The Short Answer
Generally no—surgical technologists typically cannot perform suturing as it’s considered an advanced clinical skill reserved for licensed healthcare providers like surgeons and physician assistants. However, some states and facilities may allow properly trained surgical techs to perform basic suturing under direct surgeon supervision, though this remains the exception rather than the rule.
Understanding Your Professional Boundaries (And Why They Matter)
Let’s address the elephant in the operating room: You’ve mastered sterile technique, you handle surgical instruments like a pro, and you’re right there when the surgeon is closing wounds—so why can’t you typically suture? The answer involves a careful balance of legal requirements, patient safety protocols, and professional scope of practice that actually protects both you and your patients.
Your core responsibilities as a surgical tech are already impressively comprehensive. You’ll prepare operating rooms to exacting standards, sterilize complex equipment, arrange surgical instruments with precision, and maintain sterile fields that prevent infections. You’re the guardian of the surgical environment—and that’s no small responsibility! While suturing might seem like a natural extension of these skills, it crosses into the realm of clinical decision-making that requires additional medical training and licensure.
| State Regulations Overview | What’s Allowed | Supervision Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | Prepare and cut suture material | Direct supervision required |
| New York | Certification required; suturing typically excluded | Not applicable |
| Wisconsin (with additional training) | Basic suturing possible at some facilities | Direct surgeon supervision |
| Most Other States | Suture preparation only | Varies by facility |
The Reality of Scope of Practice
Here’s what this means for your day-to-day work: State regulations create a patchwork of rules across the country. For instance, the Texas Health and Safety Code explicitly allows you to prepare and cut suture materials under supervision—you’re handling the sutures, just not placing them in tissue. Meanwhile, states like New York require specific certifications through legislation from the New York State Assembly, but these certifications still typically exclude actual suturing.
The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) provides clear guidelines that help you understand these boundaries. They advocate for comprehensive certification standards while acknowledging that suturing generally falls outside core surgical tech responsibilities. Think of it this way: You’re part of a highly coordinated team where everyone has a specific, crucial role—and respecting those roles ensures the best patient outcomes.
When Exceptions Become Opportunities
Now for the interesting part—there ARE pathways to expand your skills! Some surgical techs do perform suturing, though it requires jumping through specific hoops. Waukesha County Technical College, for example, offers a “Basic Suturing Techniques” course specifically for surgical technologists. This training teaches wound closure skills that you could potentially use under direct surgeon supervision.
Military-trained surgical techs often have broader scopes of practice, and rural hospitals sometimes allow expanded duties due to staffing constraints. In emergency situations or highly specialized surgical scenarios, properly trained techs might assist with superficial wound closures. But here’s the key: This ALWAYS requires explicit surgeon supervision, proper delegation, and thorough documentation.
| Training Pathways | Duration | Potential Career Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Suturing Course | 40-80 hours | May increase employability in certain facilities |
| CST Certification | Standard pathway | Focus on core competencies, not suturing |
| Military Training | Variable | Broader scope possible in specific settings |
| On-the-Job Mentoring | Ongoing | Facility-dependent, requires clear protocols |
Protecting Yourself and Your Career
Let’s talk straight: Performing tasks outside your scope without proper authorization isn’t just risky—it could end your career. Liability concerns are real, and both you and your employer could face serious legal consequences. The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification focuses on core responsibilities for good reason—it ensures you’re practicing safely within established professional boundaries.
But don’t see these limitations as roadblocks—view them as guardrails that protect your professional future. Surgical techs who respect scope of practice while continuously developing their approved skills often find the most career success. Some facilities in states like California and Colorado actively seek techs with expanded skill sets and reward them with higher salaries and advancement opportunities.
Making Strategic Career Decisions
So, what should you do if you’re interested in suturing? First, research your state’s specific regulations—they vary more than you might think. Second, explore additional training opportunities, but always verify that any certifications you pursue are recognized by potential employers in your area. Third, have frank discussions with supervisors and facility administrators about what’s possible within your workplace.
Consider this: While you might not be suturing, you’re still performing incredibly skilled work that directly impacts surgical success. You’re managing complex instrument sets, anticipating surgeon needs, maintaining life-saving sterility standards, and contributing to procedures that transform patients’ lives. That’s pretty remarkable!
Your Path Forward
If your heart is set on performing more advanced clinical procedures like suturing, you might consider surgical technology as a stepping stone to other healthcare careers. Many surgical techs use their operating room experience as a foundation for becoming physician assistants, registered nurses, or even surgeons. Your hands-on surgical experience gives you advantages that classroom-only students simply don’t have.
For those committed to the surgical tech path, focus on becoming exceptional at what you CAN do. Master every approved skill, become the tech that surgeons request by name, and stay current with evolving technologies and techniques. Excellence within your scope of practice often opens more doors than trying to push beyond established boundaries.
Remember, healthcare is a team sport, and every position is vital. Whether you’re suturing or preparing sutures, you’re contributing to successful surgical outcomes. Own your role, excel within it, and keep your eyes open for appropriate opportunities to grow. Your career in surgical technology can be incredibly rewarding—with or without a suture needle in your hand.