As a surgical tech, articulating your intricate technical skills and precise attention to detail on a resume can be a daunting challenge. Our guide will provide you with the step-by-step strategies you need to effectively showcase your expertise and stand out in a competitive job market.
- Which sections do you need to include in your resume to meet recruiters' requirements;
- How to write your surgical tech resume experience section - even if you have don't have little to no work experience;
- Real-life professional examples to guide you how to write the most important surgical tech resume sections;
- Adding even more sections so your surgical tech resume stands out with professionalism and your personality.
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Formatting the layout of your surgical tech resume: design, length, and more
When it comes to the format of your surgical tech resume , you've plenty of opportunities to get creative. But, as a general rule of thumb, there are four simple steps you could integrate into your resume layout.
- If you have plenty of experience, you'd like to showcase, invest in the reverse-chronological resume format . This format focuses on your latest experience items and skills you've learned during your relevant (and recent) jobs.
- Don't go over the two-page limit, when creating your professional surgical tech resume. Curate within it mainly experience and skills that are relevant to the job.
- Make sure your surgical tech resume header includes all of your valid contact information. You could also opt to display your professional portfolio or LinkedIn profile.
- Submit or send out your surgical tech resume as a PDF, so you won't lose its layout and design.
Remember, resume layouts can vary by country – for example, a Canadian resume format could look different.
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Showcase any ongoing or recent educational efforts to stay updated in your field.
Fundamental sections for your surgical tech resume:
- The header with your name (if your degree or certification is impressive, you can add the title as a follow up to your name), contact details, portfolio link, and headline
- The summary or objective aligning your career and resume achievements with the role
- The experience section to curate neatly organized bullets with your tangible at-work-success
- Skills listed through various sections of your resume and within an exclusive sidebar
- The education and certifications for more credibility and industry-wide expertise
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Proficiency in sterilization techniques and aseptic practice to ensure a sterile environment during surgical procedures.
- Experience in handling and knowledge of surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment.
- Ability to anticipate surgeon's needs and provide instruments and medical supplies in a timely manner.
- Strong understanding of surgical procedures and ability to follow surgeons' instructions quickly and accurately.
- Effective teamwork and communication skills to coordinate with surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and other operating room staff.
The experience section or the essence of your professional surgical tech resume
Recruiters always have and always will appreciate well-written surgical tech resume experience sections.
The experience section is perhaps the most crucial element of your professional presentation, as it needs to answer job requirements while showcasing your technical expertise and personality.
Create your best resume experience section yet by:
- Selecting only relevant experience items to the role you're applying for;
- Always ensure you've listed a metric to quantify your success alongside each experience item;
- Create a narrative that showcases your surgical tech career succession: this goes to show the time and effort you've invested in the field to build your experience from the ground up;
- Within each experience bullet, consider a problem you've solved, the skills you've used, and the bigger impact this has made in the organization.
Take a look at how other real-life professionals have curated their experience with the surgical tech samples below:
- Served as lead surgical technologist on over 200 complex neurosurgery cases, enhancing patient safety and improving surgical team efficiency.
- Pioneered the implementation of new sterilization protocols which reduced instrument contamination by 30%.
- Collaborated closely with surgeons to ensure proper instrument placement, which contributed to a 15% reduction in surgery times.
- Managed inventory of surgical supplies and equipment for a department performing over 500 procedures a month, significantly reducing costs by optimizing resource utilization.
- Trained and supervised a team of 5 junior surgical technicians, fostering a collaborative work environment and enhancing team skills.
- Instrumental in coordinating the setup and breakdown of operating rooms, which maximized OR availability and accommodated an additional 2 surgeries per day.
- Expertly conducted equipment sterilization and maintenance, ensuring no surgical delays due to equipment unavailability across 1000+ surgeries.
- Actively engaged in continuous education programs, mastering the latest robotic surgery techniques to support state-of-the-art surgical procedures.
- Led a cross-departmental task force to develop a more efficient surgical supply restocking process, leading to a 20% increase in operating room turnover rate.
- Orchestrated the preparation of surgical equipment and supplies for over 750 cardiac procedures with zero reportable incidents of incorrect instrument preparation.
- Developed a comprehensive surgical tech training manual improving onboarding time by 25%.
- Assisted in the successful implementation of a digital tracking system for surgical instruments which reduced loss and replacement costs by 40%.
- Played a critical role in a team that completed over 300+ orthopedic surgeries per year with a 99% success rate.
- Developed and executed a streamlined pre-op process, which reduced patient wait times by an average of 20 minutes per procedure.
- Led the charge in implementing environmentally friendly waste disposal methods in the OR, cutting hazardous waste by half.
- Proactively identified a recurring issue in surgical packs leading to increased sterilization efficacy and eliminating potential postoperative complications.
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to optimize surgical workflows, directly contributing to an enhanced patient experience with a 95% patient satisfaction score.
- Mentored over 10 surgical technology interns, helping to form the next generation of committed and knowledgeable healthcare professionals.
- Effectively managed the setup of operative fields for various surgical specialties, personalizing configurations and reducing surgeon requests during procedures by 80%.
- Actively participated in 200+ successful laparoscopic surgeries as a knowledgeable assistant, earning commendations for proficiency and attentiveness.
- Implemented a system for tracking and maintaining surgical equipment that resulted in a 25% decrease in equipment downtime due to repairs.
- Oversaw the introduction and adoption of a new surgical information management system, increasing documentation accuracy and reducing data retrieval time by 35%.
- Guided surgical teams through high-stress emergency surgeries with comprehensive pre-operative preparation and in-situ support, leading to positive outcomes under pressure.
- Initiated and led weekly debriefing sessions with surgical staff to discuss areas for improvement and share best practices, resulting in enhanced inter-team communication.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Include the number of surgical procedures you have assisted with to show the extent of your experience.
- List the types of surgeries you are specialized in to demonstrate your specific areas of expertise.
- Specify the average number of surgical cases you handle per day or week to highlight your efficiency and ability to manage a high workload.
- Mention any quantifiable improvements you've contributed to, such as reducing instrument sterilization time or supply waste.
- Describe your experience with inventory management by noting the value or volume of surgical supplies you've been responsible for.
- Document the number of hours spent in continuing education or professional training to emphasize your commitment to growth and skill enhancement.
- State the size of surgical teams you've worked with, to showcase your teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Include the percentage rate of successful surgical outcomes you've been a part of to underscore your reliability and competence.
Action verbs for your surgical tech resume
Guide for surgical tech professionals kicking off their career
Who says you can't get that surgical tech job, even though you may not have that much or any experience? Hiring managers have a tendency to hire the out-of-the-blue candidate if they see role alignment. You can show them why you're the best candidate out there by:
- Selecting the functional skill-based or hybrid formats to spotlight your unique value as a professional
- Tailoring your surgical tech resume to always include the most important requirements, found towards the top of the job ad
- Substituting the lack of experience with other relevant sections like achievements, projects, and research
- Pinpoint both achievements and how you see yourself within this specific role in the surgical tech resume objective.
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PRO TIP
If you failed to obtain one of the certificates, as listed in the requirements, but decide to include it on your resume, make sure to include a note somewhere that you have the "relevant training, but are planning to re-take the exams". Support this statement with the actual date you're planning to be re-examined. Always be honest on your resume.
Bringing your surgical tech hard skills and soft skills to the forefront of recruiters' attention
Hard skills are used to define the technological (and software) capacities you have in the industry. Technical skills are easily defined via your certification and expertise.
Soft skills have more to do with your at-work personality and how you prosper within new environments. People skills can be obtained thanks to your whole life experience and are thus a bit more difficult to define.
Why do recruiters care about both types of skills?
Hard skills have more to do with job alignment and the time your new potential employers would have to invest in training you.
Soft skills hint at how well you'd adapt to your new environment, company culture, and task organization.
Fine-tune your resume to reflect on your skills capacities and talents:
- Avoid listing basic requirements (e.g. "Excel"), instead substitute with the specifics of the technology (e.g. "Excel Macros").
- Feature your workplace values and ethics as soft skills to hint at what matters most to you in a new environment.
- Build a separate skills section for your language capabilities, only if it makes sense to the role you're applying for.
- The best way to balance surgical tech hard and soft skills is by building a strengths or achievements section, where you define your outcomes via both types of skills.
There are plenty of skills that could make the cut on your resume.
That's why we've compiled for you some of the most wanted skills by recruiters, so make sure to include the technologies and soft skills that make the most sense to you (and the company you're applying for):
Top skills for your surgical tech resume:
Surgical instruments knowledge
Sterilization techniques
Operating room protocols
Patient positioning
Surgical suturing
Electrosurgical devices
Anesthesia equipment
Surgical draping
Infection control practices
Medical terminology
Attention to detail
Communication skills
Teamwork
Critical thinking
Adaptability
Time management
Stress management
Empathy
Problem-solving
Interpersonal skills
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Mention specific courses or projects that are pertinent to the job you're applying for.
Including your education and certification on your surgical tech resume
The significance of your resume education section is paramount. It can show your diverse talents and experiences that are relevnt to the position.
- Incorporate educational qualifications, mentioning the institution and period.
- If you're on your academic journey, pinpoint your expected completion date.
- Opt for leaving out degrees that don't serve the job's purpose.
- Provide an overview of your educational experiences if it spotlights your milestones.
When recruiting for surgical tech roles, candidates with relevant education and certification definitely stand out amongst competitors.
Showcase your academic background in the best way possible by:
- Listing all degrees and certifications that are part of the candidate qualifications in the surgical tech advert
- Including any extra certificates, if they make sense to your application
- Not going over the top in details - the certificate name, institution, and dates are enough
- If you're in the process of obtaining a degree or certificate that's relevant to the job, include your expected graduation/certification dates
The education and certification sections help back up your application with years of experience in the industry or niche.
Select some of the most cutting-edge or applicable credentials for your next surgical tech application from our list:
The top 5 certifications for your surgical tech resume:
- Certified surgical technologist (CST) - National Board of surgical technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
- Tech in Surgery - Certified (TS-C) - National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
- Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) - National Board of surgical technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
- Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) - Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)
- Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) - International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM)
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If you happen to have some basic certificates, don't invest too much of your surgical tech resume real estate in them. Instead, list them within the skills section or as part of your relevant experience. This way you'd ensure you meet all job requirements while dedicating your certificates to only the most in-demand certification across the industry.
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Should you write a resume summary or an objective?
No need to research social media or ask ChatGPT to find out if the summary or objective is right for your surgical tech resume.
- Experienced candidates always tend to go for resume summaries. The summary is a three to five sentence long paragraph that narrates your career highlights and aligns your experience to the role. In it you can add your top skills and career achievements that are most impressive.
- Junior professionals or those making a career change, should write a resume objective. These shouldn't be longer than five sentences and should detail your career goals . Basically, how you see yourself growing in the current position and how would your experience or skill set could help out your potential employers.
Think of both the resume summary and objective as your opportunity to put your best foot forward - from the get go - answering job requirements with skills.
Use the below real-world surgical tech professional statements as inspiration for writing your resume summary or objective.
Resume summaries for a surgical tech job
- With a solid 8-year background as a Certified surgical technologist, my expertise lies in maintaining the highest standard in aseptic techniques, instrument sterilization, and providing exemplary support in various surgical procedures. I've been pivotal in reducing cross-contamination rates by 30%, underscoring my commitment to patient safety and surgical efficiency.
- A former EMT with 4 years of emergency medical experience, now aiming to leverage my field emergency management skills as a surgical technologist. I have mastered quick decision-making and thrive under pressure, ensuring seamless adaptability to the dynamic environment of a surgical suite.
- Having transformed from a meticulous veterinary technician to a dedicated surgical tech, I bring 5 years of experience in surgical assistance and sterilization protocols from a different yet complex medical field. My unique perspective enriches my approach to human surgical care and equipment handling.
- Transitioning from a career in aerospace engineering where I focused on precision and details for 7 years, I am eager to apply similar meticulousness to surgical technology. My proven troubleshooting abilities and extensive use of technical equipment prepare me for meticulous adherence to surgical protocols and standards.
- As a recent graduate with Certified surgical technologist (CST) credentials, I am eager to begin my professional journey by applying my robust foundational knowledge in surgical procedures, patient care, and sterile field maintenance. My objective is to contribute meaningfully to successful surgical outcomes through skillful assistance and diligence.
- Spearheaded to become an enthusiastic team member as an entry-level surgical technologist, despite having no prior hands-on experience in the field. I plan to utilize my rapid learning capability, keen attention to detail, and strong academic background from my surgical tech program to ensure the highest level of surgical support and patient care.
Extra surgical tech resume sections and elements
Creating a winning surgical tech resume isn't about following a rigid formula. The key is to tailor it to the job requirements while maintaining your unique personality.
Consider including these additional resume sections to enhance your profile:
- Awards - Highlight industry-specific awards as well as any personal accolades to demonstrate recognition of your expertise and achievements;
- Hobbies and interests - Share your interests outside of work. This can provide insights into your personality and indicate whether you'd be a good cultural fit for the organization;
- Projects - Detail significant projects you've been involved in, focusing on your contributions and the outcomes;
- Publications - If you've authored or co-authored academic papers or other publications, include them to establish your credibility and in-depth knowledge of the field.
These sections can give a more comprehensive view of your capabilities and character, complementing the standard resume content.
Key takeaways
- Your surgical tech resume is formatted professionally and creates an easy-to-read (and -understand) experience for recruiters;
- You have included all pertinent sections (header, summary/objective, experience, skills, certifications) within your surgical tech resume;
- Instead of just listing your responsibilities, you've qualified them with skills and the results of your actions;
- Within your surgical tech resume, you've taken the time to align specific job requirements with your unique expertise, showcasing the value you can provide as a professional;
- Technologies and personal skills are featured across different sections of your surgical tech resume to achieve the perfect balance.
