Surgical Technologists :: Job Description

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Surgical Technologists

Careers / Surgical Technologists

Summary Description


	Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeon's assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Anesthesia Technician

2.	Certified Surgical Tech/First Assistant

3.	Certified Surgical Technician

4.	Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)

5.	Operating Room Surgical Technician (OR St)

6.	Operating Room Technician (OR Tech)

7.	Operating Room Technologist (OR Tech)

8.	Scrub Technician

9.	Surgeon's Assistant

10.	Surgery Technician (Surgery Tech)

11.	Surgical Orderly

12.	Surgical Scrub Technician

13.	Surgical Scrub Technologist (Surgical Scrub Tech)

14.	Surgical Technician

15.	Surgical Technologist (Surgical Tech)

Job Tasks

	Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures. Maintain sterile operative fields.

	Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation. Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.

	Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing. Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery. Maintain sterile operative fields.

	Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists. Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.

	Prepare patients for surgery, including positioning patients on the operating table and covering them with sterile surgical drapes to prevent exposure. Protect patients or staff members using safety equipment. Position patients for treatment or examination.

	Hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation. Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.

	Prepare, care for, and dispose of tissue specimens taken for laboratory analysis. Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.

	Wash and sterilize equipment, using germicides and sterilizers. Sterilize medical equipment or instruments. Clean medical equipment or facilities.

	Monitor and continually assess operating room conditions, including patient and surgical team needs.

	Operate, assemble, adjust, or monitor sterilizers, lights, suction machines, or diagnostic equipment to ensure proper operation. Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment. Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.

	Prepare dressings or bandages and apply or assist with their application following surgery. Apply bandages, dressings, or splints. Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.

	Clean and restock operating room, gathering and placing equipment and supplies and arranging instruments according to instructions, such as a preference card. Clean medical equipment or facilities. Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.

	Order surgical supplies. Order medical supplies or equipment.

	Maintain supply of fluids, such as plasma, saline, blood, or glucose, for use during operations. Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.

	Observe patients' vital signs to assess physical condition. Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.

	Maintain files and records of surgical procedures. Record patient medical histories.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Surgical Technologists
	Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians, assist in surgical operations. They prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors during surgeries.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Surgical Technologists
	Most surgical technologists work in hospitals. They spend much of their time on their feet.

	Read More >>

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The U.S. minimum wage in 1955 was 75 cents.

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