Surgical Technologists are invaluable to the Hospitals, the Operating Room, Surgeons, and Nurses. No surgery could happen without our skilled sterile fields, knowledge of instrumentation, and assistance to the operation. Our jobs are physically demanding, being on our feet for hours on end without breaks at times, moving heavy equipment, and having to think and react on our toes most of the time. We have long hours and take call, sometimes making it difficult to have a social or family life. 

Having a much needed position as such should warrant a comparable salary, yet there are retail workers, without need of higher education, who make as much, if not more in some states, than we do. It’s not unfair for those workers to have a living wage by any means, but I do believe it is unfair that we are on the same payable level as them.

The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) is a paid membership based assembly for our field, yet they have not supported endeavors for a pay increase for the profession. What are we as members paying for, if we don’t have the backing of our own association? We are highly skilled and have specialized training. We work to help save lives every day and it’s time we’re paid like it!