Who makes the entire surgical procedure flow smoothly?
It isn’t the surgeon.
The surgical tech is responsible for seeing that the surgeon has all the right tools as soon as they are needed.
If something goes wrong, the surgical tech must be able to quickly change course and know what the surgeon requires.
A great surgical tech can think ahead, multi-task, stay calm in an emergency, and make sure the environment stays as sterile as possible.
Do you have what it takes to be a surgical tech? Read on to find out.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Surgical Tech in Nebraska
The state of Nebraska doesn’t require surgical techs to be licensed.
It has been found, however, that few, if any, employer will hire one who does not have at least a degree in Surgical Technology.
The higher-paying positions will also require national certification.
In order to effectively compete in the Nebraska job market, you will do best by having both a degree and your certification.
5 Surgical Tech Schools in Nebraska
Metropolitan Community College
The surgical tech program at Metropolitan Community College only accepts 25 students a year.
This 66-70 credit program lasts for three semesters and those who finish sit for the national certification exam.
They receive an Associate in Applied Science degree.
The cost of the entire program is $14,364 and financial aid is available.
Before being accepted into the program, you must pass a criminal background test and drug screening.
You must also carry liability insurance.
Classes include microbiology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, human communication, surgical technology, pharmacology, and surgical procedures.
The program is finished off with a clinical and capstone project.
Southeast Community College
Before being accepted into the 63.5 credit hour program at Southeast Community College, you will need both a criminal background check and a drug screening.
You will also need to provide a current BLS for Healthcare certificate and a CPR certificate.
A TB test is also required.
The cost of attending is $15 per credit hour.
This school allows students to opt for online academic classes but you must attend in-person labs and clinicals.
There are two clinicals, each lasting ten weeks.
The first is 225 hours and the second 270 hours.
In total, you must attend 120 surgical cases in order to graduate.
Classes include pharmacology and dosage calculations, surgical technology, surgical procedures, and oral and written communications.
Concorde
Concorde offers an Associate of Science in Surgical Technology degree.
This 68 credit hours course can be completed in 17 months and costs $38,692.
The school covers the normally required courses of anatomy and physiology, surgical procedures, surgical technology, and pharmacology, as well as required labs.
In order to graduate, students must complete a clinical that has them attending and participating in 120 surgical procedures of various kinds.
Concorde does not offer any preparation for the national exam but does state that graduates are fully prepared to pass the exam when they take it.
Western Nebraska Community College
You can earn your Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology degree in 2 years at Western Nebraska Community College.
The program is 60/61 credit hours and costs a total of $9,371.48.
Classes include surgical procedure, pharmacology, principles and practices of surgical technology, human communication, anatomy, and physiology.
In addition, students must complete three clinical practices, two of which last eight weeks each.
Nebraska Methodist College
Nebraska Methodist College offers an Associate of Science in Surgical Technology degree that lasts 21 months and prepares students to take the national certification test.
The cost is $26,042.
In addition to the typical classes of human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, surgical technology, and surgical procedures, this school offers some different classes in the program.
They include language and culture in healthcare, psychology, and medical law and ethics.
There is a case studies class in which students attend hospital rounds and form their own opinions of cases.
There are also two clinicals involved in order to graduate.
Surgical Technician Schools in Nebraska – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Nebraska
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan Community College | 5300 N 30th St, Omaha, NE 68111, United States |
| Southeast Community College | 8800 O St, Lincoln, NE 68520, United States |
| Concorde | 4393 Imperial Ave Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92113, United States |
| Western Nebraska Community College | 1601 E 27th St, Scottsbluff, NE 69361, United States |
| Nebraska Methodist College | 720 N 87th St, Omaha, NE 68114, United States |
Salary of Surgical Techs in Nebraska
According to Salary.com, the mean salary for a surgical tech in Nebraska is $49,700 annually.
The salaries reported range from a low of $40,148 to a high of $59,825.
The salary you can learn will depend on your education and amount of experience.
It will also be affected by the facility you work in and the
size of the area you work in.
The number of candidates for a particular position can also play into the amount a surgical tech will be offered.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Surgical Technologists in Nebraska
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Omaha | $49,900 |
| Lincoln | $48,900 |
| Bellevue | $49,900 |
| Grand Island | $48,200 |
| Kearney | $48,200 |
| Fremont | $48,900 |
| Hastings | $48,200 |
| North Platte | $47,800 |
| Norfolk | $46,100 |
| Columbus | $48,200 |
Regional Salary in Nebraska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | 140 | $60,750 | $29.21 | $63,950 | $51,490 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 410 | $63,920 | $30.73 | $76,580 | $49,030 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a surgical tech in Nebraska?
Legally, you do not need a license to work as a surgical tech in Nebraska, but it will be very difficult to find an employer who will hire you without your certification.
Where do surgical techs work in Nebraska?
There are numerous settings in which a surgical tech can work in Nebraska.
These include a hospital, outpatient facility, physician’s clinic, or dental office.
How much does a surgical tech in Nebraska earn?
The median salary for surgical techs in Nebraska is $49,700 a year.
The lowest reported salaries are $40.148 and the highest are $59,825 annually.
