Scrubbing In: Exploring Thriving Surgical Tech Careers in Jacksonville
Meet Olivia – A Promising Surgical Tech Preparing to Scrub In
Olivia always knew she wanted to play a hands-on role in helping treat patients. After graduating high school in Jacksonville, she completed a rigorous 15-month surgical technology program at Concorde Career College. Olivia thrived in her courses covering surgical procedures, sterile technique, pharmacology and anatomy.
During her clinical externship at St. Vincent‘s Medical Center, Olivia assisted surgeons in the operating room using her freshly-honed skills to prepare sterile instrument tables, anticipate instrument needs, operate specialized equipment, and protect sterile fields.
Olivia earned her Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential shortly before graduation. With coveted certification in hand, she promptly landed her dream job as a surgical tech with UF Health Jacksonville.
"I love the fast-paced nature of life in the OR," Olivia says. "It‘s extremely rewarding to provide critical support allowing surgeons to save lives. I can‘t wait to gain more experience and someday teach surgical tech students like me!"
Booming Job Growth for Jacksonville Surgical Techs
Olivia made a wise career choice – surgical technologist jobs are exploding nationwide and here in Jacksonville due to an aging population requiring more lifesaving operations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for techs throughout Florida could surge over 7% by 2030.
With four major health systems and specialist providers like Mayo Clinic driving demand, Jacksonville surgical techs in particular are seeing unprecedented job growth and competitive salaries.
Median Annual Salary for Surgical Techs in Jacksonville: $51,750
Average Entry-Level Hourly Wage: $18-$22 per hour
Specialty surgical techs with advanced credentials in orthopedics, cardiothoracic, neurology and other complex concentrations command even higher pay approaching $70,000 annually in Jacksonville‘s flourishing healthcare job market.
Accredited Surgical Tech Programs in Jacksonville, FL
Inspired to join Olivia by launching your surgical technology career? Jacksonville offers many accredited programs leading to a diploma, associate degree or bachelor‘s degree upon graduating:
Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ)
- Award: Associate in Science Degree in Surgical Technology
- Program Length: 72 credit hours
- Tuition: $3,291 in-state; $11,921 out-of-state
- Certification Pass Rate: 88% CST exam first attempt
Concorde Career College
- Award: Diploma in Surgical Technology
- Program Length: 16 months
- Tuition: $17,174
- Certification Pass Rate: 100% CST 5-year pass rate
Fortis College
- Award: Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology
- Program Length: 81 credit hours
- Tuition: $34,362
- Certification Pass Rate: 96% CST 3-year pass rate
Surgical Tech Diploma Programs in Jacksonville
For those seeking a faster education path, several Jacksonville colleges offer surgical tech diploma programs taking 9-15 months to complete:
Remington College
- Award: Diploma
- Length: 9 months
- Tuition: $17,228
Altierus Career College
- Award: Diploma
- Length: 9 months
- Tuition: $18,862
What Will I Learn as a Surgical Tech Student?
Surgical tech programs blend theoretical knowledge and hands-on clinical experience, training students to excel in fast-paced hospital operating rooms. Course topics include:
Microbiology
- Pathogens, viruses, sterilization to prevent infections
Anatomy & Physiology
- Human body systems and organs
Pharmacology
- Medications, uses, doses
Surgical Procedures
- General surgery, specialty procedures
Surgical Instrumentation
- Identification, assembly, handling
Sterile Technique
- Gowning, gloving, setting sterile fields
Clinical Externships
- 180-500 hour assignments in real OR settings
Certification Exam Review & Prep
- Practice tests and prep for the CST credential
Healthcare Fundamentals
- Hospitals, safety standards, team roles
Specialized Surgical Tech Concentrations
Many programs offer tracks allowing students to focus studies in complex surgical specialties like:
Orthopedic Surgery
Neurosurgery
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Labor & Delivery
Stand Out as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
Like Olivia discovered, attaining the CST designation after graduation significantly boosts new grads‘ job prospects and salaries. Eligibility requires completing an accredited program then passing the rigorous CST exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology (NBSTSA).
The 200-question test covers surgical fundamentals across these domains:
- Perioperative Care: 105 questions
- Equipment, Supplies & Devices: 23
- Procedures: 72
Jacksonville‘s top schools report stellar 90-100% first-time pass rates, demonstrating the exam-readiness of their surgical tech graduates. Programs also provide hands-on coaching and practice tests to optimize students‘ chances of success.
Launching Your Jacksonville Surgical Tech Career
With Jacksonville healthcare providers rushing to staff operating rooms in hospitals and outpatient centers, opportunities abound for newly certified surgical techs including:
UF Health Jacksonville
- Openings: 12 Surgical Techs Needed Immediately
- Specialties: Trauma, Cardiovascular, Neurology, General
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
- Openings: 8 Surgical Technicians
- Specialties: Transplant, Neurosurgery, Orthopedic
Baptist Health
- Openings: 10 Perioperative Technicians
- Specialties: Robotics, ENT, Plastics, General
Nemours Children‘s Specialty Care Jacksonville
- Openings: 5 Certified Surgical Techs
- Specialties: Pediatric, Orthopedic, Neurology
"I‘m so glad I pursued surgical technology training in Jacksonville," says Olivia. "These jobs are so interesting and secure – I feel like I really make a difference in patients‘ lives every day!"
Want to learn more? Check out the accredited surgical tech programs available in Jacksonville and start preparing for a stable healthcare career doing meaningful work helping save lives.