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Careers in Surgical Technology

Surgical technology professionals, commonly referred to as surgical technologists or "scrubs," are vital members of surgical teams. A surgical technologist is trained to assist the surgeons and nurses who operate on patients in a variety of medical settings. The primary role of a surgical technologist is to help maintain a safe and sterile surgical environment before, during and after an operation.

  1. Preoperative Duties

    • A surgical technologist prepares the operating room (OR) for surgery by setting up the necessary surgical instruments, equipment, sterile solutions, sponges and other supplies. Surgical techs are also responsible for preparing patients for operations by cleaning, shaving and disinfecting the incision sites. Surgical technologists typically transport patients to the operating rooms, position them on the operating tables and cover the patients with sterile surgical drapes. Scrubs also observe and record a surgical patient's vital statistics.

    Postoperative Duties

    • After an invasive surgical procedure, the surgical technologist is responsible for containing or disposing of all used medical instruments, equipment and supplies in a safe manner. Surgical techs are trained to follow specific disposal and containment procedures to ensure that any contamination does not spread outside of the operating room. Surgical technologists perform other postoperative duties, including transferring the patients to recovery rooms, cleaning up the operating rooms and restocking the inventory in the OR.

    Education

    • Most jobs in the surgical technology field require the completion of a surgical tech training program. These educational programs generally last from nine months to two years, and typically result in a certificate or an associate's degree. Training programs are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and some hospital programs. Typical surgical technology courses include human anatomy, pharmacology, surgical techniques, surgical safety and surgical procedures. Students also practice sterilizing surgical instruments, handling operating room supplies and transferring patients. Surgical technology training programs should be accredited by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST; see Resources).

    Certification

    • Graduates of accredited surgical technology programs are eligible to sit for the voluntary certifying exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA; see Resources). Individuals who pass the examination are allowed to use the credential of Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). This certification must be renewed every four years, and requires the completion of at least 60 hours of approved continuing education (CE). Individuals who don't have enough CE credits can retake the certifying exam at the end of their four-year period.

    Job Outlook and Salary Information

    • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), career opportunities in the surgical technology field should increase more quickly than average. This expected job growth is primarily due to new technological and medical advances that will allow more surgical procedures to be completed. The BLS reports that in 2006, the median annual salary for surgical technologists was just over $36,000. Surgical techs employed in doctors' offices made slightly more than those working in hospitals, outpatient care centers and dentists' offices.

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