Learn more about surgical technologists and what they do on the job.

Celebrating Surgical Technologist Week

Those working in the healthcare industry hold a valued place in society, and surgical technologists have a critically important job. The goal of their work is to reduce the risk of infection during surgery, which can greatly influence a person's recovery. Because of these contributions to operating room efficiency and patient safety, the Association of Surgical Technologists Board of Directors named the third week in September as National Surgical Technologists Week. Learn why these professionals are worth celebrating:

"The third week in September is National Surgical Technologists Week."

The role of a surgical technologist
Otherwise known as operating room technicians, surgical technologists help doctors with surgical operations, playing a role before, during and after the procedure, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Association of Surgical Technologists elaborated on that job description, noting that these professionals create a safe environment in the operating room by verifying that the equipment works and procedures are completed in a sterile manner. 

According to the AST, there are several different kinds of surgical technologists, each with a unique responsibility. The titles approved by the American College of Surgeons and the Association of Surgical Technologists include:

  • Scrub surgical technologist.
  • Circulating surgical technologist.
  • Second assisting technologist.

A realistic picture of the job
According to the American College of Healthcare, surgical technologists are in charge of setting up the operating room. In doing so, they must ensure it is sterile and arranged for efficient workflows. These professionals also must ensure the appropriate type and quantity of equipment is available. This all depends on the type of surgery being performed, and communication with a patient's medical team is key in this endeavor. As the Mayo Clinic explained, surgical technologists must also ready the patient, which involves prepping their incision sites, transporting them to the operating room and covering them in surgical drapes.

Surgical technologists offer integral assistance to physicians during surgery. They are in charge of retrieving tools, counting needles and supplies, and cutting sutures. Basically, anything the doctor needs, surgical technologists are there to lend a hand, whether that's something as simple as passing the forceps or caring for a specimen taken for laboratory analysis.

Following the procedure, they help surgeons make sure all tools are accounted for and assist with applying sterile dressing, according to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The surgical technologist must then help the medical team to clean the operating room in a way that reduces the risk of infection for the next patient. Afterwards, the process starts all over again.

Surgical technologist reaching for tools.Surgical technologists are in charge of assembling tools.

Training and education
The education path to becoming a surgical technologist isn't quite as extensive as other healthcare positions. According to All Allied Health Schools, these professionals should secure a degree through a CAAHEP- or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools-accredited program after earning their high school diplomas.

As you might expect, science dominates most of the coursework in surgical technologist education. During the one to two years that these programs typically take to complete, students go over a wide variety of topics, including physiology, anatomy and microbiology. This foundation helps these professionals make more valuable contributions in the operating room.

They also learn more practical lessons such as appropriate equipment handling and patient safety techniques, as surgical technologists are responsible for situating the individual on the operating room table.The education is further cemented with critical hands-on learning experiences, particularly with sterilization techniques.

After completing an accredited program, graduates can then go on to become certified surgical technologist by passing the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting exam. Otherwise, these graduates can become Tech in Surgery–Certified with a passing score from The National Center for Competency Testing.

"The median salary in 2014 was $44,330."

Career outlook
Safety will always be a critical factor in operating room procedures, making surgical technologists indispensable professionals. According to the BLS, there were approximately 99,800 of these jobs in the U.S. in 2014, and employment for surgical technologists is projected to grow 15 percent by 2024. This faster-than-average rate will create 14,700 more openings, which paints a bright picture for career outlook.

The median salary in 2014 was $44,330, but of course, your level of experience and where you work has a lot to do with pay. Currently, the highest paying locales include Nevada, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii and Connecticut.

Taking on travel healthcare jobs through a medical staffing agency such as Aureus Medical Group lets you not only see all the wonderful sites this country has to offer, but it can also help you broaden your experience as a surgical technologist and introduce you to new colleagues and friends. Most healthcare staffing agencies, such as Aureus, provide a comprehensive benefits package plus travel to and from the contract assignments and housing. For those who love to travel, this can be a great career option.

Do you have what it takes?
A typical day in the life of a surgical technologist depends on a number of factors, but when these professionals head into work, they know a few things are guaranteed. For one, they will be on their feet during much of their shift. They work just diligently in the operating room, focusing on the task at hand and working to create the most sterile environment possible. While they typically work full time, they might take on longer shifts and work on nights, weekends or holidays depending on the medical facility's needs.

Surgical technologists are hard-working professionals and are a vital component of a surgical care team. They deserve to be celebrated, and what better time to do that than National Surgical Technologists Week?

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