Surgical Technologist Job Description
Surgical technologists are vital to a team of medical professionals in the operating rooms. Also known as operating room technicians or surgical technicians, the main function of a surgical technologist is to assist the surgeon and nurses performing the operation.Main tasksTheU.S. Department of Labordescribes the essential duties and functions of a surgical technician. Operating room techs set up equipment before procedures begin. Making sure equipment functions properly and having the proper tools on hand are vital to a successful operation. Everything must be sterilized beforehand. Surgical techs also prep the patient for surgery by disinfecting incision sites. During the procedure, surgical technologists pass equipment to doctors and nurses as needed.Pre- and post-opThe job of asurgical technologistbegins and ends before the operating room. Often, a surgical tech wheels the patient in and out of surgery. The medical professionals may also ensure the patient is ready for the procedure. Sterile solutions are prepared beforehand. After the operation, the tech wheels the patient back to the recovery room. Operating room technicians also re-stock rooms for the next procedure.During surgeryDuring surgery, a tech has several tasks. The incision site must have sterile bandages around it. Techs help dress the surgical staff in sterile gowns and gloves. Surgical technicians work alongside other health care professionals as vital parts of a team needed for a successful procedure.EducationSurgical technologists often need some type ofpost-secondary education. Often, an associate’s degree or a vocational degree is sufficient. Some states regulate the licensing of surgical techs with proper certification. Courses needed for an associate’s degree in surgical technology revolve around biology, anatomy and medical terminology. Accredited training programs are certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.PayThemedian annual salaryfor a surgical technician was $39,920 in 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,100 while the upper 10 percent made more than $57,330. Outpatient care centers and physician offices offer the highest salaries for surgical technicians. Outpatient centers had a median salary of $41,210. Doctors’ offices paid operating room techs a median salary of $41,030 in 2010.OutlookDemand for operating room technicians is expected torise 19 percentbetween now and 2020. The rise is about the same for all occupations. Aging baby boomers will need medical care and medical procedures. As surgeries increase, the need for surgical technologists will also be greater. There is expected to be a need for an additional 17,700 surgery technicians between now and 2020.
