Surgical techs have a variety of duties, such as making sure that the operating room is safe, and making sure that surgeons have the equipment and sterile instruments that they need for surgery.
Ohio’s surgical technologists have other responsibilities, including making sure that equipment functions properly, and performing duties such as operating robotic equipment and preparing bone drills.
Ohio’s surgical techs work under the direct supervision of surgeons.
They have an important role in operating room preparation and surgical procedures, yet do not have to earn an advanced degree.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Surgical Tech in Ohio
The state of Ohio does not require surgical techs to have a license.
The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) urges people who want to become a surgical technologist to graduate from an accredited surgical technology program.
They should also earn and maintain a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential.
The exam is administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
Sitting for the exam requires that students must have graduated from a surgical technologist program that is accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Certified Surgical Technologists (CSTs) maintain their credential by completing approved continuing education credits.
Many employers require surgical techs to have completed an accredited surgical technology program and earn a passing score on the national exam.
5 Surgical Tech Schools in Ohio
Several Ohio schools offer accredited surgical technologist programs.
Students should make sure that the school offers the opportunity to sit for the exam.
Columbus State Community College
Columbus State Community College offers a Surgical Technology Associate in Applied Science program.
The five-semester program includes academic, lab, and clinical skills.
The school offers a three-semester Certificate in Surgical Technology concurrent with the associate in applied science program.
Students complete a surgical technology course each term.
They complete Human Anatomy, Advanced Medical Terminology, Human Physiology, and Basic Electrocardiography.
Students also complete Pharmacology and Introduction to Microbiology.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Tuition for Ohio residents is $177.93 per credit hour, as of the summer 2024 term.
Cincinnati State
The Surgical Technology Associate in Applied Science degree at Cincinnati State is a 65-credit hour program.
Students apply to the three-year program after they complete their first semester.
The curriculum consists of courses that include:
- Introduction to Surgical Technology
- Surgical Foundations and Procedures
- Microbiology
- Advanced Surgical Procedures
- Surgical Technology Clinical Skills Application
Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) exam to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs accredits the program.
The summer 2024 tuition for in-state students is $183.64 per credit hour.
Sinclair College
Sinclair College started its Surgical Technology Associate of Applied Science program in 1998.
The program has a goal of providing students with the skills and knowledge to become entry-level surgical techs.
Students complete coursework, labs, and clinical rotation.
Program courses include:
- Theory and Fundamentals
- The Surgical Process
- Surgical Procedures
- Directed Practice for Surgical Procedures
- Surgical Technology Review
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
The Fall 2024 term tuition for Montgomery County residents is $146.03 per credit hour.
Stark State College
The Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology program at Stark State College is a four-semester program.
Students’ complete classroom, labs, and clinical learning experiences.
The school has an on-campus surgical technology lab.
Some program courses include:
- Principles of Surgery
- Surgical Pharmacology
- Surgical Anatomy and Pathology
- Surgical Specialties
- Surgical Clinical Practicum
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs accredits the program.
The fall 2024 tuition at the North Canton, Ohio school is $199.60 per credit hour.
Lorain County Community College
The 64-credit hour Associate in Surgical Technology program at Lorain County Community College provides students with the principles, practices, and skills that are necessary for surgical techs.
Some of the program courses include:
- Career Exploration in Surgical Technology
- General Microbiology
- Surgical Sterilization Methods
- Surgical Technology – Surgical Procedures
- Advanced Surgical Technology Concepts
Students take the Certified Surgical Technologist exam in their last semester.
The tuition is $164.03 per credit hour for county residents.
Students who live outside of Lorain County pay $189.21 per credit hour.
Surgical Technician Schools in Ohio – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Ohio
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Columbus State Community College | 550 E Spring St, Columbus, OH 43215, United States |
| Cincinnati State | 601 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45202, United States |
| Sinclair College | 444 W Third St, Dayton, OH 45402, United States |
| Stark State College | 6200 Frank Ave NW, North Canton, OH 44720, United States |
| Lorain County Community College | 1005 Abbe Rd N, Elyria, OH 44035, United States |
Salary
Surgical techs in Ohio earn an average salary of $51,200.
Some things that affect salary include the type of facility where surgical techs work and the city where they work.
Surgical techs who work in Chillicothe earn an average salary of $48,400, while surgical techs in Akron earn an average of $50,500.
Surgical techs who work in Orient earn an average salary of $51,300.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Surgical Technologists in Ohio
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbus | $51,400 |
| Cleveland | $51,400 |
| Cincinnati | $51,200 |
| Toledo | $50,500 |
| Akron | $50,500 |
| Dayton | $50,700 |
| Portsmouth | $47,800 |
| Youngstown | $48,800 |
| Canton | $49,200 |
| Lorain | $50,900 |
Regional Salary in Ohio
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | 270 | $53,870 | $25.9 | $61,520 | $48,280 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | 110 | $50,700 | $24.38 | $59,350 | $40,200 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 750 | $56,330 | $27.08 | $70,720 | $45,970 |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | 830 | $58,080 | $27.92 | $64,300 | $48,800 |
| Columbus, OH | 750 | $57,050 | $27.43 | $65,050 | $48,250 |
| Dayton, OH | 260 | $59,090 | $28.41 | $77,420 | $47,790 |
| Lima, OH | 80 | $52,300 | $25.14 | $64,150 | $45,040 |
| Toledo, OH | 260 | $53,320 | $25.64 | $61,130 | $47,240 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA | 140 | $48,820 | $23.47 | $58,640 | $37,770 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do surgical techs help with surgical procedures in Ohio?
Surgical techs assist surgeons by disinfecting incision sites, passing equipment and supplies to surgeons, and maintaining a sterile environment.
They do not help perform surgical procedures.
Where can surgical techs work in Ohio?
Most surgical techs in Ohio work in hospitals or in outpatient surgery centers.
They also work in physician’s offices and in dental offices.
What is the job outlook for surgical techs?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the job outlook for surgical techs is “faster than average” through 2032.
