If you want all the excitement of working in an operating room without the decade of education that it takes to become a surgeon, you might want to consider finding a position as a surgical technologist. These are the professionals working as part of the sterile surgical team that are responsible for preparing the operating room and patient. There are surgical technology training courses online that can lead to the Associate of Science in Surgical Technology degree that is a good first step towards finding a career in this field. In some cases, a certificate or diploma will be sufficient to find employment, depending on your medical background.

Some of the topics covered in any surgical technology training courses include surgical techniques, anatomy, physiology, advanced biology, and surgical technology. This helps give a well rounded set of knowledge for students who need to be able to help surgeons during live procedures. The skills gained during this type of training program also prepares graduates for helping to care for the patient both before and after the surgery, and maintaining equipment. Most courses last for two years, although it's possible to obtain a certificate in as little as 9 months.

The prerequisites to enter surgical technology training courses may vary, depending on the type of program you are interested in. If you have no prior medical or science training, you might have to take a certificate course first as an introduction to the field, before you can move on to an Associate's degree program. This is to promote a thorough understanding of medical terminology, the instruments and procedures used during surgery, and medical ethics. It's also important for a surgical technologist to be knowledgeable about the human body, including anatomy and physiology. Some science courses might be required as prerequisites, depending on the school you are applying to.

In terms of personal characteristics that can be helpful when taking surgical technology training courses, students who are able to multitask tend to do better. This is also a profession that is more satisfying for those who enjoy working as part of a team, and work well under pressure. There is no room for mistakes in an operating room, so surgical assistants and technologists must have an attention to detail and an ability to handle stressful situations well. It can be helpful to attend mock surgeries as part of training to feel comfortable in this environment first.

Surgical technology training courses are offered at four year colleges and universities, as well as technical colleges and online training programs. It's helpful to compare and contrast these various programs in order to find the training program that will fit into your schedule and serve your interests and career goals. More and more students are turning to online courses, which allow them to continue working in their chosen profession while gaining new skills that will help advance their careers down the road. This can be more convenient and cost-effective than attending courses on a full-time basis in person.