Surgical Techs play a critical role in the operating room by preparing and sterilizing surgical equipment and then assisting surgeons and healthcare professionals during surgical procedures.
There are many benefits to becoming a Surgical Tech in New York, such as minimal educational requirements so you can enter the workforce quickly, and not have high student loan debt, a strong starting salary, and high job demand.
Most Surgical Techs enter the field to help others during their dire time of need.
If you’re interested in becoming a Surgical Tech in New York, keep reading!
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Surgical Tech in New York
There is a three-step path to licensure in New York State, including:
Step One: Education
The first step is to complete an accredited surgical technology program, which typically requires 9-24 weeks to complete, depending on the diploma type.
Step Two: Certification
The second step is to earn a certification, which is not mandated by New York State, but is required for employment and licensure.
Step Three: Licensure
The final step after completing a program and earning your CST (Certified Surgical Technology) credential is to register with the New York State Education Department.
The registration requirements include proof of the accredited program completion and passing the CST exam.
5 Surgical Tech Schools in New York
Hudson Valley Community College
HVCC has an associate of applied science Surgical Technology program that prepares graduates to become professional members of a surgical team.
The program comprises discussion and lecture classes alongside clinical activities.
The program’s focus is for those entering the field and seeking national certification.
The program length is two-years when taking classes full-time and it is accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, one of the requirements in sitting for the national certification exam.
Kingsborough Community College
Located in Brooklyn, Kingsborough Community College offers a Surgical Technology program that focuses on three areas: affective (behavior), cognitive (knowledge), and psychomotor (skills).
KCCs associate degree of applied science in Surgical Technology teaches students how to correlate medical terminology, surgical procedures, physiology, and anatomy topics to real-world applications.
Students must also understand the principles of postoperative, intraoperative, and preoperative surgical settings and apply fundamental surgical technology skills through clinical practice.
Furthermore, students must apply the principles of asepsis across all surgical experiences, recognize various patient needs, and demonstrate professional responsibility.
The program is two years in length and requires lectures and clinical experience to graduate.
Monroe Community College
Located in Rochester, Monroe Community College (MCC) offers an associate degree program that prepares graduates to enter the field with firsthand clinical training and the confidence and skills for workplace success.
Graduates can work in central supply, emergency rooms, inpatient hospital operating rooms, outpatient surgery centers, or other medical facilities.
The associate degree program requires a two-year commitment to full-time study.
The curriculum includes topics like medical terminology, basic surgical procedures, sterilization, anatomy, and physiology, as well as core classes like statistics, life sciences, and communications.
NYU Langone
New York University (NYU) has several campuses around New York City, with the main campus in Manhattan.
The NYU Surgical Technology one-year program comprises two six-month semesters with incoming students starting in September or March.
The first six months consist of labs and didactic lectures, during which participants must report to the First Avenue campus.
The second six months consist of Surgical Procedures I and II, which are pre-recorded online lectures and activities, and Clinical Practicum I and II, which must be taken in person at the assigned clinical rotation site.
The NYU Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
SUNY Niagara
Qualified graduates of the SUNY Niagara Surgical Technology program are prepared to sit for the CST examination.
Since the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs accredits SUNY Niagara’s associate of applied science degree in Surgical Technology, students are required to take lecture classes and engage in clinical rotations.
The program comprises one full-time pre-requisite semester and three full-time Surgical Technology semesters, which equates to a two-year time commitment.
During the three core Surgical Technology semesters, students will learn about human anatomy, medical terminology, surgical practices, physiology, microbiology, psychology, and mathematics.
Surgical Technician Schools in New York – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in New York
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Hudson Valley Community College | 80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180, United States |
| Kingsborough Community College | 2001 Oriental Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11235, United States |
| Monroe Community College | 1000 E Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623, United States |
| NYU Langone | 550 1st Ave., New York, NY 10016, United States |
| SUNY Niagara | 3111 Saunders Settlement Rd, Sanborn, NY 14132, United States |
Salary
The median salary for a Surgical Tech in New York is $53,100 compared to a median U.S. salary of $52,300.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Surgical Technologists in New York
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $61,100 |
| Buffalo | $50,800 |
| Rochester | $51,500 |
| Yonkers | $60,200 |
| Syracuse | $52,000 |
| Albany | $53,100 |
| New Rochelle | $59,500 |
| Mount Vernon | $60,100 |
| Schenectady | $52,900 |
| Utica | $51,400 |
Regional Salary in New York
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 250 | $53,300 | $25.62 | $73,580 | $36,100 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY | 400 | $61,290 | $29.46 | $75,110 | $48,730 |
| Elmira, NY | 30 | $55,410 | $26.64 | $81,600 | $39,350 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 5,850 | $68,360 | $32.86 | $83,730 | $49,640 |
| Rochester, NY | 360 | $53,540 | $25.74 | $71,710 | $37,270 |
| Syracuse, NY | 230 | $59,970 | $28.83 | $75,390 | $42,370 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | 50 | $57,250 | $27.53 | $72,540 | $45,780 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary duties of a surgical tech in New York?
Although a surgical tech can wear many hats depending on the employer, the main function of these healthcare professionals is being responsible to ensure smooth surgical procedures.
These experts collaborate closely with nurses, surgeons, and other surgical team members to ensure surgeries are performed efficiently and safely.
- Responsibilities include:
- Assisting with patient preparation.
- Handing supplies and instruments to surgeons.
- Maintaining and managing surgical equipment.
- Monitoring patients’ vital signs.
- Preparing the operating room by arranging and sterilizing surgical equipment.
What is on the CST exam offered in New York?
The exam consists of 175 total questions, with 150 being scored.
There is no indication on the exam of those that are scored.
The questions cover the most important and frequent tasks conducted by a Surgical Tech, which change regularly through scheduled job analysis surveys.
Those who did well in their Surgical Tech programs will have no problem with the CST exam since the concepts are the same.
To pass the exam, you must score 98/150 questions (65%) correctly.
What are the most common New York healthcare facilities that employ Surgical Techs?
Surgical techs are needed across numerous healthcare settings, but most are found in:
- Hospitals – Surgical Techs play a crucial role in operating rooms across numerous surgical procedures.
- Outpatient centers – these specialty surgery centers do not require an overnight stay for patients, so Surgical Tech are essential in ensuring smooth operations.
- Physicians’ officers – a smaller number of Surgical Techs work in surgeons’ offices where there conduct minor invasive surgical procedures.
