Surgical Technologist
A Surgical Technologist, also known as an operating room (OR) technician, plays a crucial role in the surgical team, assisting surgeons during operations and ensuring that the operating room is prepared and maintained for procedures. Their responsibilities span three key phases: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative. In the preoperative phase, they prepare and sterilize instruments and gather necessary supplies; during surgery, they pass instruments to surgeons and handle specimens; and post-surgery, they clean and reset the OR for the next procedure. This profession typically attracts individuals who are detail-oriented, compassionate, and able to work effectively under pressure.
Surgical technologists primarily work in sterile environments within hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, or surgeons' offices. A high school diploma is required for entry, and most employers prefer candidates with postsecondary education from accredited programs, which can lead to certification. The median annual earnings for surgical technologists are approximately $60,370, with employment projected to grow at a rate faster than average. Their work is essential in ensuring patient safety and supporting surgeons, making this role vital in the healthcare sector.
Surgical Technologist
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science
Interests: Working with the sick and injured, working with a team, detail work, communicating with others
Earnings (Yearly Median): $60,370 per year $29.03 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 5% (Faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Postsecondary nondegree award
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Surgical technologists, also known as operating room (OR) technicians, work in the medical field, assisting surgeons during operations and procedures. They provide instruments and assistance to surgeons and prepare the OR before surgeries. Technologists gather the instruments and supplies necessary for the surgery. During the surgery, they pass the instruments to the surgeon, handle specimens, and assist with medications and surgical dressings. Afterward, they help clean and prepare the OR for the subsequent surgery.
Work Environment. Surgical technologists spend the majority of their day inside ORs, which are located inside hospitals. These environments are very clean, well-lit, and sterile. Some technologists also work in outpatient surgery centers or surgeon’s offices. Technologists are constantly on their feet, assisting surgeons, prepping ORs, and transporting patients. They must be sure to maintain a sterile environment. They usually work full-time and can also work irregular hours, including nights and weekends.
Occupation Interest. The surgical-technologist profession usually attracts those interested in working on a healthcare team. Surgical technologists must be very detail-oriented and able to work under pressure. Communicating clearly with surgeons, patients, and others on the team is crucial to the technologist’s job. Working around sick patients means that a technologist must be compassionate and strongly feel the need to help others.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The work of surgical technologists, like others in the medical profession, revolves around making sure a sick patient is taken care of properly and safely. Most of their responsibilities involve the preparation of the OR, the instruments and supplies needed, and the aftercare of the patient. Technologists work closely with supervising surgeons to ensure the intricate procedures go smoothly. A successful surgical technologist can anticipate what a surgeon needs before they ask for it.
The three phases of a surgical technologist’s duties are the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases. During the preoperative stage, technologists prepare the OR before the surgery. They collect and sterilize the instruments, tools, and supplies used during the operation. After ensuring the OR is sterile and ready, technologists assist the surgical team as its members enter the room. They help wash and disinfect the patient’s incision sites and position the patient on the operating table.
The intraoperative phase is the actual surgery. During this phase, technologists pass the instruments, tools, and supplies to surgeons and assistants. They handle specimens for further laboratory analysis and help apply dressings to a patient. A technologist may also prepare medications.
After the surgery, during the postoperative phase, technologists carefully maintain the sterile field in the OR. They help transport the patient, remove surgical instruments and equipment, and prepare the OR for the next surgery.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Surgical technologists spend most of their day at hospitals, where they work in the OR. These environments are very sterile, well-lit, and clean. Since sterilization is so crucial to ensure the patient’s safety, a technologist must follow safety procedures and also make sure others maintain a sterile environment. Technologists can also work in surgery outpatient clinics and surgeon’s offices.
Human Environment. Surgical technologists work closely with surgeons, their assistants, physicians, patients, and others in the medical field. Most patients are suffering from some form of ailment, so a technologist must be sensitive to specific patient needs.
Technological Environments. Technologists help prepare, sterilize, and maintain various surgical instruments, including scalpels, forceps, suction tubes to remove blood, cutting laser guides, and surgical staplers. Several sterilizers, aerators, and washers are used to sterilize and clean instruments.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. A high school diploma or an equivalent GED certificate is required for an applicant to enter a surgical technologist training program. Several basic and advanced high school courses are available to benefit a student interested in the profession, including math, science, and anything related to writing and communications.
Postsecondary. Most employers require that a surgical technologist have some form of postsecondary education. Many surgical technologists complete an accredited program at a community college or vocational school, which can lead to eligibility for professional certifications. Entry into most of the programs requires a high school diploma or GED. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) accredit programs. The programs can last from several months to two years; upon completion, students receive either an associate’s degree or a certificate.
Coursework in the certificate programs covers surgical procedures, pharmacology, anatomy, and medical terminology. Students in an associate’s degree program must also complete science and general education courses. They may also learn about surgical specialties, such as pediatric, cosmetic, or dental surgery. Many of these programs offer students clinical experience, during which they can observe experienced surgical technologists in an OR setting. As students progress and gain more experience, they may be allowed to handle and operate equipment in the OR.
Students pursuing a career as a surgical technologist can apply for scholarships through the Foundation for Surgical Technology. This foundation offers need- and academic-based scholarships for students enrolled in a CAAHEP-accredited program.
Related Occupations
− Clinical Laboratory Technologist
− Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Bibliography
"Surgical Technologists." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm. Accessed 28 Sept. 2023.