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Table of contents

Surgical technician resume examples
Related resume examples
Choose the right resume format for your surg tech resume
How to write a surg tech resume in 5 simple steps
Add a cover letter
Key takeaways for your surg tech resume
Commonly asked questions about resume writing

As a surgical technician, you embody adaptability and resourcefulness. When the stakes are high, your level-headedness allows you to navigate the complexities of the operating room. Your responsibilities as a surg tech can be life-changing for your patients and their loved ones. From assisting surgeons during procedures to maintaining a sterile environment, you know better than anyone that every little detail counts.

Now, all you need is a resume that effectively communicates your diverse skill set. We’re here to help you pull it off.

This guide will cover:

Inspiring surgical technician resume examples.
A step-by-step process for crafting an impactful resume for a surg tech.
Optional sections to enhance your resume and showcase your capabilities.
Tips for writing a strong surg tech cover letter.
Key insights to make your resume stand out in the health care field.

Looking to create a professionally designed surgical technician resume quickly? Consider using our AI Resume Builder. Select a template that reflects your style and receive expert guidance for each section, ensuring your resume truly reflects your expertise in the health care industry. Your path to showcasing your value as a surg tech begins here.

Surgical technician resume examples

Entry-level surg tech resume example

Resume entry level example surgical technician

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Why this entry-level surg tech resume works:

Simple layout
When it comes to writing an authoritative resume, less is often more. This resume uses a format that’s easy to follow so the candidate’s qualifications stand out without any distractions.
Focuses on skills
This surg tech has some experience, but his work history in the operating room is relatively short. Because of this, he has built his resume around his essential transferable skills instead of his work history.
Includes certifications
Certifications demonstrate mastery of skills and commitment to the field. For a medical professional, this proof of competence is especially important and bolsters the persuasiveness of your resume.

Experienced surg tech resume example

Resume experienced example surgical technician

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Why this experienced surg tech resume works:

Strong branding
This resume features a professional template that adds a bit of color and character to the candidate’s qualifications.
Focuses on experience
With more than a decade of experience, this candidate’s resume places her extensive work history at center stage.
Uses active language
Verbs like “achieved” and “prepared” give this resume a sense of momentum and impact.

Choose the right resume format for your surg tech resume

Selecting the right resume format is a pivotal early step in creating your surgical technician resume. How your information is structured can significantly impact how it’s perceived by potential employers. It’s essential to pick a format that effectively showcases your strengths:

The chronological resume format is the best choice for seasoned candidates because it places the greatest emphasis on work history.
The combination resume format offers a balance of both skills and work history, making it an excellent choice for midcareer candidates with several years of experience.
The functional resume format places the spotlight on skills, allowing you to demonstrate your capabilities without relying heavily on past experience. It’s an excellent option, particularly for entry-level surg techs transitioning from college or internships.

Once you’ve settled on the ideal format, the next step is to choose your resume template.

Choose the right resume template for your surg tech resume:

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Your resume template should organize your information in a manner that demonstrates your professionalism and personal branding.

For surg techs looking to create a professional resume quickly, a simple resume template works well because it sticks to the basics and doesn’t add any distractions.

For a resume that shows off a bit more of your personality, consider a creative or modern resume template. These templates are more stylized and eye-catching. Just be sure to choose a template that feels appropriate for the role.

Our resume templates are available in a variety of file types, including Word resume templates and Google Doc templates, which you can easily download and customize for your unique needs.

Now that you’ve chosen your resume’s style and format, it’s time to get writing!

How to write a surg tech resume in 5 simple steps

Your resume is the first opportunity that employers have to get to know you. That’s why you need a resume that makes a strong impression right off the bat. Your surg tech resume should be thoughtfully written and organized to ensure that you put your best foot forward. Don’t worry — it’s simpler than you think! Let’s take a step-by-step look at the process.

Step 1

Review the surg tech job description for keywords

The first step to writing a strong resume is to take a close look at the job description for the surgical tech position you’re pursuing. The job listing is full of clues that can help you make a resume that aligns closely with the position’s needs and expectations.

In today’s competitive job market, many employers utilize applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter through applications, searching for specific qualifications and keywords. To craft a resume that’s ATS-friendly, it’s essential to incorporate relevant terms and phrases from the job description into your resume’s content.

For example, if the job posting emphasizes “surgical procedure expertise” or “sterile technique,” try to use these exact words to describe your experience. These terms will help show that you’re the candidate the department is looking for. Just be sure to be honest about your qualifications.

Step 2

Summarize your career achievements

Your surg tech resume should kick off with a compelling introduction, referred to as a resume profile. Two primary types of resume profiles exist: professional summaries and career objectives, and the choice depends on your level of experience.

A professional summary offers an in-depth overview of your career as a surgical technician, ideally suited for those with extensive experience in the field. It’s particularly effective for surg techs with achievements like successful surgery assistance or specialized skills.

On the other hand, a resume objective outlines your career aspirations and is a suitable choice for surg techs who may be new to the role, such as recent graduates or those transitioning from other health care positions. This format underscores your enthusiasm, transferable skills and eagerness to contribute to the role.

Here are examples of each:

Surg tech professional summary:

Experienced surgical technician with 10 years of hands-on experience in various surgical specialties. Proficient in sterile techniques, surgical instrument handling and operating room protocols. Demonstrated track record of assisting in successful surgeries and ensuring patient safety. Committed to upholding the highest standards of health care.

Surg tech resume objective:

Aspiring surgical technician with a background in health care support and a strong desire to excel in the surgical setting. Eager to leverage my attention to detail, adaptability and commitment to patient well-being. Dedicated to contributing to a safe and efficient surgical environment and supporting health care teams in delivering quality patient care.

Step 3

Highlight your essential surg tech skills

Your skill set plays a crucial role in your success as a surgical technician. It’s essential to showcase a diverse array of skills to demonstrate your effectiveness in the operating room. Surg techs need to possess a wide range of skills to perform their role competently, particularly in fast-paced and ever-changing surgical environments. These skills can be broadly categorized into two groups.

First, there are hard skills. These are the practical abilities that enable you to excel in your role as a surg tech. They include your expertise in surgical procedures, sterile technique, equipment operation and adherence to medical protocols. These skills are indispensable for the position. They are also generally earned through education, experience and training.

The second category is your soft skills. These relate to your personal attributes and interpersonal abilities, including effective communication, teamwork, adaptability to evolving surgical techniques and the capacity to provide support and comfort to patients during procedures. These skills are more subtle and generally cannot be taught.

Here’s a list of some hard and soft skills that accomplished surgical technician candidates incorporate into their resumes:

Hard Skills

Proficiency in surgical procedures
Sterile technique
Medical equipment operation
Compliance with health care protocols
Knowledge of surgical instruments
Infection control

Soft Skills

Communication
Teamwork
Adaptability
Problem-solving
Empathy
Patient care

Your role as a surgical technician is pivotal in ensuring safe and successful surgical procedures. Your skills should reflect your ability to maintain a sterile environment, support surgical teams and prioritize patient well-being.

Here’s an example of a robust surgical technician skills section:

Proficient in a wide range of surgical procedures and sterile techniques.
Experienced in operating and maintaining medical equipment, ensuring the highest standards of patient safety.
Highly adaptable, capable of swiftly adjusting to evolving surgical methods and technologies.
Dedicated to providing compassionate patient care and ensuring their comfort during procedures.
Effective communication and collaboration with surgical teams, contributing to seamless operations.
Vigilant adherence to infection control and health care protocols.

Pro tip

While technical skills can be acquired through training, soft skills such as effective communication and empathy are intrinsic qualities. This makes them especially valuable in the health care field, where patient care and teamwork are of the utmost importance.

Step 4

Describe your surg tech work history

Surgical technology is a demanding field, requiring a unique blend of technical skills, adaptability and effective support during surgical procedures. Your resume should highlight how your dedication and expertise shine in challenging real-world scenarios. When you construct your work history section, you’re not merely listing your professional background; you’re also presenting your significant accomplishments and abilities.

Describe specific surgical experiences, leadership roles you’ve undertaken and innovative techniques you’ve employed. Utilize action verbs in your resume, such as “assisted,” “sterilized” and “coordinated,” to underscore your impact and enthusiasm.

Here’s an example of a robust surgical technician work history section:

Surgical Technician, Mercy Hospital

Springfield, IL

June 2019 – Present

Assist in a variety of surgical procedures across multiple specialties, ensuring sterile and safe conditions.
Coordinate closely with surgical teams, nurses and surgeons to maintain a seamless surgical workflow.
Implement the latest surgical technology and protocols to enhance patient care and surgical outcomes.
Adapt quickly to evolving surgical techniques and equipment, contributing to the success of complex procedures.
Provide compassionate patient care, offering support and reassurance throughout the surgical process to 20+ patients and their families weekly.

Pro tip

When your resume features repetitive phrases like “responsible for,” it can make your achievements seem mundane. By employing action-packed verbs, you can infuse vitality into your surgical technology background, highlighting your accomplishments rather than just responsibilities.

Step 5

Showcase your education

A surg tech relies on extensive expertise and training to deliver ideal surgical outcomes. To demonstrate that you have what it takes, showcase your education and training in a concise education section. Highlight any relevant training, workshops or certifications you’ve earned on top of your formal education.

Associate Degree in Applied Science

Anaheim School of Medical Technology

Anaheim, CA

June, 2020

Additional sections for your surg tech resume

Languages

Effective communication in various languages is a valuable asset in the health care field. If you are multilingual, it’s advantageous to highlight this on your resume. The ability to communicate with patients from diverse linguistic backgrounds can enhance patient care.

Example of how to showcase languages on your surg tech resume:

Fluent in English and Spanish
Proficient in Mandarin

Hobbies and interests

Including your interests on your resume can provide employers with insights into your character and personality. Ensure that the hobbies you list are both relevant to the role and appropriate for the professional health care setting.

Example of how to showcase interests on your surgical technologist resume:

Medical Literature: Avid reader of medical literature, maintaining a strong commitment to staying informed about the latest health care advancements.
Health and Fitness: Enthusiastic about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, participating in various physical activities to promote personal wellness.

Community Involvement

Active engagement with the community can demonstrate your dedication to health care and patient well-being. Showcase your community involvement to highlight your commitment to fostering well-being both within and beyond the health care setting.

Example of how to showcase community involvement on your surg tech resume:

Medical Outreach: Participate in medical outreach programs within the local community, providing essential health care services and support to underserved populations.
Health Care Education: Collaborate with local health care organizations to offer educational workshops and mentorship programs aimed at promoting health awareness and contributing to the well-being of community members. This includes facilitating workshops on health care topics and sharing insights on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Add a cover letter

Cover letter example surgical technician

Create your cover letter

The final step toward writing a resume that lands you in the right role is to write a strong cover letter. Although it may seem like extra work, a cover letter is an important step that shouldn’t be neglected. Use your cover letter to explain your enthusiasm for the role, express how well your skills align with the position’s needs and add any additional context that’s missing from your resume.

For expert guidance on cover letter-writing, explore our comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter and draw inspiration from our extensive library of cover letter examples.

To maintain a cohesive visual identity between your cover letter and resume, consider using a professionally designed cover letter template from our Cover Letter Builder.

Key takeaways for your surg tech resume

Customize your surgical technologist resume for each job application

Tailor your resume to align with the specific requirements of each surgical tech role, emphasizing your skills in surgical procedures, sterile technique and operating room teamwork. Look for keywords that can help you pass through ATS (Applicant Tracking System) screening processes.
Highlight your surgical technology experience

Showcase your hands-on involvement in surgical technology, from assisting in a wide range of surgical procedures to maintaining sterile conditions in the operating room. Demonstrate your ability to excel in the fast-paced and dynamic surgical environment.
Emphasize your commitment to continuous improvement

Highlight any advanced courses, certifications or workshops you’ve completed in the field of surgical technology, underscoring your dedication to staying informed about the latest surgical techniques and best practices.
Express your passion for health care

While your resume provides an overview of your skills, a well-crafted cover letter can convey your genuine passion for ensuring patient safety and your motivation for pursuing a career in surgical technology. This field requires dedication, so your enthusiasm can make a significant impact.
Highlight measurable achievements

If you’ve contributed to successful surgical outcomes, maintained impeccable sterile conditions or achieved safety goals in the operating room, emphasize these accomplishments with specific metrics and results.
Showcase collaboration and teamwork

In the field of surgical technology, effective teamwork is critical. Highlight instances where you’ve collaborated seamlessly with surgical teams and other health care professionals, showcasing your ability to foster a cooperative and efficient surgical environment for optimal patient care.

Commonly asked questions about resume writing

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Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.