Are you thinking about becoming a surgical technician and residing in New Mexico? Surgical technicians are sometimes referred to as surgical technologists.
They play an important role in the surgical team.
They work by assisting surgeons and various other healthcare professionals to make sure that surgical procedures run efficiently.
They are in charge of preparing the operating room, sterilizing equipment, passing instruments to the surgeon, and ensuring the patients are adequately supported.
If this sounds like something you can see yourself doing, this guide will provide you with the information you need to know to pursue your dreams of becoming a surgical technician.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Surgical Tech
To become a surgical technician in New Mexico, you must first meet the specific legal and educational requirements.
One of the first things you must do is enroll in a surgical technician program.
Programs should be accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Normally, surgical technician programs can take anywhere between one and two years to complete.
Once you have completed this program, you will receive a diploma, certificate, or associate’s degree.
Once you have completed the program, you should obtain your certificate through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
Certification can also be obtained through the National Center for Competency Testing. However, candidates must first pass the CST exam.
5 Surgical Tech Schools in New Mexico
Here is a list of schools in New Mexico that offer surgical tech programs:
1. Central New Mexico Community College
900 University Blvd SE l Albuquerque, NM 87106 l 505-224-3000
First on the list is Central New Mexico Community College.
They offer a surgical technology associate’s degree program.
In this program, students will receive classroom and lab instruction.
This program ranges from 62-68 credit hours, over five semesters.
The program takes two years to complete.
Tuition for this program costs a total of $1,578.
2. San Juan Community College
4601 College Blvd l Farmington, NM 87402 k 505-326-3311
San Juan Community College also offers a surgical tech program.
With this program, students have the option to choose between on-campus or online classes.
The lab courses must be taken on campus though.
The time it takes for students to complete this program depends on whether students have completed the required prerequisites.
If students have completed the required prerequisites, the program will take only a year to complete.
In this program, students will study the following:
- Microbiology
- Medical terminology
- Cellular and molecular biology
- Human anatomy and physiology
The cost for this program per credit hour is $178.
3. New Mexico State University
1780 E University Ave l Las Cruces, NM 88003 l 575-646-0111
Another program worth checking out is the surgical tech program at New Mexico State University.
This program offers students the option of taking courses online.
Upon completing this program, students will receive an associate’s degree.
Certain courses that students will take in this program include:
- Composition I
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I for the Health Sciences
- Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- Public Speaking Intro to Communication
- Microbiology and Microbiology Lab
The cost per credit hour for this program is $76.75.
4. Southeast New Mexico College
1500 University Dr l Carlsbad, NM 88220 l 575-234-9200
Another way to earn an associate’s degree in surgical technology is by enrolling in a program through Southeast New Mexico College.
This program is a total of 24 months and offers hands-on training and clinical training throughout the state.
Moreover, students will be well-prepared to sit for the NCCT Certification Exam upon completion of this program.
Tuition here will depend on whether you are a Carlsbad resident, New Mexico resident, or out-of-state student.
Tuition can range anywhere from $492 to $1,908.
5. Carrington College
1001 Menaul Blvd NE l AAlbuquerque, NM 87107 l 505-200-3745
Finally, Carrington College in Albuquerque offers a surgical tech program.
Here, students will learn basic surgical procedures, surgical case management, advanced surgical procedures, and introduction to surgical technology.
Upon completion of this 15-month program, students will receive an associate of science degree in surgical technology.
Financial aid is available for this program.
Surgical Technician Schools in New Mexico – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in New Mexico
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Central New Mexico Community College | 900 University Blvd SE l Albuquerque, NM 87106 |
| San Juan Community College | 4601 College Blvd l Farmington, NM 87402 |
| New Mexico State University | 1780 E University Ave l Las Cruces, NM 88003 |
| Southeast New Mexico College | 1500 University Dr l Carlsbad, NM 88220 |
| Carrington College | 1001 Menaul Blvd NE l AAlbuquerque, NM 87107 |
Salary
The average salary for surgical technicians in New Mexico is $49,200.
However, the typical range is anywhere between $44,200 and $54,400.
Your salary will depend on various factors, including additional skills you may have, education, and certification.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Surgical Technologists in New Mexico
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $49,300 |
| Las Cruces | $45,400 |
| Santa Fe | $49,500 |
| Rio Rancho | $49,100 |
| Roswell | $46,000 |
| Farmington | $48,700 |
| Alamogordo | $46,800 |
| Clovis | $46,800 |
| Hobbs | $46,400 |
| Sunland Park | $45,700 |
Regional Salary in New Mexico
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 320 | $52,390 | $25.19 | $68,970 | $39,260 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 70 | $51,870 | $24.94 | $68,550 | $32,190 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What career paths and opportunities can I pursue in New Mexico after I receive my surgical tech certificate?
You can go down various routes as a surgical technician in New Mexico.
For instance, you can apply to become a traveling surgical technician, sales rep, educator, operating room technician, surgical assistant, etc.
Where exactly do surgical techs work in New Mexico?
As a surgical technician, you can find employment in different settings.
For instance, you can check out outpatient surgery centers, physician’s offices, and hospitals.
What skills are required to work as a surgical technician in New Mexico?
The most important skills that you must have when working as a surgical tech are:
- Detail-oriented
- Team player
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to take direction
- Able to understand medical terminology
