Known for their precision, meticulous nature, and readiness, surgical techs are indispensable members of the surgical team, acting as the surgeon’s crucial right hand. Traveling Surgical Techs extend this vital role across different healthcare facilities, bringing their expertise to where it’s needed most. These professionals are essential in providing surgeons with the instruments and sterile environment required for successful operations, all while ensuring optimal patient care through vigilant maintenance of the sterile field. The expertise and dedication of traveling surgical techs are paramount in ensuring operating rooms function with both safety and efficiency.
At familycircletravel.net, we recognize the importance of support and resources when embarking on a career as a traveling surgical tech. That’s why we aim to provide comprehensive guides and information, empowering clinicians to confidently embrace new career opportunities, expand their skill sets, and explore the country while doing so. Understanding the unique demands of travel assignments, we want to equip you with the knowledge you need to thrive in this exciting and impactful profession.
What Does a Traveling Surgical Tech Do?
The primary role of a traveling surgical tech is to ensure the smooth and safe execution of surgical procedures. This encompasses a wide array of responsibilities, beginning well before the first incision and extending through to post-operative care. A traveling surgical tech is adaptable and ready to integrate into new surgical teams and environments quickly, maintaining the highest standards of patient care and safety across diverse healthcare settings. Drawing from insights provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the core duties of these specialized professionals include:
- Operating Room Preparation: Setting up the operating room meticulously, ensuring all equipment is functional and correctly positioned for the scheduled procedures.
- Sterilization and Supply Management: Rigorous sterilization of surgical instruments and equipment. Crucially, this also involves verifying the availability of all necessary supplies before each surgery to prevent any disruptions.
- Patient Preparation for Surgery: Preparing patients directly for surgery, which includes tasks such as washing and disinfecting incision sites according to protocol and patient needs.
- Intraoperative Assistance: Directly assisting surgeons during operations by anticipating their needs and providing them with instruments and sterile supplies swiftly and accurately.
- Surgical Supply Accountability: Meticulously counting all surgical supplies, including instruments and sponges, both before and after procedures to guarantee no foreign objects are unintentionally left inside the patient.
- Maintaining a Sterile Field: Continuously upholding a sterile environment throughout the surgical procedure, strictly adhering to protocols to minimize the risk of patient infection.
Key Responsibilities of a Traveling Surgical Tech
Traveling surgical techs manage a diverse set of responsibilities that span the entire surgical process – before, during, and after operations. Their role is dynamic, requiring adaptability and a commitment to maintaining exceptional standards in every new assignment.
Pre-operative Responsibilities
Prior to surgery, the traveling surgical tech is instrumental in setting the stage for a successful procedure. This phase is crucial for ensuring safety and efficiency in the OR.
Operating Room and Equipment Readiness
A primary pre-operative task is ensuring the operating room is fully prepared. This involves detailed checks of all surgical equipment to confirm proper functionality. Traveling surgical techs must be adept at quickly learning the specifics of equipment in various facilities. They also gather and organize all necessary medications and sterile solutions, ensuring they are prepared and readily accessible.
Direct Patient Care Before Surgery
Traveling surgical techs also play a direct role in patient care before surgery even begins. This includes safely transporting patients to the operating room, ensuring their comfort and privacy. They are responsible for correctly positioning patients on the operating table, which is critical for surgical access and patient safety. Additionally, they prepare the surgical site by disinfecting it and applying sterile drapes to create a sterile field around the operative area. They also assist the surgical team with donning sterile gowns and gloves, ensuring everyone adheres to sterile protocols from the outset.
Intra-operative Responsibilities
During the operation itself, the traveling surgical tech is the surgeon’s essential support, working in concert with the surgical team to ensure a seamless and safe procedure.
Instrument and Supply Handling
A core intra-operative responsibility is the precise and timely passing of sterile surgical instruments and supplies to the surgeon and surgical first assistant. The surgical tech must anticipate the surgeon’s needs, knowing the procedure steps and the instruments likely to be required next. Beyond this, as noted by the BLS, traveling surgical techs may also be required to perform more direct tasks such as “hold retractors, hold internal organs in place during the procedure, or set up robotic surgical equipment.” These actions are vital for optimal surgical site visibility and procedure progression. When tissue specimens or other samples are collected, the surgical tech is often responsible for properly handling and preparing these for lab analysis, ensuring accurate labeling and preservation.
Communication and Collaboration in the OR
The operating room environment is often fast-paced and demanding, requiring clear and effective communication. Traveling surgical techs must possess strong interpersonal skills to quickly build rapport and work effectively with surgical teams, often composed of individuals they are meeting for the first time. In high-pressure situations, their ability to communicate clearly and professionally is essential for patient safety and procedural success.
Physical Stamina and Ergonomic Practices
The job demands significant physical endurance. Traveling surgical techs often spend long hours on their feet, sometimes up to 12 hours, moving around the operating room, and handling equipment. Therefore, maintaining good physical stamina and utilizing proper ergonomic techniques are crucial for preventing injury and ensuring a long and healthy career. This includes correct posture, lifting techniques, and awareness of body mechanics during prolonged procedures.
Post-operative Responsibilities
The responsibilities of a traveling surgical tech extend beyond the completion of the surgery, playing a crucial role in the immediate post-operative phase and room turnover.
Patient and Room Care After Surgery
Immediately following surgery, the traveling surgical tech may be involved in applying dressings to the surgical incision site, ensuring it is clean and securely covered. They also assist in the safe transfer of the patient from the operating table to a recovery bed, ensuring patient stability and comfort during the move. They may also be responsible for transporting patients to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), ensuring a smooth handover to the post-operative nursing staff. Additionally, a key post-operative task is restocking and preparing the operating room for the next procedure. This involves removing used supplies and equipment, sterilizing instruments, and replenishing stock to ensure the OR is ready for subsequent surgeries.
Adaptability in Diverse Settings
For traveling surgical techs, the ability to quickly adapt to new environments is paramount. Each healthcare facility may have different layouts, equipment, and supply locations. Travelers are expected to become proficient quickly in identifying equipment and locating essential supplies with minimal orientation, ensuring they can perform their duties efficiently and effectively from day one.
Types of Surgical Tech Travel Jobs and Specializations
While many traveling surgical techs are generalists capable of working across various surgical specialties, opportunities exist to specialize in specific areas. These specialized roles allow surgical techs to deepen their expertise and focus on particular types of surgeries. Common surgical tech travel specialties include:
CVOR Surgical Tech (Cardiovascular Operating Room)
CVOR surgical techs, also known as cardiac surgical techs, specialize in cardiovascular procedures. These professionals work in operating rooms where surgeries of the heart and major vessels are performed. Procedures can range from common coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and aneurysm repairs to complex heart transplants. A CVOR surgical tech’s duties are specialized and critical, including preparing the OR with both sterile and highly specialized non-sterile equipment needed for cardiac surgery. They must be intimately familiar with the instruments and equipment used in these delicate procedures. During surgery, they are responsible for handing instruments to the surgeon, maintaining the sterile field, and may also assist with patient transport, positioning, and draping specific to cardiac procedures. Typically, facilities require CVOR travel surgical techs to have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and substantial recent experience, often 12-24 months, specifically in cardiac surgical settings. Shift patterns can vary, including three 12-hour, four 10-hour, or five 8-hour shifts, and may include day, evening, or night rotations.
OB Surgical Tech (Obstetrics Operating Room)
OB surgical techs, or labor and delivery surgical techs, focus on surgeries related to childbirth and maternal health. They work in operating rooms within obstetrics departments, primarily assisting during cesarean sections (C-sections) and other surgical interventions during high-risk deliveries. The role of an OB surgical tech is vital in ensuring the safety of both mother and child during surgical deliveries. Responsibilities include preparing specialized equipment for OB surgeries and anticipating the needs of the surgical team by providing specific instruments, sutures, and sponges required in obstetric procedures. Maintaining a sterile field is of utmost importance in OB to prevent infection in both the mother and newborn. For travel OB surgical tech positions, facilities generally require BLS certification and 12-24 months of recent experience in an OB surgical setting.
Ortho Surgical Tech (Orthopedic Operating Room)
Orthopedic surgical techs specialize in surgeries related to the musculoskeletal system. They work in operating rooms where patients undergo a broad spectrum of orthopedic procedures, from joint replacements (hip, knee, shoulder) and spine surgeries to procedures involving the extremities like hand and wrist surgeries. Ortho surgical techs must be knowledgeable about the specific instruments and implants used in orthopedic surgery. Their tasks include preparing both sterile and non-sterile equipment specific to orthopedic cases, and providing surgeons with instruments, implants, and supplies as needed. They are also responsible for opening sterile packages and maintaining the sterile field throughout often lengthy orthopedic procedures. To qualify for travel ortho surgical tech jobs, BLS certification and 12-24 months of recent orthopedic surgical tech experience are typically required.
First Assist Surgical Technologists
For surgical techs seeking advanced roles, becoming a surgical first assist is a significant career step. Surgical first assists undergo more extensive training and have a broader scope of practice compared to standard surgical techs. Many first assists begin their careers as surgical techs and then pursue specialized training to advance. A key distinction is that surgical first assists are qualified to perform more hands-on surgical tasks under the surgeon’s direct supervision, including wound closure and tissue manipulation.
According to the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA), surgical first assistants are crucial in “assisting physicians in surgery and may perform specific significant surgical tasks under professional supervision.” These tasks can include:
- Surgical site opening and closure
- Surgical site exposure
- Graft harvesting
- Tissue dissection and removal
- Implanting devices
- Tissue alteration
- Application and removal of splints/casts
- Placement of urinary catheters, IV lines, and arterial lines
- Administering local anesthesia
The recognized gold-standard certifications for surgical first assists are the Certified Surgical First Assistant examination (CSFA-ERC) offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), the CSA (Certified Surgical Assistant) certification from the NCCSA, and the SA-C certification from the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA). For travel first assist surgical tech positions, facilities generally require at least 12 months of recent relevant experience and BLS certification, alongside the necessary first assist certification.
Travel Surgical Tech Salary Expectations
The financial rewards for traveling surgical techs can be substantial, reflecting the critical skills and adaptability they bring to healthcare facilities nationwide. While salaries can vary based on location, specialty, experience, and demand, travel assignments often offer competitive compensation packages.
According to recent data, the average weekly salary for travel surgical tech jobs is around $2,191, with a median hourly pay of $57. This can translate to a gross salary of approximately $28,483 for a standard 13-week assignment.*
Several factors can influence a travel surgical tech’s earning potential. Greater years of experience typically command higher pay rates, as does specialization in high-demand areas like CVOR or first assist roles. Geographic location also plays a significant role, with assignments in areas with higher cost of living or greater need often offering increased compensation. Shift differentials for evening, night, or weekend shifts can also boost earnings. Furthermore, certification as a surgical first assist can significantly increase salary potential due to the advanced skills and responsibilities associated with this role.
*Salary data is subject to change and is based on average weekly salaries for Nomad Health surgical techs as of June 26, 2023. Current rates may vary.
Maximizing Your Earning Potential as a Travel Surgical Tech
For those looking to maximize their income in travel surgical tech roles, the highest-paying assignments can offer weekly salaries reaching $3,640 or more, equating to up to $74 per hour. This could result in a gross income of around $47,320 for a standard 13-week contract.* To find these top-tier opportunities, it’s beneficial to utilize resources that allow for customized job searches based on salary preferences, location, shift, and contract duration. Flexibility in location and shift availability can significantly expand the range of higher-paying opportunities available.
*Salary data is subject to change and is based on the highest weekly salaries for Nomad Health surgical techs as of June 26, 2023. Current rates may vary.
Steps to Embark on a Career as a Travel Surgical Tech
Becoming a traveling surgical tech involves a structured pathway of education, certification, and experience. Here are the key steps to launch your career in this dynamic field:
Step 1: Graduate from an Accredited Surgical Technologist Program
The foundational step is to complete a surgical technologist program accredited by recognized bodies such as the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Unlike some healthcare professions, a four-year university degree is not typically required for surgical techs, making it possible to enter the field relatively quickly. Most programs are offered by community colleges or vocational schools and usually require a high school diploma or GED for enrollment.
Step 2: Obtain a Professional Surgical Tech Certification
While not always mandated by law, obtaining a professional certification is highly recommended and often preferred or required by employers. The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) is widely considered the gold standard in the industry. Another recognized certification is the Tech in Surgery (TS-C) offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Certification demonstrates a commitment to professional standards and enhances job prospects.
Step 3: Acquire Relevant Work Experience
Gaining practical experience is crucial. It is generally recommended to have at least 12 months of relevant surgical tech experience before pursuing travel assignments. When seeking employment, it is important to verify the specific requirements of the state board where you plan to work, as professional regulations can vary. For travel positions, many facilities require a minimum of six to 12 months of recent surgical tech experience to ensure travelers are prepared for the demands of new and varied surgical environments. Specialized travel roles may require 12 to 24 months of recent experience in the specific subspecialty.
Step 4: Apply for Travel Surgical Tech Positions
Once you have met the experience and certification requirements, you are ready to apply for travel surgical tech jobs. Always consult the state board of nursing or relevant regulatory body in the states where you intend to work to ensure you meet all current requirements. Additionally, confirm that the facilities you are applying to accept your specific certifications, as acceptance criteria can differ between institutions.
Essential Healthcare Resources for Surgical Technologists
- National Center for Competency Testing. “Tech in Surgery – Certified (NCCT).” Retrieved from https://www.ncctinc.com/certifications/tech-in-surgery-certified.
- National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. Retrieved from https://www.nbstsa.org/.
- Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. Retrieved from https://www.abhes.org/.
- American Board of Surgical Assistants. Retrieved from https://absa.net/.
