Surgical Technologist / Operating Room Technician Careers
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What a Surgical Technologist does:
A Surgical Technologist, also known as Surgical Technicians, Scrubs, or Operating Room Technicians, work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Surgeon.
The main duties of a Surgical Technologist include:
- Preparing the operating room
- Setting up surgical instruments and equipment
- Checking sterile and non sterile equipment
- Preparing patients for surgery by washing, shaving and disinfecting
- Transporting patients to the operating room
- Helping surgical team put on sterile gowns and gloves
- Assisting with surgical operations
- Passing instruments to the surgeon
- Disposing of specimens
- Operating suction machines, lights and diagnostic equipment
- Transporting patients to the recovery room after surgery
- Restocking the operating room
Education & Qualifications:
To become a Surgical Technologist you need to have your high school diploma and attend a formal training program. Accredited Programs in Surgical Technology are available in Community Colleges, Vocational Schools, Universities and Hospitals. Programs vary from 1 to 2 years in duration. Graduates receive a certificate, diploma or associate degree upon successful completion.
Surgical Technologist Programs include classroom theory and practical clinical experience. Subjects covered include: microbiology, pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, professional ethics, and medical terminology. Students learn how to control infection, work with special drugs and sterilize instruments.
Certification is voluntary, although an increasing number of employers are looking for it. Students can become Certified Surgical Technologists (CST) by completing a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and passing a certification examination. Recertification must be completed every 4 years, either through continuing education, or by retaking the examination.
Salary & Job Prospects:
The salary range for Surgical Technologists is in the range of $25,000 to $40,000 depending on location, experience and qualifications. Job growth in this field is expected as the population grows and ages. As a result, the job prospects for Surgical Technologists is predicted to be excellent, especially for those with national certification.
Below is a list of some of the various types of allied health careers / professions: