Surgical Technologists

Surgical Technologists Earnings

Median annual earnings of surgical technologists were $31,210 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $26,000 and $36,740. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,920, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $43,470. Median annual earnings of surgical technologists in 2002 were $33,790 in offices of physicians and $30,590 in general medical and surgical hospitals.

Surgical Technologists Nature of Work

Surgical technologists, also called scrubs and surgical or operating room technicians, assist in surgical operations under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. Surgical technologists are members of operating room teams, which most commonly include surgeons, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses. Before an operation, surgical technologists help prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment, sterile drapes, and sterile solutions. They assemble both sterile and nonsterile equipment, as well as adjust and check it to ensure it is working properly. Technologists also get patients ready for surgery by washing, shaving, and disinfecting incision sites. They transport patients to the operating room, help position them on the operating table, and cover them with sterile surgical "drapes.Ó Technologists also observe patientsÕ vital signs, check charts, and assist the surgical team with putting on sterile gowns and gloves.

During surgery, technologists pass instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons and surgeon assistants. They may hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments. Surgical technologists help prepare, care for, and dispose of specimens taken for laboratory analysis and help apply dressings. Some operate sterilizers, lights, or suction machines, and help operate diagnostic equipment.

After an operation, surgical technologists may help transfer patients to the recovery room and clean and restock the operating room.

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Surgical Technologists Job Outlook

Job opportunities are expected to be favorable. Employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012 as the volume of surgery increases. The number of surgical procedures is expected to rise as the population grows and ages. As members of the baby boom generation approach retirement age, the over-50 population, who generally require more surgical procedures, will account for a larger portion of the general population. Technological advances, such as fiber optics and laser technology, will also permit new surgical procedures to be performed.

Hospitals will continue to be the primary employer of surgical technologists, although much faster employment growth is expected in offices of physicians and in outpatient care centers, including ambulatory surgical centers.

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Surgical Technologists Significant Points

Surgical Technologists Training

Surgical technologists receive their training in formal programs offered by community and junior colleges, vocational schools, universities, hospitals, and the military. In 2002, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) recognized 361 accredited programs. High school graduation normally is required for admission. Programs last 9 to 24 months and lead to a certificate, diploma, or associate degree.

Programs provide classroom education and supervised clinical experience. Students take courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, professional ethics, and medical terminology. Other studies cover the care and safety of patients during surgery, sterile techniques, and surgical procedures. Students also learn to sterilize instruments; prevent and control infection; and handle special drugs, solutions, supplies, and equipment.

Most employers prefer to hire certified technologists. Technologists may obtain voluntary professional certification from the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist by graduating from a CAAHEP-accredited program and passing a national certification examination. They may then use the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) designation. Continuing education or reexamination is required to maintain certification, which must be renewed every 4 years.

Certification may also be obtained from the National Center for Competency Testing. To qualify to take the exam, candidates follow one of three paths: complete an accredited training program, undergo a 2-year hospital on-the-job training program, or acquire seven years of experience working in the field. After passing the exam, individuals may use the designation Tech in Surgery-Certified, TS-C (NCCT). This certification may be renewed every 5 years through either continuing education or reexamination.

Surgical technologists need manual dexterity to handle instruments quickly. They also must be conscientious, orderly, and emotionally stable to handle the demands of the operating room environment. Technologists must respond quickly and know procedures well to have instruments ready for surgeons without having to be told. They are expected to keep abreast of new developments in the field. Recommended high school courses include health, biology, chemistry, and mathematics.

Technologists advance by specializing in a particular area of surgery, such as neurosurgery or open heart surgery. They also may work as circulating technologists. A circulating technologist is the "unsterileÓ member of the surgical team who prepares patients; helps with anesthesia; obtains and opens packages for the "sterileÓ persons to remove the sterile contents during the procedure; interviews the patient before surgery; keeps a written account of the surgical procedure; and answers the surgeonÕs questions about the patient during the surgery. With additional training, some technologists advance to first assistants, who help with retracting, sponging, suturing, cauterizing bleeders, and closing and treating wounds. Some surgical technologists manage central supply departments in hospitals, or take positions with insurance companies, sterile supply services, and operating equipment firms.

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Surgical Technologists Employment

Surgical Technologists Related Occupations

Other health occupations requiring approximately 1 year of training after high school include dental assistants, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, clinical laboratory technicians, and medical assistants.

Surgical Technologists Additional Sources

For additional information on a career as a surgical technologist and a list of CAAHEP-accredited programs, contact:

For information on becoming a Certified Surgical Technologist, contact:

For information on becoming a Tech in Surgery-Certified, contact:

Surgical Technologists Summaries of Related Webpages

They work under the supervision of surgeons and nurses. Technologists also prepare patients for surgery. They may also help apply dressings to patients' incisions. Help set up the operating room with surgical instruments and equipment. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment.
Summary of: http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?id=100203

Surgical technologists are members of operating room teams, which most commonly include surgeons, anesthesiologists and circulating nurses. Technologists also prepare patients for surgery by washing, shaving and disinfecting incision sites. They transport patients to the operating room, help position them on the operating table and cover them with sterile surgical drapes. Technologists also observe patients' vital signs, check charts and assist the surgical team with putting on sterile gowns and gloves. Technological advances, such as fiber optics and laser technology, will also introduce new surgical procedures.
Summary of: http://www.mayo.edu/mshs/surg-career.html

Monitor and continually assess operating room conditions, including patient and surgical team needs. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others. Programs last 9 to 24 months and lead to a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. Students also learn to sterilize instruments; prevent and control infection; and handle special drugs, solutions, supplies, and equipment. Most employers prefer to hire certified technologists.
Summary of: http://jobs.state.va.us/careerguides/SurgicalTechnologists.htm

Surgical team members function in two capacities - nonsterile and sterile. All surgical team members must adhere to the principles of asepsis and the practice of sterile technique. In 2000, there were approximately 71,000 surgical technologists. Technological advances, such as fiber optics and laser technology, will also permit new surgical procedures to be performed. Accredited surgical technology programs range in length from 9 months (provides the graduate a diploma or certificate of completion) to 2 years (provides the graduate with an associate degree).
Summary of: http://www.healthpronet.org/ahp_month/09_04.html

Hospitals will continue to be the primary employer, although much faster employment growth is expected in offices of physicians and in outpatient care centers, including ambulatory surgical centers. Surgical technologists are members of operating room teams, which most commonly include surgeons, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses. Before an operation, surgical technologists help prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment, sterile drapes, and sterile solutions. Technologists also get patients ready for surgery by washing, shaving, and disinfecting incision sites. Other studies cover the care and safety of patients during surgery, sterile techniques, and surgical procedures.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos106.htm

Increased demand for surgical technologists is expected as the number of surgical procedures grows. Before an operation, surgical technologists help set up the operating room with surgical instruments and equipment, sterile linens, and sterile solutions. They assemble, adjust, and check nonsterile equipment to ensure that it is working properly. Technologists also prepare patients for surgery by washing, shaving, and disinfecting incision sites. In 1997, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) recognized 145 accredited programs.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh9899/239.htm

Who is that person behind the mask. Chances are they are not a nurse or a doctor, but they could be a surgical technologist. Surgical Technologists held about 54,000 jobs in 1998. Most are employed by hospitals, mainly in operating and delivery rooms. So, what does a surgical technologist do.
Summary of: http://health.stcc.edu/Careers/surgical.htm

Due to the growth in population, an increased life span, and improvements in medical and surgical procedures there is a growing need for Surgical Technicians. Additionally, as efforts to control health care costs become an issue, a shift toward performing minor surgery on an outpatient basis should contribute to a further need for Surgical Technicians. THE JOB SURGICAL TECHNICIANS, also called SURGICAL TECHNOLOGISTS, assist surgeons and anesthesiologists before, during, and after surgery. They work under the supervision of registered nurses or operating room technician supervisors. Upon graduation from the training program, students are eligible to apply for certification by the Liaison Council on Certification of Surgical Technologists.
Summary of: http://www.calmis.cahwnet.gov/file/occguide/SURGTECH.HTM

This may vary according to specialty, geographic location, experience, and certification status. They provide physical and emotional support for the patients prior to the surgery. They also help position the patients, connect and apply the surgical equipment, and prepare the incision site. Surgical technologists must be able to perform under pressure in stressful and emergency situations. Most surgical technologists work 40-hour weeks.
Summary of: http://www.flahec.org/hlthcareers/SURGTECH.HTM

Students learn to sterilize equipment and supplies and to monitor surgical robots. They also learn basic medical procedures and terminology. Romano makes one request before the surgery to remove his left arm. In the sometimes chaotic and grueling world of the operating room, surgeons need a dedicated team of assistants to help keep things under control. You also study the kinds of infection that can start in an operating room and learn how to prevent this from happening.
Summary of: http://www.iseek.org/sv/22030.jsp?id=270315

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