Continuing education or examination is required to maintain certification, which must be renewed every 6 years. Manual dexterity is a necessity for surgical technicians because they must handle instruments quickly, often having to anticipate which instrument is needed. They must be conscientious, orderly, and emotionally stable. In surgery, there is little margin for error. High school students interested in careers in this occupation are advised to take courses in health and biology.
Some surgical technicians advance to supervisory or administrative positions.
Job Outlook Employment in this field is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2000. As in other occupations, most job openings will result from the need to replace experienced workers who transfer to other occupations or stop working altogether. Future prospects for surgical technicians will be affected by both the rising volume of surgery and shifts in surgical practice patterns. The number of surgical procedures is expected to grow rapidly due to population growth, the increasing number of older people, technological advances that permit surgical intervention for more conditions than ever before, and widespread insurance coverage for surgical care. The rate of surgery has climbed steadily among persons 65 years of age and above.