Surgical Technologist Career Assessment

2What is a Surgical Technologist?

A surgical technologist (surgical tech or CST) is a trained professional who works in operating rooms, assisting surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nursing staff during surgical procedures. They handle instruments, maintain the surgical field, and ensure patient safety.

The Reality: You're in the operating room during someone's most vulnerable moment. Lives depend on your precision and focus.

Your Responsibilities:

• Prepare operating rooms (equipment setup, sterilization)
• Arrange surgical instruments on trays (specific order for specific procedures)
• Sterilize and maintain equipment
• Position and prep patients for surgery
• Assist surgeons during procedures (passing instruments, suctioning, counting instruments)
• Monitor and maintain the sterile field (contamination = major problem)
• Handle specimens and biopsies
• Assist with wound closure
• Follow strict safety and sterility protocols
• Communicate with surgical team

You're a critical member of the surgical team. Precision. Focus. Responsibility.

3A Day in the Life

6:30 AM — Arrive for morning shift. Review schedule. Multiple surgeries lined up.

6:45 AM — Prep OR #1. Deep clean. Set up equipment. Sterilize instruments. All per protocol.

7:15 AM — First surgery: Knee arthroscopy. Surgeon and anesthesiologist arrive. Go over procedure.

7:30 AM — Patient in. Positioning. Prepping. You check and recheck sterility.

7:45 AM — Surgery starts. You're sterile, gowned. Passing instruments. Reading surgeon's needs. No mistakes.

8:45 AM — Surgery ends. Wound closure. Patient transfer out.

9:00 AM — Clean and sterilize OR #1. Restock for next procedure.

9:30 AM — Second surgery: Herniarepair. Different setup. Different instruments. Different focus.

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Surgery in progress. Intense focus. No breaks. No distractions.

12:00 PM — Lunch (staff cover OR)

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM — Afternoon surgeries. Repeat process. Urgency case pops up. You adapt quickly.

4:00 PM — Cleanup and close down ORs.

4:30 PM — End shift. Mentally exhausted.

High-pressure, high-stakes, detail-intensive work. Every day is different. Every patient matters.

4Training in North Dakota

CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) Certification Required. Most hospitals won't hire without it or in-progress certification.

Training Pathways:

• Surgical Technology Program (about 1-2 years): Dedicated program. Classroom + lab + OR experience. Cost varies by school. Must be CAAHEP or ABHES accredited to take the CST exam.
• Apprenticeship: Lake Region State College partners with Altru Health System in Grand Forks. Apprentices earn pay while they train.
• Military Training: Surgical tech training available through military. Transfer credits to civilian programs.

In North Dakota: Bismarck State College (Bismarck, 2-year AAS, CAAHEP-accredited) and Lake Region State College (newer program in Grand Forks with Altru Health System). Ask any program if it is CAAHEP or ABHES accredited. You need that to take the CST exam. Heavy OR involvement required.

Prerequisites: High school diploma/GED. Basic anatomy/physiology. Strong foundational science.

Clinical Hours: At least 120 surgical cases in real operating rooms as part of training. This is hands-on, real responsibility.

5Certification & Licensing

CST (Certified Surgical Technologist). Offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

Requirements:

• Complete a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program
• Or finish a military surgical technology training program
• Pass the CST exam (given by NBSTSA)

The Exam: 175 multiple choice questions (150 scored). 4 hours. Covers surgical procedures, anatomy, instrument knowledge, sterility, safety.

Cost: $230 for AST members, $340 for non-members

Pass Rate: Varies by program. Bismarck State College's recent classes had a 100% pass rate.

Continuing Education: Renew every 2 years with 30 CE credits (or retake the exam).

Advanced: Some techs later earn the CSFA (surgical first assistant). CNOR is a nurse credential, so you must become an RN first.

6Salary & Job Outlook

North Dakota Surgical Technologist Salary (BLS, May 2025):

• Lower pay (bottom 10%): $24.25/hour ($50,440/year)
• Middle pay (median): $29.63/hour ($61,640/year)
• Higher pay (top 10%): $34.67/hour ($72,120/year)

Specialty ORs (cardiac, trauma, neurosurgery) pay higher.

Benefits: Health insurance, retirement, paid time off, shift differentials (nights/weekends pay more).

Job Outlook: Good. Surgeries are always needed. Jobs for surgical techs and assistants are expected to grow 5% nationally from 2025 to 2035 (BLS).

Work Environment: Hospitals, surgical centers, some clinics and doctor offices. Can work Monday-Friday or varied shifts. Call coverage common.

Physical Demands: Standing 8 hours in same spot. Physically exhausting. No sitting.

7Where This Leads

Path 1: Specialize — Cardiac OR, trauma, neuro, vascular. Specialists earn more.

Path 2: Surgical First Assistant — Advanced role. CSFA certification. Assist surgeon more directly. Higher pay.

Path 3: Nursing — Go to nursing school and become an RN. RNs in the OR can later earn CNOR (Certified Perioperative Nurse). Building on OR experience.

Path 4: Instrument Management — Manage surgical instruments, sterilization, inventory.

Path 5: Training — Teach surgical tech program. Work in education.

Path 6: Management — Oversee OR department, schedule staff, handle budgets.

Path 7: Sales — Surgical equipment and instrument sales. Use your technical knowledge. Travel.

Portable Career: CST is recognized nationwide.

8The Real Talk

What's Great:

• Critical role in patient care and safety
• High pay for education level
• Strong job security and demand
• Respected healthcare position
• Variety (different surgeries, different challenges)
• Team environment (collaborative, collegial)
• Skills transfer worldwide
• Clear advancement paths

What's Hard:

• Extreme physical demands (standing 8+ hours)
• High mental pressure and stress
• Zero tolerance for mistakes (sterility breaks = re-do)
• Exposure to blood, bodily fluids, biohazards
• Irregular hours and call coverage
• Emotional toll (patient outcomes, injuries, trauma)
• Difficult personalities (surgeons can be tough)
• Continuous learning (new procedures, new equipment)

Be Honest: Can you handle high pressure? Can you stay focused 8 hours without breaks? Can you handle medical trauma? Are you willing to work irregular hours? Do you want to be in the OR every day?

9Part 1: What Attracts You?

10Part 2: Are You Ready?

11Part 3: Your Next Move

Your Surgical Technologist Assessment Results