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Best operating room technician certifications
The best certifications for an operating room technician are Medical Assistant, Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), and Certified Operating Room Surgical Technician (CORST).
Operating room technician certifications demonstrate your competency as an operating room technician to employers. However, not all operating room technician certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best operating room technician certifications. Obtaining an operating room technician certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
8 best certifications for operating room technicians
| Rank | Operating room technician certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical Assistant | ASPT |
| 2 | Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) | NBSTSA |
| 3 | Certified Operating Room Surgical Technician (CORST) | NHA |
| 4 | Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | NREMT |
| 5 | Certified SurveyTechnician Level I (CST) | NSPS |
| 6 | Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) | PTCB |
| 7 | Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) | NHA |
| 8 | Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRSCT) | IAHCSMM |
8 best operating room technician certifications
1. Medical Assistant
The medical assistant job description varies depending on the employer's needs. A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional and an asset to a physician.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
2. Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
The choice to become certified demonstrates pride in the profession and a desire to be recognized for mastery of skills unique to surgical technology, as well as an on-going commitment to quality patient care.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 4 year(s)
3. Certified Operating Room Surgical Technician (CORST)
A Certified Operating Room Surgical Technician (CORST) prepares operating rooms so that they are sterile.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
4. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
5. Certified SurveyTechnician Level I (CST)
Level I Technicians are required to demonstrate knowledge of basic first aid skills and safety requirements. The individual in this position possesses a basic knowledge of field operations and types of surveys as well as familiarity with field equipment and procedures used in these functions. Additional skills required include computational ability, survey note taking, drafting/CAD and map reading.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
6. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
PTCB's pharmacy technician certification program enables technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. Certification is achieved by meeting specific eligibility requirements and earning a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The PTCB certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
7. Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
A Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) primarily focuses on converting a medical procedure, diagnosis, or symptom into specific codes to submit a claim for reimbursement.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
8. Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRSCT)
The Association's certification programs are the most highly recognized for quality and comprehensiveness within the healthcare industry.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
What is the best certification for an operating room technician?
The best operating room technician certification is Medical Assistant. The Medical Assistant is awarded by the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this operating room technician certification:
- To become a certified Medical Assistant, you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 1 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for operating room technicians?
The most in-demand operating room technician certification is Certified Surgical Technologist based on all active job postings. Having this operating room technician certification will give you access to more operating room technician jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact an operating room technician career and salary?
The Certified Surgical Technologist certification will help you to secure an surgical technician position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. An surgical technician's average salary is $52,709 whereas operating room technicians make an average salary of $53,636.
The most common combination of operating room technician certifications include: Medical Assistant, Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), and Certified Operating Room Surgical Technician (CORST).
Online courses for operating room technicians to earn certifications
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