A surgical technologist, also known as a scrub tech, is a healthcare professional who works as part of a surgical team with surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists. Their primary function is to facilitate a smooth and safe surgical procedure by preparing the operating room, ensuring equipment is sterile, and assisting the surgeon. They are specialists in aseptic techniques to prevent contamination and infection. The role is hands-on and requires a detailed understanding of surgical procedures and instruments.
The Surgical Technologist’s Role Before Surgery
Before a patient enters the operating room, a surgical technologist begins preparations. This involves ensuring the room is sterile and setting up all necessary surgical instruments and equipment. They must verify that all equipment is in proper working order. This preparation is tailored to the specific surgery and the surgeon’s preferences.
The technologist is responsible for gathering and arranging all sterile supplies, such as drapes, gowns, gloves, and instruments, on a sterile table. They perform a careful count of all items like sponges, needles, and instruments before the surgery begins. This initial count serves as a baseline to be reconciled after the surgery. Their duties also include preparing the patient by disinfecting the incision site and creating a sterile field with drapes.
Before the first incision is made, the entire surgical team, including the technologist, participates in a “time-out.” This is a final safety check to confirm the patient’s identity, the correct surgical procedure, and the correct surgical site. The technologist must be prepared to voice any concerns regarding safety during this pause. They also assist other team members in putting on their sterile gowns and gloves.
Responsibilities During Surgery
Once the surgery begins, the surgical technologist’s primary role is to maintain the sterile field and anticipate the needs of the surgeon. This requires intense focus and a deep understanding of the procedural steps. The technologist passes instruments, sutures, and other supplies to the surgeon as needed, an anticipatory skill developed through experience and by memorizing the preferences of different surgeons.
Their duties extend beyond just passing instruments. A surgical technologist may be required to hold retractors to keep the surgical site exposed, use sponges to absorb fluids, or cut sutures as directed. They are also responsible for managing any specimens obtained during surgery for laboratory analysis. This involves placing the specimen in a sterile container and correctly labeling it before it is sent to the lab.
Throughout the procedure, the technologist keeps the sterile field organized and clear of unnecessary items. They monitor the location of all instruments and sponges to prevent any from being misplaced. If a piece of equipment malfunctions or a new instrument is needed, it is the technologist’s job to address the issue promptly. Their attention to detail helps the surgery proceed without interruption.
Duties After Surgery Concludes
After the surgeon has completed the final sutures, the surgical technologist’s work continues. One of their post-operative responsibilities is to perform a final count of all instruments, sponges, and needles with the circulating nurse. This count must match the initial pre-operative count to ensure no foreign objects are left inside the patient. This step is a standard safety protocol.
Once the count is confirmed to be correct, the technologist assists in applying sterile dressings to the patient’s incision site and helps prepare the patient for transport. Following the patient’s departure, the technologist is responsible for the cleanup of the operating room, including the disposal of single-use items.
The final phase of their duties involves managing the used surgical instruments. The technologist cleans and sterilizes the instruments, preparing them for the next case. They restock the operating room with necessary supplies, ensuring it is ready for the next scheduled surgery.
Essential Skills for a Surgical Technologist
Success as a surgical technologist requires a specific set of skills. The high-pressure environment of an operating room demands professionalism and teamwork to ensure patient safety.
Key skills include:
- Meticulous attention to detail, as minor oversights can have significant consequences.
- The ability to remain calm and focused under high-pressure situations.
- Strong communication and active listening skills for seamless teamwork.
- A high degree of manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination for handling instruments.
- Physical stamina, as the job requires standing for many hours.
- Emotional intelligence to work professionally with diverse team members.
Work Environments and Career Outlook
Surgical technologists primarily work in hospital operating rooms, the most common employment setting. They can also be found in other healthcare facilities, such as outpatient surgery centers and private physicians’ offices. The work environment is fast-paced and requires standing for long periods under bright surgical lights. Full-time work is standard, and schedules may include nights, weekends, and holidays, with on-call hours being a common requirement.
The career outlook for surgical technologists is positive. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in this field will grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by advances in medical technology and an increasing number of surgical procedures. The median annual wage for surgical technologists was $62,830 in May 2024.
How to Become a Surgical Technologist
The path to becoming a surgical technologist begins with postsecondary education. Aspiring techs must complete a formal education program from an accredited institution, like a community college, vocational school, or university. These programs result in a certificate, diploma, or an Associate of Applied Science degree and take 12 to 24 months to complete.
A high school diploma or GED is a prerequisite for admission into these programs. The curriculum combines classroom instruction in subjects like anatomy and microbiology with extensive hands-on training in a clinical setting. This practical experience is a mandatory part of the education, allowing students to apply their knowledge.
While not all states require it, most employers prefer to hire technologists who have obtained professional certification. The most widely recognized credential is the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). To earn this credential, candidates must graduate from an accredited program and pass the CST examination.