What does a Surgical Technologist do?
Published 4 min read
A surgical technologist is a medical professional who works in the operating room alongside surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists. Surgical technologists are responsible for sterilizing equipment, setting up the operating room, and assisting during surgeries.
Surgical Technologist job duties include:
- Prepares operating room for patient by following prescribed procedures and protocols.
- Prepares patient for surgery by washing and disinfecting incision areas, moving patient to operating room, and positioning on operating table.
- Provides surgical team with instruments, equipment, and supplies needed for procedure.
- Hands instruments and other items to surgeons during surgery.
- Maintains sterile field during surgery.
- Counts sponges, needles, and instruments used during surgery and assists in counting at the end of the procedure.
- Transports patients to recovery room after surgery.
- Applies dressings to incisions.
- Monitors patients' vital signs post-operatively.
Surgical Technologist Job Requirements
A surgical technologist is a medical professional who assists surgeons during surgery. They are responsible for ensuring that the operating room is ready for surgery, sterilizing equipment, and helping to position patients. A surgical technologist must have an Associate’s degree from an accredited program and must pass a national certification exam. Some states also require licensure. Most employers prefer candidates with at least one year of experience working in an operating room.
Surgical Technologist Skills
- Aseptic Technique
- Surgical Hand Scrub
- Gowning and Gloving
- Surgical Site Preparation
- Patient Positioning
- Instrument and Sponge Counts
- Proper Use of PPE
- Maintaining a Sterile Field
- Passing Instruments
- Applying Sutures
- Assisting with Hemostasis
- Caring for the Patient post-op
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How to become a Surgical Technologist
A surgical technologist is an allied health professional who works alongside surgeons, registered nurses and other operating room staff. Surgical technologists are responsible for ensuring that the operating room is ready for surgery and that all of the necessary instruments and equipment are sterilized and available. They also help to position patients on the operating table and may assist in applying dressings or other types of wound care.
Becoming a surgical technologist requires completing an accredited surgical technology program. These programs typically last between one and two years and result in a certificate or associate’s degree. Some surgical technologists choose to further their education by completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in surgical technology or a related field such as nursing.
After completing an accredited surgical technology program, graduates must pass a national certification exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Once certified, surgical technologists must keep their skills up-to-date by completing continuing education courses on a regular basis. Many states also require surgical technologists to be licensed.
The best way to prepare for a career as a surgical technologist is to complete an accredited surgical technology program and gain experience working in an operating room setting. Those who are detail-oriented, have good hand-eye coordination and are able to remain calm under pressure will be most successful in this field.
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