SURGICAL TECH Q & A | is school hard? will I get a job after? know all instruments? how you do that? 

That's so sweet!!!! We're on the same page. It's very difficult for those who have kids and full time jobs. I feel for all those people who juggle these altogether! But the reward is sweet! Thank you so much for the support! Truly grateful!

What makes surgical tech school hard?

How much do techs usually make?

Keepin it 100% to all yall. No BS. 😅

Absolutely! Coming soon!

I'm so excited for you!!!! I'm so happy that more and more people know about this field! Wish you the best!! Hit me up when you're on your pre clinicals.

Thank you!!!!! Goodluck my friend!

How long g is school for surgical tech?

@@faithwalk. 21 months and u graduate w a degree

Did you find employment?

Is the school hard for you how’s it going

They never respond like ugh.

Haha my content is not sugar-coated. I tell it how it is. I guess that's why people gravitate towards it because it's realistic. It's not easy. It's not for the weak mindset. Just like you said, COLD HARD FACTS only. We don't do bubbles and sugar here so I'll definitely get into more on that subject soon.

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK Great, I look forward to that content. I appreciate and enjoy your channel!!

I'm so grateful that my videos have helped you! Elaborate on closing? Surgical techs don't close the skin, only surgeons, residents and csfa close the skin. Are you talking about closing instruments?

​@@SURGICALTECHGEEK SHE RESPONDS! Truly honored. moist and dry dressings, gauze, when can we push the back table away from the operative site, closing instruments, what can we leave on M.stand for the Surgeon and first assist to help themselves to closing the skin. Thank you for taking the time to read and respond, Tom

@@hitomtom4278 I would like to chime in on this topic, If I may. wet and dry laps always.. gauze, steri strips, mastisol, tegaderm etc ask the surgeons what they prefer before closing or check preference card, you will always want adson tissue forceps on the mayo for skin along with appropriate needleholders (usually surg pref but something like crilewood, derf, etc depending on what type of case) for skin suture (usually 4-0 monocryl PS-2 (( Ethicon MCP426H, remember this :D )). Also this is a perfect time to start your closing count if you haven't done it already. Laps, rays, suture etc always start from the working field and move to mayo then to back table. You can move your back table away from the surgical site at this time but always be vigilant that no contamination occurs. In my experience, you should not break scrub until the patient has left the room... I work in ENT and we keep everything sterile just in case a neck procedure starts to bleed or opens up after extubation... you will be thankful you stayed sterile and kept your instruments sterile, trust me. I would recommend also putting the instruments that have not been used on the bottom of a tray and then laying a blue towel on top of the clean ones for your dirty instruments. Having SPD experience, I can tell you that it is appreciated when the the instruments come back down and a clear distinction can be made about what needs extra care vs the instruments that have not been used during the procedure. From one Tom to another :P

@@xno-rc7lo wow..... I mean, you pretty much broke it down into pieces. You're amazing! Thank you so much for replying to the student. I definitely clean the bioburden first before taking to spd. You guys have the toughest job and I'm grateful for yall!

Surgery centers are 5 days a week, 8 hrs a day but the hours aren't guaranteed even though you can be hired as full time. Theyre small facilities and sometimes does small surgeries. I don't think there's surgery centers that does neuro. Those are big cases that need more staff. Fam friendly hrs is labor and delivery 😍. Goodluck Amanda! Hope that helps!

Yes!!! We use this alcohol scrub called sterilium and it's so drying on the hands. Also,, it's like more than 50% alcohol. I'd rather rescrub.

Hmm that's tough if you don't know anyone in the administration. Ask a surgical center and write them a letter.

It's not good practice to not have anything at all. For example one time I didn't open a 2-0 vicryl CT but I had one at CT1. So I told the Dr., doc i don't have CT right now I'll have the nurse get it but meanwhile I do have CT1 as an alternative if you don't wanna wait.... he said OK ill take it. You see, if u know the surgeon and u know what he uses, open them, if not, open minimum. Pref car dsays open 6, open. I always open a 3.0 vicryl sh on bowel why? Because that's to control bleeders.... thats a crucial moment that I can't wait on. Were bleeding.

Hahahhahahaha same energy boo.

Period!

Yes. Surgical instruments. Not tools ☺️

Is that the girl who sang, "cause you didn't mean what u wrote in that song about me?" I haven't seen what she looked like but it was def all over tiktok lol

I dont think it matters what ur height. We had a tech who was 5"2 and she did fine.

Hmm no I'd go for a hospital

these are my two options too!! ugh im having a hard time deciding 😫😫😫

5 7s, 3 12s, 4 10s :)

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK Does it just depend on location, or do surgical techs get to (sometimes?) choose to work, say, 3 x 12s? :)

@@zacharyshort384 sometimes they can choose. Depends on what they need. I chose mine.

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK Can you elaborate on what you choosing it entails? :) I'm currently in SPD and hoping to enroll in an ST AAS program soonish. My hope is to focus in either neuro or plastics if I can since those areas have always interested me the most.

Use nurses and techs as a reference to other hospitals to established some kind of experience. Talk to them if they know someone who works for those facilities. The heart team charge nurse at my hospital was also a charge nurse at another hospital and that's how I got in, also the surgeon i worked for was a chief of staff in one and chief of surgery in another hospital. You will go from the bottom pile to the top pile like that.

I hurt my back lifting a rep tray that's why I now have to wear back brace every time I work and go to chiro once a month. I improved my posture and I have those lumbar seats on office chair and car lol. I'm a little messed up but you should take precautions.

Just wondering which would be better

Advance to a hospital. Get the highest training and get all the experience and when you wanna slow down, you can come down to doctors office. There's no opportunity to make more money in an office because they don't do calls. In a hospital setting, you can get experience and jump to another hospital to make more money especially if you have speciality training. That's what I did. I'm on my 3rd hospital. Exchanging between public and private.

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK Thanks so much . When I am done with the program I am hoping to move states to try and get a better salary for the job. I am in Mississippi and they look like they get paid the least from what I’ve seen so far. It’s not about the money. I just do want to enjoy what I’m doing and see the pay for it🥰

@@hazeleyedp1020 you have tot are are account the cost of living. Cali techs make more than your state because gas is $6 lol. Also, you can travel with experience and that my friend is the big bank. I personally don't want to travel even though I could simply because I am happy where I am and I don't do it for the money. I did do it for the money before and I was miserable. You learn to choose your battles.

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK you are so awesome💕 never for the money but I do need it . I love and enjoy helping others in the healthcare field . I’ll give you an update soon🙂

Hi, it's on my site www.surgicaltechgeek.com

This is simply answered by Googling it because idk how the transfers work from other countries credits.

Thank you

No maam

Link on my bio on etsy. Available on Monday.

Either or depending which school u go to. I went to a private school 28k.

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK hello may I ask what private school did you attend?

@@elizabethleon9897 sorry private info.

28k with or without financial aid?

@@MrBUGS713 that's all financial aid and I was paying it while I was in school. Typically 32k back then.

Not in my state and not in my hospital. Were given a choice here.

Not at all that's why I went to this field lol I hate math. Just algebra for pre reqs.

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK Thanks for the reply and I hate math too 😆

Actually you need to do pharmacology and it's a little hard but basic math fractions, decimals, division, multiplication

The only training I got was on the job.

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK Pls do you think it is a wise decision to go into surgical tech and later into sonography?

@@jewel5948 one of our techs is currently in that program. Honestly had I known about sonogram. I'd probably go for that first.

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK Honestly am really running away from something that has a lot of math. And I don't want to do a lot of schooling. Am trying to get the best choice and try different things.

@@jewel5948 hahaha were the same! This one doesn't have a lot of math. Sonograpgy has physics! Yikes! Surg tech is basic algebra.

Ooooh I was in rad tech b4 surg tech. Lol. Quit after a semester

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK Good to know! I find the science fascinating, but doing it day in and day out seems a little boring.

@@annag.6353 surgeries do get boring but seeing the brain and the heart is still fascinating

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK Plus you're doing different surgeries in different fields! Thanks for the responses! :)

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK what made u switch from rad tech?

I didn't do presentations 🙏 thank God. I would pass out too.

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK no presentations!? Signing up for class ASAP. Lol

@@spearaveli430 haha I mean at least that's what I didn't do at school. The only nerve racking thing really is the 30 min set up before you get cleared for clinicals.

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK Let’s hope I don’t have to do any also. Lol all this time I been iffy about going but after your vids and chatting, I’m ready. 👏🏽

@@spearaveli430 no worries! I am terrified of presentations. I'm pretty introverted myself but you're gonna need to push those boundaries because if you want a job, you must impress the peeps in the OR. I will always be here for anything !

I think I make pretty good money. I can make more but I just don't prioritize working as much as i used to. I used to go ham on calls but now I've slowed down a bit.

What do u mean

❤ will increase volume next time :)

Whaaaaaat..... why?

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK because i felt so dumb, so overwhelmed in a way idk I feel dumb for doing it

@@yelijimenez3795 which part or class made u feel like that

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK like the very beginning, all the terminology and work I guess idk I’m considering trying it again next year but I’m afraid I will just drop out again, right now I’m taking my time learning more about the field, I will admit I just jumped into the career with a few knowledge about the field. I’m from Florida so it may be a different school experience than what you did.

@@yelijimenez3795 don't be discouraged. Curriculums aren't easy but when I looked at it as a student and as long as there was no deep math, it'll be OK!

I wouldn't stress on getting an A. I'd rather understand the concept in very important subject than to aim for an A. There's some things you can't wing here.

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK Ok sounds good! Thanks for the response! : )

Unless you're hoping to later get into a masters program for surgical assisting. Then the GPA is probably an important factor ^_^

@@zacharyshort384 idk if there's a masters in SA.

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) says they have the only MSA program in the country ^_^

U need mega speakers lol

I'm not sure. I think k you'd still have to take an entrance exam.

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK we don’t have to take it due to COVID. I’m just scared of them rejecting me bc of my low gpa

@@keimiguijosa5546 you'll never know until you try. Biggest regret in life is not trying.

@@SURGICALTECHGEEK I feel like if I do good with my essay and do good when they interview me I’ll probably have a spot. The problem is that I get nervous and stutter 😭

@@keimiguijosa5546 I think you have a chance. Say something like your GPA shouldn't define your drive to success. Yes its low but the work your willing to put is going to be doubled because you're stepping up and making a change. Tell them, the chance is here and I'm taking it. The question is, will you take a chance on me? Something like that.