Surgical technologists play a pivotal role in healthcare, working with surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and others on the surgical team.
The surgical technologist’s role ranges from preparing the patient to washing, shaving, disinfecting the area to be operated on, and providing emotional support.
It also includes transporting the patient.
During the operation, surgical techs are responsible for sterilizing surgical equipment and handling medical instruments during and post-surgery.
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How to Become a Surgical Tech in Missouri
Missouri is a state that allows each employer to select the necessary standards and hiring criteria.
Candidates interested in this field will have a well-balanced array of skills.
They need to work well with others in a fast-paced medical team environment, have satisfactory manual dexterity, stand for long spells, and calmly and effectively perform under workplace conditions that can sometimes be intense and high-pressure.
Candidates need a high school diploma or equivalency to enroll in one of these accredited training programs.
To find a school or training institution, candidates may want to check their choices against the:
- The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
- The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
These reputable and responsible organizations accredit medical schools nationwide.
Any graduate from a surgical technology program on these lists can take the voluntary national exam to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).
The training’s end goal is to give individuals interested in this surgical team specialty the education and experience to enter the profession as an entry-level surgical technologist.
Candidates will have a cognitive (understanding), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavioral) skill set that brings vital skills to the surgical team.
Surgical Tech Schools in Missouri
Are you searching for a program to become a surgical technologist?
One of the first decisions candidates make is to choose the training that will meet their needs.
Training programs can be as brief as 12 months for a certificate, and conversely, it can take two years to earn the combined associate degree and to acquire the specialized training.
Discover institutes of higher education that deliver a BA, AA, or Surgical Technologist Certificate to help candidates on their way to a fast-paced, demanding, and rewarding career in the medical field, working as an independent part of a healthcare team.
North Central Missouri College
The Surgical Technology program lets students earn an AAS degree after completing the eleven-month program.
The core program takes three full-time semesters and has a competency-based curriculum created to support healthcare professionals.
Note that some courses must be conducted at the Savannah Campus location.
Website: https://www.ncmissouri.edu/academics/surgical-technology/
1301 Main Street Trenton MO 64683
1-660-359-3948
601 N US Hwy 71, Savannah, MO 64485
816-324-8001
St. Louis Community College
This program prepares candidates for a rewarding profession.
Students learn patient care, instrumentation, surgical procedures, and more in the classroom, lab, and clinical practice.
This course provides medical knowledge, experience, and responsibility for patient care during operations.
The suggested academic plan unites general education with areas of concentration.
Website: https://stlcc.edu/programs-academics/pathways/health-professions/surgical-technology/
5600 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110
314-644-9645
Metropolitan Community College
This three-semester program, which accepts approximately twenty-five students per cohort, starts in June.
Candidates sit for the NBSTSA certification exam as part of the program.
Website: https://mcckc.edu/programs/surgical-technology/index.aspx
3200 Broadway Kansas City, MO 64111
816-604-1000
State Fair Community College
The SFCC Surgical Technology program is a 12-month program starting in August each year.
The didactic (lecture) courses are presented in online and hybrid (online and in-person) formats.
Candidates must work their laboratory hours at the SFCC Clinton campus and clinical hours in person again.
Contingent Admission is offered.
Website: https://www.sfccmo.edu/academics-programs/areas-of-study/surgical-technology/
3201 W. 16th Street Sedalia, Missouri 65301-2188
877-311-7322
Ozarks Technical Community College
Candidates can pursue either an Associate in Applied Science Degree or a certificate.
Both career paths allow candidates to work as surgical technologists in healthcare settings.
The AAS takes roughly two years, while the certificate program is around one year.
The coursework combines classroom education with clinical practice.
Students will successfully be able to perform proper instrument sterilization processes and operating room turnover techniques and assume the role of first or second scrub tech during surgery.
Website: https://academics.otc.edu/sur/
1001 E. Chestnut Expressway Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 447-7500
Surgical Technician Schools in Missouri – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Missouri
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| North Central Missouri College | 601 N US Hwy 71, Savannah, MO 64485 |
| St. Louis Community College | 5600 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110 |
| Metropolitan Community College | 3200 Broadway Kansas City, MO 64111 |
| State Fair Community College | 3201 W. 16th Street Sedalia, Missouri 65301-2188 |
| Ozarks Technical Community College | 1001 E. Chestnut Expressway Springfield, MO 65802 |
Salary
So, how much remuneration does a surgical technician earn in a larger city, say Springfield, MO?
The intermediate Surgical Technician salary, as of 2024, in Springfield, MO, is $47,000.
The range generally runs from $42,300 to $52,000, and experience, education, certifications, and auxiliary skills influence salary.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Surgical Technologists in Missouri
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas City | $51,300 |
| St. Louis | $51,300 |
| Springfield | $47,100 |
| Independence | $51,300 |
| Columbia | $50,900 |
| St. Joseph | $50,800 |
| Lee's Summit | $51,100 |
| St. Charles | $51,000 |
| St. Peters | $50,900 |
| Florissant | $51,200 |
Regional Salary in Missouri
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | 60 | $49,690 | $23.89 | $57,670 | $37,820 |
| Columbia, MO | 120 | $46,490 | $22.35 | $59,230 | $39,910 |
| Joplin, MO | 80 | $55,230 | $26.55 | $70,420 | $39,130 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 710 | $56,210 | $27.03 | $72,470 | $43,560 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 30 | $57,720 | $27.75 | $62,260 | $42,220 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 690 | $60,860 | $29.26 | $76,070 | $44,600 |
| Springfield, MO | 240 | $50,050 | $24.06 | $65,080 | $39,040 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do surgical technologists need to keep up and get recertified?
After earning certification, it is vital to keep up with best practices and advancements in the surgical field and career practice.
Most certifying organizations require surgical technicians to complete continuing education credits within a specified time to maintain their certification.
And yes, the Show-Me-State, to no one’s surprise, asks that you show them via continuing education and recertification.
What sort of places hire surgical techs in Missouri?
There’s an excellent demand for surgical technicians in the great state of Missouri.
Their role is indispensable in hospitals, outpatient centers, doctors’ offices, and clinics.
What's the career forecast for surgical technicians in Missouri?
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the number of surgical assistants/technologists is expected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, more rapidly than the average for all careers.
