How Do I Become a Travel Surgical Tech?

Summary

• Surgical techs play a vital role in the operating room, ensuring smooth and safe surgeries through their detailed knowledge and ability to anticipate needs.
• Many surgical techs are exploring travel surgical technology, allowing them to work in diverse healthcare settings across the country, enriching their professional and personal experiences.
• Travel surgical techs can be generalists or specialize in areas like cardiovascular, obstetrics, labor and delivery, orthopedics, and first assist, with some specialties requiring additional certifications.
• To become a travel surgical tech, one must graduate from an accredited program, obtain certification, gain relevant experience, conduct thorough research, and apply for travel positions through platforms like Aya, which offers extensive support and job opportunities.

Table of Contents

1. Types of Travel Surgical Techs
2. Becoming a Travel Surgical Tech
3. Choosing Aya: Elevating Your Travel Surgical Tech Career

Surgical techs play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and safe execution of surgeries. Their attention to detail, extensive knowledge of surgical procedures and ability to anticipate needs in the surgical suite make them indispensable members of the OR team.

Upon completion of their education, certifications and gaining clinical experience, many surgical techs are venturing into the exciting field of travel surgical technology. This offers surgical techs the chance to apply their skills in diverse healthcare settings all over the country while broadening their professional horizons, enriching their life experiences and using their expertise to ensure positive patient outcomes nationwide.

Types of Travel Surgical Techs

Surgical techs are most commonly generalists who can prep and assist for a variety of surgical cases and specialties. However, there are some exceptions that can influence which jobs you’re able to apply for based on your specific surgical background. Examples of specialized areas include cardiovascular operating room (CVOR), obstetrics (OB) and labor and delivery (L&D), orthopedics and first assist (note: while specializing doesn’t always require additional certifications, first assist positions do call for additional certifications).

Becoming a Travel Surgical Tech

So, what do you need to do to become a travel surgical tech? Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered from A to Z.

Step 1: Graduate from an Accredited — You’ll need to complete an accredited surgical technologist program approved by CAAHEP or ABHES. These programs, typically offered by community colleges or vocational schools, require a high school diploma or GED for enrollment.

Step 2: Obtain Certification — After graduation, you’ll need to pursue certification such as CST from NBSTSA, which is the “gold standard” for surgical techs, or TS-C from NCCT. While not mandatory for every job or state, certification enhances employability and showcases your dedication to the field.

Step 3: Gain Experience — Ideally, you should have at least 12 months of relevant surgical tech experience, which ensures compliance with state board requirements. Facilities often seek techs with 6 to 12 months of recent experience for travel positions and can require up to 12 to 24 months for subspecialties.

Step 4: Research! — One of the most important things you can do to ensure a successful journey as a travel surgical tech is research! Read the experiences of other travel surgical techs, look at different areas of the country that you might be interested in going to and do some research about what you might need to prepare for in life as a travel surgical tech. All these things help you understand what you want and what to expect!

Step 5: Apply for Travel Positions — Now’s the time to apply! Log in to your Aya account for access to the largest job network in the staffing industry. You’ll be set up with one of Aya’s world class recruiters who will walk you through each step of the process. The most important step you can take is being meticulously thorough and accurate in your experience section when applying, as well as taking your time on your skills competency checklist. This provides your recruiter with all the knowledge they need to find the right fit for you based on your specific skillset.

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Choosing Aya: Elevating Your Travel Surgical Tech Career

The best thing about partnering with Aya for your travel surgical tech career is the support and infrastructure that Aya provides. From the most jobs — and the most exclusive opportunities — to the support and assistance from Aya’s experience, credentialing and payroll departments, we’ve got you covered every step of the way.