What a Surgical Technician Does

HealthcareMay 22, 2017

Who prepares the operating room, arranges operating equipment and assists surgeons during surgeries? A surgical technician, operating room technician or scrub technician? The correct answer is all three because they all are the same profession…just known by different names depending on the area.   

Responsibilities of a Surgical Technician

Specifically, they are responsible for ensuring all surgery equipment is set up correctly and sterilized, preparing patients by washing and disinfecting incision areas, passing instruments to surgeons during operations, positioning patients on operating beds, and transporting them to and from operating rooms. Surgical Technicians also might assist surgeons by holding internal organs in place during a procedure and handling samples taken for laboratory analysis.

Formal education is required to become a surgical technician. This includes obtaining a diploma, certification, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in the field. Admission to the program typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Some of the courses Surgical Technology students need to take include anatomy, biology, medical terminology and other medical topics. In addition, they also must work under supervised clinical settings to obtain hands-on training.

Starting a Career as a Surgical Technician

If you are looking to start a career as a surgical technician, some skills you should possess include being detail oriented, comfortable working with your hands, trustworthy, and able to work well under stressful conditions.

The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, due to advances in surgery technology and an increase in the number of people with health insurance, the demand for surgical technicians is projected to increase. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment is forecast to grow 15 percent through 2024, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Plus, salaries in the profession generally are good.

Most of us will require surgery at some point in our lives, so a career as a surgical technician is a wise one due to the expected rise in demand. Fortis College prepares surgical technology students to work under the supervision of surgeons and registered nurses. The program is offered in a variety of states. To learn more, please visit our site

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