Why Become a Surgical Technologist?
Training and Education Jobs and Salaries
Surgical technologists, also called scrubs and surgical or operating room technicians, assist in surgical operations under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. Surgical technologists are members of operating room teams, which most commonly include surgeons, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses. Before an operation, surgical technologists help prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment, sterile drapes, and sterile solutions. They assemble both sterile and nonsterile equipment, as well as check and adjust it to ensure it is working properly.
Technologists also get patients ready for surgery by washing, shaving, and disinfecting incision sites. They transport patients to the operating room, help position them on the operating table, and cover them with sterile surgical drapes. Technologists also observe patient vital signs, check charts, and help the surgical team put on sterile gowns and gloves. During surgery, technologists pass instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons and surgeon assistants. They may hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.
Surgical technologists help prepare, care for, and dispose of specimens taken for laboratory analysis and help apply dressings. Some operate sterilizers, lights, or suction machines, and help operate diagnostic equipment.
After an operation, surgical technologists may help transfer patients to the recovery room and clean and restock the operating room. Certified surgical technologists with additional specialized education or training also may act in the role of the surgical first assistant or circulator.
The surgical first assistant, as defined by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), provides aid in exposure, hemostasis (controlling blood flow and stopping or preventing hemorrhage), and other technical functions under the surgeons direction that help the surgeon carry out a safe operation.
A circulating technologist is the so called unsterile member of the surgical team who interviews the patient before surgery; prepares the patient, helps with anesthesia, obtains and opens packages for the so called sterile people to remove the sterile contents during the procedure, keeps a written account of the surgical procedure, and answers the surgeons questions about the patient during the surgery. Surgical technologists work in clean, well-lighted, cool environments. They must stand for long periods and remain alert during operations. At times, they may be exposed to communicable diseases and unpleasant sights, odors, and materials. Most surgical technologists work a regular forty-hour week, although they may be on call or work nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis.