Occupation Profile for Surgical Technologists

opportunity | video

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.

Signficant Points

  • Employment is expected to grow much faster than average.
  • Job opportunities will be best for technologists who are certified.
  • Training programs last 9 to 24 months and lead to a certificate, diploma, or associate degree.
  • Hospitals will continue to be the primary employer, although much faster employment growth is expected in other health care industries.
 

Tasks

  • Core — Hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.
  • Core — Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
  • Core — Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
  • Core — Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing.
  • Core — Prepare patients for surgery, including positioning patients on the operating table and covering them with sterile surgical drapes to prevent exposure.

Activities

  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.