If you’re thinking about pursuing a job in the medical field and are interested in the operating room, you might consider becoming a surgical tech or surgical assistant.
A surgical tech is someone who helps set up the operating room, manage equipment, and keep things sterile during surgery. Surgical technologists are typically required to earn a certification and register with their state.
Surgical assistants are similar to surgical technologists, but take on more responsibility and are more involved in helping with the actual procedure. Surgical assistants can help retract different body tissues and directly handle some surgical instruments. Surgical assistants often have an associate or bachelor's degree and complete months of on-the-job training.
This guide compares surgical techs and surgical assistants for things like salary, responsibilities, education requirements, and more to help you decide which is right for you.
Surgical Tech vs. Surgical Assistant Overview
Though both surgical techs and surgical assistants are medical professionals who help in the operating room, there are key differences, as well as similarities, between the two.
Here’s a quick overview of the two careers:
Surgical Tech Overview
Becoming a surgical technologist is a great way to get started in the healthcare field. Many people start as surgical techs and then transition into more advanced healthcare careers.
Surgical tech responsibilities include:
- Setting up surgical equipment
- Monitoring and troubleshooting equipment during surgery
- Sterilizing instruments between cases
- Organizing surgical tools for each surgery
- Preparing the patient for surgery
- Handing the surgeon instruments during the operation
- Cleaning and sanitizing the operating room in between cases.
In most states, surgical techs are required to earn a certification and register with the state. Scrub techs (another name for surgical techs) must complete an accredited training program, complete in-person internship or externship hours, and pass an exam to earn their certificate.
Most surgical technologists work in hospital operating rooms and work a weekday schedule between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm—either five 8-hour shifts, four 10-hour shifts, or three 12-hour shifts.
Most also have to be on call for a few weekends and night shifts if a patient needs emergency surgery.
They often arrive earlier than the rest of the surgical team, spending the morning gathering and preparing supplies for the day and staying after the last case is completed to clean up and sterilize equipment.
If you're interested in pursuing this growing profession, check out our online certification program that includes an in-person externship and career support.
Surgical Assistant Overview
A surgical assistant is similar to a surgical technologist but usually has more advanced responsibilities. A surgical assistant’s responsibilities include:
- Selecting and preparing the correct surgical tools
- Handling sterile suction to clear blood and body fluids
- Monitoring for bleeding and clotting
- Holding pressure on minor wounds
- Holding incisions open or organs out of the way during an operation
- Handling and positioning breathing tubes
- Managing advanced equipment like cell savers and chest tubes
If someone wants to become a surgical assistant, they will need either a degree in something healthcare-related or several years of experience working in the operating room. Often, surgical technologists work in an operating room for 2 to 3 years before being promoted to surgical assistant.
Surgical assistants work similar hours as surgical techs, usually 7 am to 7 pm on weekdays with night and weekend on-call requirements. Surgical assistants are less likely to be on call during nights and weekends if they work in smaller or more rural hospitals.
Surgical assistants also help set up and sterilize equipment, but the bulk of their day is spent working alongside the surgeon to keep the patient safe and help the operation go smoothly.
Because they deal with life-and-death situations, surgical assistants have to be confident, knowledgeable, and have great communication skills. They must also be able to speak up when they see a problem.
Key Similarities Between Surgical Techs & Surgical Assistants
Surgical techs and surgical assistants have many similarities. Many people mistakenly assume that the job titles are interchangeable.
Similarities between the two include:
- Work environment. Both jobs work in the operating room and spend their time working with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other members of the surgical team. They can both specialize in different types of surgery including cardiac, orthopedic, general surgery, or pediatrics.
- Working hours. Both surgical techs and assistants work similar hours, with scheduled shifts during regular business hours and on-call nights and weekends in case of emergencies.
- Required skills. Many of the required skills are similar for both surgical techs and assistants, including attention to detail, organization, and clear communication.
- Basic medical knowledge. Surgical techs and assistants have to have a good basic understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and surgical instruments. They must also understand infection control, sterile technique, and operating room safety.
- Pay. Surgical technologists ($55,960) make just slightly less than surgical assistants ($57,290), on average. With that being said, surgical assistants may make much more in some locations and types of healthcare facilities.
Key Differences Between Surgical Techs & Surgical Assistants
While surgical assistants and techs have some similarities, they are two separate roles within the healthcare team. Here are key differences between the two:
- Education and experience requirements. Surgical technologist is often considered an entry-level healthcare job that requires a certification at most. Surgical assistants must have a certification and are often required to have a healthcare degree. Most operating rooms only hire surgical assistants who already have several years of experience working in the operating room.
- Skill level. Surgical assistants often have more advanced knowledge of surgical instruments, anatomy and physiology, surgical techniques, and operating room management than surgical technologists.
- Scope of practice. Surgical assistants have more advanced responsibilities than surgical technologists. While technologists handle surgical equipment and instruments, assistants handle equipment, instruments, and advanced tools like suction, wound vacs, drains, and chest tubes.
Surgical Tech & Surgical Assistant Salary & Job Growth Comparison
Surgical technologists and surgical assistants both have an expected growth rate of 5% between 2022 and 2032. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 7,000 surgical technologist and assistant jobs will become available between 2022 and 2023.
Surgical tech salaries average $55,960 per year, while surgical assistants earn an average of $57,290 per year.
Many people start their careers as surgical technologists and become surgical assistants after getting a few years of experience. Some surgical technologists and assistants use their experience to help them get into medical school to become surgeons, doctors, or anesthesiologists.
Education & Certification Requirements for Surgical Techs & Surgical Assistants
Surgical technologists and surgical assistants are required to earn certifications in certain states, including:
- Connecticut
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Washington
- Virginia
Some operating rooms and healthcare organizations require surgical assistants to have a healthcare degree in addition to or instead of their certification. It is rare for a surgical assistant to be hired without any prior healthcare experience.
Most people can earn a surgical technologist certification in as little as one year by completing a training course online, through a trade school, or at a community college. It typically requires one year of training and two to three years of experience before someone can get a job as a surgical assistant.
Comparing a Day in the Life for Surgical Techs & Surgical Assistants
While surgical techs and surgical assistants do have similar work environments and schedules, their workday responsibilities are somewhat different.
A surgical tech is mostly responsible for the operating room setup and preparing surgical equipment for surgery. They will make sure the room is set up and that all tools are accounted for before the patient and surgical team arrive in the operating room. During the procedure, they will keep track of surgical instruments and may run back and forth to the supply room to gather more tools, bandages, and other necessary items.
A surgical assistant gets a lot more hands-on time with the patient and works more closely with the surgeon. They scrub in for the surgery and usually stand right next to the primary surgeon during the operation. They hand the surgeon instruments that they need, hold suction when required, hold skin and body tissues out of the way, and apply surgical dressings and bandages when necessary.
FAQs About a Surgical Tech vs. Surgical Assistant Career
Are surgical techs and surgical assistants the same?
Surgical techs and surgical assistants are similar, but they are not the same. Surgical technologists are more likely to handle surgical equipment and tools, while surgical assistants work directly with the surgeon and with the patients.
Do surgical techs or surgical assistants make more?
Surgical assistants earn slightly more than surgical techs. Surgical techs earn an average of $55,960 per year, while surgical assistants earn an average of $57,290 per year.
How long does it take to become a surgical tech vs a surgical assistant?
Most people can earn a surgical tech certification and get a job in 12 to 24 months. Because of the education and experience requirements, it takes 2 to 5 years to become a surgical assistant.
Is it harder to become a surgical tech or surgical assistant?
Most people become surgical techs before they become surgical assistants. Healthcare organizations frequently hire new surgical techs but prefer to hire surgical assistants with prior operating room experience. Therefore, it is more difficult to become a surgical assistant.
Is a surgical tech or surgical assistant higher up?
Neither a surgical technologist nor an assistant is necessarily higher up than the other. However, assistants typically have more operating room experience, a higher level of education, and a wider scope of practice than surgical technologists.
>> Read More: Scrub Nurse vs. Surgical Tech (Salary, Duties, & More)
