What is a Surgical Technologist?

Ever have surgery? If so, you know in such a situation you are the main focus of a team of medical professionals who work in the operating room (OR) with the surgeon. Surgical technologists are part of this team and their basic role is to prepare a sterile OR for surgery in order to keep patients safe from infection.

As far as specific tasks, the surgical technologist’s responsibilities vary and can include:

• Positioning a patient on the operating table for the surgeon
• Shaving a patient depending on what type of surgery
  
• Cleaning and sterilizing the surgery site
  
• Sterilizing instruments and equipment for surgery
  
• Assembling and arranging surgical sterile and non-sterile instruments and equipment needed during the procedure
  
• Assembling sterile curtains around the surgery area
  
• Assisting surgical teams with their gowns
  
• Observing patient vital signs
  
• Passing instruments during the procedure
  
• Clean and sterilize or oversee the cleaning and sterilization of instruments or equipment after surgery
  
• Prepare specimens and/or transport to the laboratory for analysis
  

Since the surgical technologist is present during a surgical procedure, they must be able to tolerate an open surgery. In addition, they must be able to follow directions accurately, quickly and safely.

If you attend school to become a surgical technologist, some of the topics you could study include:

• Anatomy
• Medical Terminology
  
• Surgical Pharmacology and Microbiology
  
• Surgical Procedures
  
• Surgical Instrumentation
  

Sound interesting? Look into surgical technology training programs at schools near you today at HealthCareers.net.