Resume Tip Sheet For Surgical Technologists
As a surgical technologist (SURG TECH) graduate, you can create a CHRONOLOGICAL resume if you have completed the required clinical experience or have other work experience in a medical setting. (See the article Easy Steps for a Chronological Resume)
Or you can create a COMBINATION resume if you would rather emphasize your categories of skills, along with your education and the required clinical experience. (See the article Easy Steps for a Combination Resume)
Tips for creating key sections of a surgical technologist’s resume:
A. Heading
List your credentials like this:
Chris Jones
Street Address, City, MI 00000
(000) 000-0000
cjonesemail@gmail.com LinkedIn Profile/Customized URL
B. Professional Qualifications
Begin your resume with a summary of your professional qualifications. To write the bulleted statements in this section, be sure to use keywords, requirements and preferences mentioned in the job posting. (For more information see the following articles: Developing Your Qualifications Summary and Beating the ATS.) Below is an example:
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
● Communicate with team members quickly and clearly during preparation and completion of surgical procedures
● Consistently excellent in assuring that the environment is safe, sterile, and stocked with the appropriate equipment
Key Terms: surgical conscience, patient care, critical thinking, adaptability, flexibility, sterile techniques, teamwork
C. Licenses/Certifications
List licenses or certifications granted by a governing body. Look at requirements listed in job posting and choose optimum placement on the resume for this information. Below is an example:
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
Completed the required caseload by the ARC/STSA accrediting body
National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Pending/Obtained 00/2020
Basic Life Support (BLS) with AED/CPR certification, Expires 00/2023
American Heart Association approved
D. Clinical Experience
A surgical technologist’s clinical experiences are important examples of professional experience. List your TWO clinical experiences in reverse chronological order using the following format:
CLINICAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
ABC Hospital Los Angeles, CA Spring 2021/Hours: 256
Surgical Technologist Intern/Extern
• Followed proper protocols proactively to ensure patient safety and the success of the procedure
• Provided suction and retraction quickly with keen anticipation of the surgeon’s need
ABC Outpatient Clinic Long Beach, CA Spring 2020/Hours: 256
Surgical Technologist Intern/Extern
• Able to work in different positions with flexibility and calmness
• Skilled in attention to detail which was complimented by the supervising RN
E. Education
Place your education information directly after CLINICAL EDUCATION. You may include any colleges at which you have completed courses or from which you have obtained a degree. See the example below which shows how to list your degree:
EDUCATION
Baker College City, MI Expected graduation 05/2022
Associate of Applied Science Honors: Dean’s List
Surgical Technology GPA: 3.76
If you had a relevant major or a specific education track, you may list them below your degree. Other optional information: honors and GPA if 3.5+
F. Work Experience
List non-medical work experience with two to three bullets which highlight soft skills. Also, be sure to list related medical experience outside of your clinical education and experience which would be desirable to the employer (e.g., Medical Assistant, CNA, sterile processing) and highlight transferable skills.
G. Optional Sections
Affiliations/Volunteer Activities
List professional organizations, student organizations, as well as community affiliations and involvement that would be relevant to your field. See the example below:
AFFILIATIONS/VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
Association of Surgical Technologists Year–Year
Blood Services Team Member-American Red Cross Year–Year
• Depending on the length of your resume and your goals, the volunteer activities can simply be a list of the organizations and your titles or can include duties/achievements as in the CLINICAL EXPERIENCE section.
Relevant Coursework
This section may be placed after your education section and should only mention specific coursework required for or desirable for the position. Highlight courses that may not be part of a typical surgical technologist’s degree if these courses show important skills for the job. Example: Laparoscopic Simulations
Revised 3 May 2021
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