Surgical techs are exposed to blood and other unpleasant sights, yet they are tasked with keeping the surgical arena sterile.
This is difficult for some, who may want to pursue other careers.
However, for the right personality, the ability to think quickly on your feet, and the wish to be a vital part of a surgical team, this is an ideal career.
Let’s explore this career further.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Surgical Tech in Louisiana
Louisiana does not have any legal requirements for surgical techs, but the field is so competitive that most employers will not hire those without one.
In order to become certified, you must first complete a certificate or Associate’s degree program in Surgical Tech.
Next, you must pass the national certification exam, CST administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
You must also complete a continuing education credits to keep your certification.
5 Surgical Tech Schools in Louisiana
Herzing University
The program at Herzing will earn students an Associate of Science degree.
The surgical tech program is a 20-month long course that earns you 65 credits.
Tuition is $515 per credit.
Classes include surgical pharmacology, surgical principles and practice, surgical procedures, anatomy and physiology, and microbiology.
After the class and lab work, students undergo 540 hours of hands-on practice at actual clinical sites.
This takes place over three months.
At the end, you will sit for the national exam.
Southern University at Shreveport
The surgical tech program at Southern University is 22 months in length and requires 72 hours of classwork.
Before graduating, students must complete a clinical for three months.
This will include actual surgical tech work on 120 cases, involving a variety of surgical settings.
The coursework will include such topics as medical terminology, surgical technology, human anatomy and physiology, pathology, pharmacology and anesthesia, biomedical science, and surgical procedures.
A final class is included to review for the national certification exam.
Delgado Community College
At Delgado Community College, surgical tech students spend 16 months earning 60 credit hours of instruction.
They must also pass the national exam in order to graduate.
The program also includes a clinical.
The cost for this program is $4m388 for students that are from Louisiana.
In addition to the general classes of medical terminology and anatomy, students will also have classes in the medical-legal aspects of surgery, surgical instruments and procedures, surgical techniques, microbiology, and pharmacology.
Baton Rouge Community College
You will earn an Associate of Science degree once you complete the 69 credits required over five semesters at Baton Rouge Community College.
This course strictly follows the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology that is published by the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).
By the time you have completed this course and the clinical hours required, you will be qualified to sit for the national CST exam, which will allow you to work as a surgical tech in any state you choose, not just Louisiana.
The tuition at this school is $3,913.36 a year.
This course strictly follows the guidelines set forth by the AST so you can be assured that you have learned all the techniques you will need in most positions you seek after graduation.
Fletcher Technical Community College
The surgical tech program at Fletcher is one of the longest.
It takes six semesters to complete.
This covers 65 credit hours.
In addition, you have a required clinical before graduation.
The total cost of this program is $10,308 plus fees.
You will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology degree.
Classes you can expect to attend include medical terminology, intro to psychology, surgical procedures, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, surgical technology, and more.
At the end of your course, you will be prepared to sit for the national exam to earn your certification.
Surgical Technician Schools in Louisiana – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Louisiana
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Herzing University | 275 W Wisconsin Ave Ste. 210, Milwaukee, WI 53203, United States |
| Southern University at Shreveport | 3050 Dr Martin Luther King Dr, Shreveport, LA 71107, United States |
| Delgado Community College | 615 City Park Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119, United States |
| Baton Rouge Community College | 201 Community College Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, United States |
| Fletcher Technical Community College | 1407 LA-311, Schriever, LA 70395, United States |
Salary of a Surgical Tech in Louisiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the median salary for surgical techs in Louisiana is $50,500 yearly.
The lowest pay comes in at 440,757 and the high end sees people making $60,625 annually.
As with any career, your experience and education will factor into your pay rate.
Other things that will affect it include the size of the hospital and where in Louisiana you are seeking employment.
The larger cities will offer higher pay than smaller towns.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Surgical Technologists in Louisiana
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | $50,600 |
| Baton Rouge | $49,800 |
| Shreveport | $48,100 |
| Lafayette | $47,800 |
| Lake Charles | $48,600 |
| Kenner | $50,600 |
| Bossier City | $48,100 |
| Monroe | $47,200 |
| Alexandria | $45,900 |
| New Iberia | $47,500 |
Regional Salary in Louisiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 80 | $44,190 | $21.25 | $60,300 | $30,280 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 400 | $50,390 | $24.23 | $64,630 | $38,820 |
| Hammond, LA | 60 | $53,810 | $25.87 | $72,590 | $44,250 |
| Houma-Thibodaux, LA | 70 | $46,580 | $22.4 | $59,280 | $37,420 |
| Lafayette, LA | 260 | $45,690 | $21.97 | $59,390 | $30,620 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 80 | $39,840 | $19.15 | $55,720 | $24,360 |
| Monroe, LA | 90 | $49,730 | $23.91 | $66,680 | $37,370 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 710 | $48,780 | $23.45 | $59,790 | $37,150 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 260 | $44,730 | $21.51 | $53,980 | $38,830 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to be certified to be a surgical tech in Louisiana?
While there is no legal requirement for surgical techs to be certified, the majority of employers will not hire anyone who does not have the certificate.
How long does it take to become a surgical tech in Louisiana?
Most programs last 2 years and result in Associate degrees.
It is possible to find programs that can have you working in 18 months, but those are few and far between.
Are surgical techs in demand in Louisiana?
Yes, and the BLS estimates that before 2028, the number of positions will increase by nine percent, which is higher than the average occupational growth.
