How to Become a Surgical Tech in Mississippi

A surgical technologist plays a crucial role in the OR.

Their duties include preparing the operating room, preparing patients, and assisting with the surgery itself.

As a surgical technician, you may be responsible for suturing incisions and retracting tissues, as well as interacting with patients.

Licensing Requirements to Become A Surgical Tech in Mississippi

Mississippi doesn’t currently require surgical technologists to be certified or licensed.

However, most employers do require you to be certified to be considered for employment.

Certification Eligibility

The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or NBSTSA, is the most common licensing body for surgical technologists.

There are a few ways to become eligible for certification.

The most common path to certification is completing a surgical technology training program that is CAAHEP or ABHES-approved.

Once you’ve graduated from the program, you are eligible to take the CST exam.

If you’ve completed a military surgical technician program, you are also eligible for certification.

To apply for certification, you’ll need to send in an application with proof you’ve completed the program.

You’ll also pay a fee of $190 for AST members and $290 for nonmembers.

Next, you’ll schedule your CST examination.

CST Examination

The CST examination has 175 test questions.

150 of these are scored.

You must get 98 out of 150 questions correct to pass the examination.

If you fail, you may retake the test at a later date.

You’ll have four hours to complete the examination.

You may take breaks, but the clock doesn’t stop.

It’s important to allow yourself enough time to complete the test.

Certification

If you pass the exam, you will receive your CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) designation.

You may use CST after your name on resumes and other documents.

5 Surgical Tech Schools in Mississippi

Hinds Community College

Hinds Community College offers a one-year surgical technologist program.

The program is 3 semesters long, and begins in August.

You’ll have a fall, spring, and summer semester.

You’ll earn an Associate of Applied Science degree when completing the program.

Courses in the program include anatomy and physiology, surgical technology, specialized surgical procedures, and advanced surgical procedures.

You’ll also take general education courses, including English composition, pre-algebra, Public Speaking, and humanities electives.

To qualify for the program, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED.

You’ll also need to be up to date on immunizations and pass a background check.

Pearl River Community College

Pearl River Community College has three campuses in Mississippi.

They offer an Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology.

There are two start dates each year, in August and January.

The program takes 3 semesters.

You’ll need a total of 65 credit hours to graduate.

The program offers plenty of hands-on study in the lab, as well as classroom learning.

Courses include Surgical Anatomy, Surgical Microbiology, Basic and Related Surgical Procedures, and Advanced Surgical Procedures.

General education courses required include English Composition, Math or Science elective, Social or Behavioral Science electives, and Arts or Humanities electives.

You can expect to spend $2,000 to $3,000 on costs related to the surgical technology program per semester, including physical and scrubs.

Cost per semester is typically $1,750 for in-state students attending full time.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, or MGCCC, offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology.

The program takes one year to complete, but you’ll need to complete prerequisite courses before starting the program.

MGCCC offers a mix of classroom instruction and hands on learning.

This includes attending class and lectures, and hands on labs in the operating room suites.

You’ll also work in local operating rooms, outpatient surgical centers, and hospitals as part of the program.

During the program, students learn to prepare operating rooms and equipment, sterilization techniques, wound classification and healing, and how to assist surgeons before, during, and after surgical procedures.

East Mississippi Community College

East Mississippi Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology.

The program is 12 months long, and requires 68 credit hours.

To apply, you’ll need to apply to the college, and the surgical technology program.

Acceptance into the college doesn’t guarantee acceptance into the surgical tech program.

The program includes 45 credit hours in Surgical technology courses.

These include Fundamentals of Surgical Technology, Surgical Microbiology, and Specialized Surgical Procedures.

Clinical practice is also included.

You’ll also complete 23 credit hours of general education courses, including College Algebra, English Composition, and Anatomy and Physiology.

Holmes Community College

Holmes Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology.

The program takes 12 months to complete.

You’ll need to take prerequisite courses, including Anatomy and Physiology and English Composition before beginning the program.

Surgical Technician Schools in Mississippi – Summary Table

Salary

The average salary for a certified surgical technologist in Mississippi is $48,857.

Salaries typically range between $43,914 and $53,760.

Regional Salary in Mississippi