It takes a special person to be a great surgical tech.
This position is an essential part of every surgical procedure and anyone in this position must be conscientious, pay attention to detail, and be able to think ahead.
You need to be able to respond quickly in an emergency situation and you can’t be bothered by seeing blood or handling body tissue for processing.
Another must is being able to provide a comforting presence to those who are in a stressful situation.
If you think you have what it takes, let’s explore this career further.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Surgical Tech in Alaska
While the state of Alaska does not require a surgical tech to be licensed, many employers want their employees to hold at least a post-secondary certificate or associate degree, preferably in Surgical Technology.
Depending on the path taken, this certificate takes 9–24 months to complete.
Classes must include such topics as anatomy, physiology, and surgical procedures.
A few of the larger employers want candidates for these positions to pass the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam.
This exam is administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
Passing this test will open up positions across the United States.
Five Schools Leading to Surgical Tech Careers in Alaska
Until recently, most surgical tech positions were filled by other hospital workers who were given hands-on training for the position.
Today a few schools have surgical tech programs.
Other options are to take classes that can help you get a foot into a medical setting, where you can demonstrate your knowledge and get the training.
University of Alaska at Anchorage
The Surgical Technology course at this university is fully accredited and designed to prepare students to take their licensing exam.
Students will take classes in surgical procedures, anatomy, microbiology, and medical terminology, among others.
The school offers a lab facility for hands-on learning and clinicals are available upon completion of academic and lab work.
The cost of the program is $28,792 but can be reduced with financial aid to be as low as $12,531.
The following two schools offer programs that will help you get a headstart on the things you need to know to become a surgical tech.
University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska at Fairbanks offers a pre-nursing certificate that covers much of what you will need for a surgical tech position.
You will study human anatomy and physiology, nutrition psychology, scientific writing, general chemistry and biochemistry.
The cost is $23,196 but is eligible for financial aid.
University of Alaska Southeast
The University of Alaska Southeast also offers a pre-nursing certificate program that has students taking human anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, human interaction, by the time you finish, you should have a firm grasp of many of the skills you would need as a surgical tech.
This can help you get a foot in the door.
The average cost for this program is $7,368 after financial aid.
Because surgical tech education requires many hours of hands-on training, there are no online programs for surgical techs.
There are, however, some online programs that can give you a good background for the knowledge you will need.
Logan University
Logan University if different than many other educational institutes.
First, it is designed for online students.
It also approaches all its majors from a Wholistic point of view, incorporating alternative procedures into the curriculum.
Their Life Science program is designed to get students a BS in Life Science and incorporates cell biology and other human anatomy classes.
The program takes 3-4 years.
The cost is $375 per credit hour and you will need 120 credit hours to graduate.
University of Florida
This program is focused on Bioology and allows students to pursue seven different tracks of learning, depending on where they want to end up.
Upon completion, you will have a BA in Biology, and will have covered such subjects as Human anatomy and physiology, human diseases, and more.
You have access to state-of-the-art labs The cost is $129.18 per credit.
Surgical Technician Schools in Alaska – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Alaska
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| University of Alaska at Anchorage | 3211 Providence Dr, Anchorage, AK 99508, United States |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | 505 S Chandalar, Fairbanks, AK 99775, United States |
| University of Alaska Southeast | 11066 Auke Lake Way, Juneau, AK 99801, United States |
| Logan University | 1851 Schoettler Rd, Chesterfield, MO 63017, United States |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL 32611, United States |
Salary of a Surgical Tech In Alaska
The average salary for a surgical tech in Alaska is $57,600 annually.
As with other positions, the salary depends on many factors, such as the size of the facility you work in, the amount of experience, and your education.
The lowest salaries are around $51,800 annually and the highest come in at $63,700 a year.
The highest pay is found in the bigger cities of Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Surgical Technologists in Alaska
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Anchorage | $57,800 |
| Juneau | $57,800 |
| Fairbanks | $58,200 |
| Sitka | $57,000 |
| Ketchikan | $57,000 |
| Kenai | $57,000 |
| Kodiak | $57,000 |
| Bethel | $57,000 |
| Wasilla | $57,000 |
| Barrow | $57,401 |
Regional Salary in Alaska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | 170 | $76,770 | $36.91 | $97,690 | $51,110 |
| Fairbanks, AK | 50 | $67,780 | $32.59 | $81,510 | $50,270 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Alaska require a surgical tech license?
Alaska is one state that does not require surgical techs to be licensed.
Many employers, however, will give an advantage to those who hold a certificate, including offering higher pay.
What can I earn as a surgical tech in Alaska?
The average pay for surgical techs in Alaska is $57,600 a year.
This includes a low-end pay of $51,800 to a high-end of $63,700.
Is there a huge demand for surgical techs in Alaska?
There are currently approximately 290 surgical tech positions throughout Alaska.
The number of annual openings is 20, mostly due to people changing careers or retiring.
