TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Scrubs have shed different perspectives on what it means to work in a hospital.
One positive is that more people have shown interest in the healthcare field because of the media’s influence.
Luckily, these types of jobs are always in high demand.
While the reality of hospital work isn’t nearly as juicy, it can be wildly rewarding.
If the thought of getting an operating room ready for surgery sounds appealing, perhaps it’s time to consider a career as a surgical tech in Georgia.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Surgical Tech
To become a certified surgical tech in Georgia, the completion of an accredited program comes first.
Once successfully obtaining an associate’s degree or certificate, the Certified Surgical Technologist exam must be passed.
Now, the newly minted surgical tech can start applying for jobs!
5 Surgical Tech Schools in Georgia
Gwinnett Technical College
To qualify for the program at Gwinnett Tech, students must undergo both a criminal background check and a drug screening.
Those who pass will have a pretty strict schedule.
Classes are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 4 pm.
Instruction will be a mix of lectures and labs.
When it comes to clinical cases, students will be assigned randomly.
Graduation will only commence when students have successfully passed the Certified Surgical Technologist exam.
Address: 5150 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Phone: (770) 962-7580
Chattahoochee Technical College
It takes two years to earn an associate degree at Chattahoochee Tech.
Three of those semesters are dedicated to the surgical tech program.
Part of that time will be at the hospital and the rest is in the classroom.
Hospital days start at 6:15 am and don’t end until 2:45 pm.
That’s a long day and tough to manage, along with two days a week in class.
Chattahoochee Tech offers a simulated operating room, which helps improve the confidence of students.
Address: 1040 Sandtown Rd SW, Marietta, GA 30008
Phone: (256) 265‐9416
Columbus Technical College
Columbus Tech wants students ready to pass the certification test and get to work.
They teach being quick and flawless with surgical instruments, using the aseptic technique, and safe patient care.
There’s also an emphasis on medical ethics and legal considerations.
It takes 72 credits to be a graduate with a degree in applied science.
Address: 928 Manchester Expy, Columbus, GA 31904
Phone: (706) 649-1800
Coastal Pines Technical College
At CPTC, students are prepared for entry-level work as surgical technologists.
However, you don’t even have to be legally an adult to get started.
The age requirement is 16, as long as you have a high school diploma or GED.
It takes 72 credits to graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree.
Some of those are general education, while the rest are focused on the surgical tech program.
Address: 1701 Carswell Ave, Waycross, GA 31503
Phone: (912) 287-6584
Medical Institute Of Northeast Georgia
Students graduating from MING are not only certified surgical techs but also certified sterile processors as well.
The program is intense and takes 32 weeks to complete with a 160-hour externship.
MING is one of the rare campuses that offers night classes.
In total, it costs $8,500 to finish the program.
That price includes books, supplies, labs, and certification.
Address: 1215 C Tuscany Dr, Braselton, GA 30517
Phone: (678) 425-6464
Surgical Technician Schools in Georgia – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Georgia
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Gwinnett Technical College | 5150 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30043 |
| Chattahoochee Technical College | 1040 Sandtown Rd SW, Marietta, GA 30008 |
| Columbus Technical College | 928 Manchester Expy, Columbus, GA 31904 |
| Coastal Pines Technical College | 1701 Carswell Ave, Waycross, GA 31503 |
| Medical Institute Of Northeast Georgia | 1215 C Tuscany Dr, Braselton, GA 30517 |
Salary
Becoming a surgical tech in Georgia comes with a wide range of salaries.
Entry-level positions start at around $41,000 a year.
Those with the most experience in big cities will be looking at $62,000 a year.
However, on average, surgical techs in the Peach State can look forward to a salary of $52,000
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Surgical Technologists in Georgia
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | $51,200 |
| Augusta | $48,400 |
| Columbus | $46,500 |
| Savannah | $48,900 |
| Athens | $50,800 |
| Macon | $47,000 |
| Roswell | $51,000 |
| Albany | $47,000 |
| Marietta | $51,100 |
| Valdosta | $46,800 |
Regional Salary in Georgia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, GA | 60 | $52,160 | $25.08 | $70,610 | $37,230 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 110 | $51,530 | $24.77 | $63,870 | $40,070 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 1,990 | $58,500 | $28.12 | $74,880 | $45,840 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 220 | $51,840 | $24.93 | $61,360 | $38,590 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 60 | $43,920 | $21.12 | $52,010 | $36,920 |
| Dalton, GA | 50 | $48,500 | $23.32 | $61,230 | $36,720 |
| Gainesville, GA | 130 | $55,550 | $26.71 | $72,330 | $38,970 |
| Macon, GA | 120 | $48,590 | $23.36 | $60,510 | $33,950 |
| Savannah, GA | 140 | $54,450 | $26.18 | $71,800 | $39,630 |
| Valdosta, GA | 40 | $42,420 | $20.39 | $54,470 | $36,360 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 30 | $42,330 | $20.35 | $45,310 | $39,260 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do surgical techs have a good work-life balance?
It really depends on who employs them.
Technically, they could.
If they are given schedules that are the same every week, that can be incredibly beneficial.
Unfortunately, it’s possible to have a wacky schedule more regularly than most would like.
That has a lot to do with on-call shifts, which can put your day on hold for the just-in-case calls.
Being able to have a regular, reliable schedule can do a surgical tech wonders.
Can you work as a surgical tech while pregnant?
Yes!
That’s as far as the safety of the job is concerned.
Something you might want to consider is all the other elements of the job during the period of growing a baby.
For one, being a surgical tech is a very labor-intensive job.
It might get to a point where it’s physically causing a problem for you to continue your normal duties.
If you think it’s a possibility before starting a tech program, wait until after the baby arrives to move forward with training.
If you’re already employed, it might behoove you to speak with HR about potential accommodations.
What's a negative about working as a surgical tech?
This is the type of job you’ll definitely be using a mental health day for.
Because the success of a surgery can hinge on getting everything right before anything even starts, that’s a lot of pressure.
A simple mistake in this field can cause someone major complications or worse.
That kind of ongoing weight to be carried can take a toll over time.
Truer still, if a mistake does happen, living with the consequences of it can be quite burdensome
