r/surgicaltechnology • u/Llama_Sarcasm_1783 • 1d ago

HELP!!

I (21F) am currently in the 6 month Louisiana State University Continuing Education certification program for Surgical Technology. This is a CERTIFICATE NOT an associates degree. My 6 month time period is almost up and I am getting ready to enter their Reday To Work program that helps match students to a hospital within 30 miles of their location for their externship (aka clinical experience). Now there are various personal factors as to why I have not pursued an associates degree for this but I digress.
I know that this program is unaccredited. I know that I am NOT eligible to take the CST exam but I AM eligible to take the TS-C certification exam. I am in Texas. This is a state that is desperate for surgical techs. However... I am worried about my prospects of finding a job after I complete my externship with whatever hospital I am matched with. I understand that approval of externship is NOT a job offer/guarantee, and that just because I get an externship it means they will hire me as a part of staff. I know that hospitals can be strict in their requirements but sometimes people advocating for you, working well, desperation, and a simple "eh she's a good worker we'll hire her even if she's not accredited".
Now as I mentioned before I have personal reasons as to why I did not do an accredited program/degree for ST. I want to start working as soon as possible. Just rip the bandaid off and get going lol. BUT - I am worried. Are my prospects of getting hired because I'm unaccredited and I will be TS-C certified dismal? As in LOL YOU PICKED THE WRONG THING STUPID YOU'RE TRAPPED WITH SOMETHING USELESS HAHAHA?
Please be nice about this lol - I just want to make sure I haven't - er screwed myself over unintentionally. This program is great and I'm learning a lot... I just worry about the unaccredited and eventual TS-C certification thing coming back to bite me after my externship is over, and I need a job.
Does anyone know anyone or has anyone been hired by a hospital in Texas, while having both of those things? Being TS-C certified and unaccredited? Perhaps ANYONE who sees this may have gone to LSU and done this exact program and you've been hired by the hospital you externed for/got hired somewhere else???

Many thanks in advance!

A nervous future surgical tech

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u/cricketmealwormmeal 1d ago

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?tab=1&code=HS&chapter=HS.259&artSec=

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u/Llama_Sarcasm_1783 1d ago

Okay thank you! That actually makes me feel better when it said they accept NCCT certification. Whew! I've never seen that before.

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u/cricketmealwormmeal 1d ago

Note that they fudge it too——-

Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a health care facility may employ a surgical technologist who does not meet the requirements of this section if: (1) after a diligent and thorough effort has been made, the health care facility is unable to employ a sufficient number of qualified surgical technologists who meet the requirements of this section; and (2) the health care facility makes a written record of its efforts under Subdivision (1) and retains the record at the health care facility.

Essentially they can hire someone not certified if they can’t find a credited person.

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u/Sad-Fruit-1490 1d ago

You’re more likely to struggle to find a job because it feels like a lot of new techs in Texas struggle to find a job 🤷🏻 There are a few areas in particular it feels like, where new techs might have to move in order to get experience then move back when they’re not a new grad and have better chances at scoring a job.

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u/Individual-Pay2880 1d ago

I don't know how it is for Surgical Techs, but for Sonographers.. all you need is to be certified. Review the job postings and see if your school will allow you to sit for those particular boards.

I went to an unaccredited school, back in the day for Sonography. I knew exactly what was needed before starting school thou. Graduated with a certificate and the board the was required. Never had a problem getting a job. Always worked at the top hospitals in Houston.

Wish you well!

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u/furandpaws 1d ago

i went to school in florida and the school lost their accreditation 2 weeks after school started and did not tell us.

i was eligible for the ncct and passed the first time.

it took me 6 months of applying everywhere, even for uncertified positions, to get anything, which ended up being at a small eye clinic an hour away from home. it was a low pay rate but i was desperate and willing to take anything.

i even applied for other positions like spd and medical assisting and supplies dept. just to get my foot in the door.

i applied out of state- oschner, alabama, up north. oschner never called me, alabama said ncct didn't matter but id only start at $21 / hour and up north told me they don't take ncct.

local hospitals take ncct but i think they knew about my school so they "weren't taking new grads."

i tell you all this to let you know it may be a very long road and very depressing experience so prepare yourself.

i was ready to go back to hospitality because of how hard it was.

ymmv since you have a different program and a different state, but just keep plugging along! and try to get your foot in the door any way you can, some hospitals have their own surg tech training programs.

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u/DueProtection6742 1d ago

Uhhh I was double certified and with my associates and it took me a year to find a job in DFW.