can take with a CST. You said in your other comment that you have no problem moving for a job, you shouldn't have a problem at all.