How to Become a Surgical Tech in Rhode Island

Are you interested in the surgical field, but don’t want to spend years in medical school?

Are you fascinated by trauma, rather than disgusted by it?

Can you handle a high-pressure challenging environment?

You should consider becoming a surgical tech.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Surgical Tech in Rhode Island

Like most states, Rhode Island doesn’t require you to be licensed or certified before beginning your career.

This is because surgical techs work under a surgeon, who is ultimately responsible for your work and actions.

However, many employers require you to be certified before hiring you.

Becoming certified can result in higher pay and more job opportunities.

In 2023, Rhode Island introduced legislation to license surgical techs.

The bill failed, but a similar bill could pass in the future.

Being certified will ensure you can continue to work as a surgical tech if a new law is passed.

Attend an Approved Surgical Tech Training Program The first step to certification is completing a training program.

You’ll need a program that is CAAHEP or ABHES-accredited.

Most programs take between 9 months to 2 years, and provide a certificate or associate degree.

Taking the CST Exam The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or NBSTSA offers CST, or Certified Surgical Technician certification.

To become certified, you’ll need to complete a training program.

Then, you’ll apply to take the CST exam and pay a fee.

Members of the Association of Surgical Technologists, or AST, will pay $190.

Nonmembers will pay $290.

The exam has 175 questions, with 150 being graded.

You’ll need to get 98 out of 150 correct to pass the exam.

If you pass the exam, you are a CST.

6 Surgical Tech Schools in Rhode Island

Community College of Rhode Island

The Community College of Rhode Island offers a Surgical Technician certificate program.

The program takes 1 year of full-time study, and requires 43 credits to complete.

The program offers classroom learning, labs, and lots of hands-on experience.

You’ll complete at least 500 hours of clinical experience, and be a part of more than 120 surgeries during your study.

You’ll need to complete a background check and placement testing before being admitted into the program.

Courses in the program include Human Anatomy 1 and 2, Surgical Instrumentation, and Principles of Surgical Technology.

New England Institute of Technology

The New England Institute of Technology, also known as NEIT, offers an Associate of Science degree in Surgical Technology.

Their program includes 160 hours of lab experience, and 20 weeks of clinical rotations.

During your clinical, you’ll learn to be a valuable part of the surgical team.

The program can be completed in just 18 months of full time study.

Courses include 8 liberal arts courses, Math for Life Science, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Surgical Technology, and Pharmacology.

Concorde

Concorde offers a program that is designed to provide CSTs with a certificate or diploma with more education.

The program can be completed in 8 months online, and provides an Associate of Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology.

Courses included in the program include Surgical Technology Transitions, English Composition, and Elements of Human Communication.

University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee offers an online surgical tech training program.

You’ll earn a certificate after completing the program.

It’s important to note that you won’t be eligible to become a CST after completing the program.

However, you will qualify for the American Allied Health (AAH) Surgical Technologist Certification.

This program takes 4 to 6 months to complete.

Clinicals are recommended but are not required.

An externship coordinator will discuss your options after you are enrolled in the program.

This can be a great way to get started in the surgical tech field, although your career options will be more limited than those of a CST.

However, you can use this as a stepping stone, and continue your education to become a CST at a later date.

MedCerts

Medcerts offers a surgical technologist certificate that you can earn online.

The program takes 18 weeks to complete.

You’ll participate in virtual interactive learning.

You will not be qualified for the CST after completing this program.

However, you can get the TS-C certification.

To apply to the program, you must meet one of the requirements.

The first way to meet the requirement is to hold an associates or higher degree, or be enrolled in a college medical related program.

If you have a certification in Sterile Processing or a similar field, you are qualified as well.

If you have two years of experience in the medical field, you can take the program.

However, the experience must involve patient interaction.

Finally, you can get an employer sponsorship.

You’ll need a form signed by a current or prospective employer that agrees to host you for surgical cases as an employee, extern, or apprentice after you complete the program.

This is required to get the TS-C certification.

Stepful

Stepful offers a four-month surgical tech certificate course.

Once you’ve completed the program, you are eligible for TS-C certification.

Surgical Technician Schools in Rhode Island – Summary Table

Salary

Surgical techs in Rhode Island typically make $54,600 a year.

Most salaries will range between $49,100 and $60,400.

Regional Salary in Rhode Island