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A surgical technologist is someone who has chosen a career as a surgical technician in the fascinating and dramatic world of the operating room.
Though this occupation pays well, having an average hourly wage of $19.27 according to the US Department of Labor Statistics, that is not the reason why many choose to pursue this career. Men and women who become surgical technologists like the fact that no two days will ever be the same as they work to create efficient operating environments for medical personnel that are safe for patients who need surgical procedures.
Those seeking to enter a surgical technologist career have access to the greatest opportunities when the proper certifications are obtained. There are a number of different certifications you can seek and there are even various types of degrees. This field is so exciting to consider because employment is growing throughout the entire health care industry and not just at hospitals. This gives you many options for when, how, and where you can work.
Become a Surgery Team Member and Use Your Skills…Skillfully!
When you look at a surgical technician job description you will quickly learn that in this position you would be called a “scrub” or an “operating room technician”. You will work in operating rooms or similar setups in health care facilities under the guidance of surgeons, nurses, or other designated personnel.
According to the Association of Surgical Technologists the duties are completed with you being “an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings.” In this sentence alone you can see the exciting potential of this particular career.
- Work as a team member to provide critical patient surgical services
- Become the person key medical personnel rely on
- Work in a setting that suits your preferences
So exactly what kind of work will you be doing? It’s time to get down to the basics of the life of a Surgical Technician.
- Organizes the supplies and equipment in the operating room
- Sets up the operating surgeon’s sterile table trying to anticipate what might be needed during the procedure
- Helps the surgeon and any assistants don their surgical gowns and gloves
- Counts surgical instruments before and after the surgery
- Hands the desired instruments to the surgeon during the operation
- Prepares the sterile dressings
- Cleans the surgical instruments after the operation
- Assists with cleaning the operating room after an operation
- May assist with the transfer of the patient to the recovery room
Be First in Your Field as a Surgical First Assistant
There are Surgical Technologists and then there are Surgical First Assistants. Like most “firsts” in life, achieving a first position requires specialized training. The duties of surgical first assistants may include the ones just listed for the surgical technologists plus controlling blood flows during the surgical procedure including dealing with hemorrhages.
In other words, if you become a Surgical First Assistant you will literally have a hand in the operation itself! The certified surgical first assistant duties require additional professional certification by accrediting organizations.
Consider the Circulating Surgical Technologist
There is also a position you can hold called the circulating surgical technologist. Just like the title implies, your duties will not be limited to the operating room. Your responsibilities will include:
- Interviewing patients before the surgical procedure
- Preparing the patient for surgery including applying monitors
- Opening the sterile instrument packages and handing them to the Surgical First Assistants
- Maintaining the written account of what occurs during the surgical procedure
- Managing specimens
- Obtaining additional instruments or equipment for surgeons during the procedure
Is It In Your Nature to Do This Type of Work?
If you have certain qualities there is a good chance you would truly enjoy this career. A person who takes up this career:
- Wants a career in the medical field
- Likes organization
- Can be very methodical
- Has a penchant for careful cleaning
- Is looking for a career with advancement opportunities
- Can stay calm under pressure or in tense situations
So what is the most important duty of the surgical technologist? The most important duty is fulfilling the role of an assistant to the surgeon. The surgeon relies heavily on you to do your job correctly including following sterilization procedures while also being able to handle requests that are made during the surgery. Surgical technologists are able to handle pressure with grace, can stand on their feet for long periods of time, and enjoy working with people.
Plan Your Career Path!
Your advancement path as a surgical technologist will most likely be determined by the certifications you earn along the way. You can begin your career as a generalist but certifications can be obtained in several specialization areas. These areas include neurosurgery and open heart surgery. You can begin as a surgical technologist and then advance to a surgical first assistant through additional training combined with actual job experience.
Not all surgical technicians work in hospitals either. You can work in hospitals, outpatient or free standing surgical facilities, physician offices that do minor in-house surgeries, and dental offices where dental surgical procedures are performed in-house.
Where you work, the certifications you earn, and your years of experience will have a direct bearing on earnings. According to the Department of Labor, the median wages for surgical technologists were $36,080 as of May 2006. That number was $34,160 for dental offices and $37,300 for physician offices.
It is important to have the right education before embarking on a career as a Surgical Technologist. You should attend an accredited training program recognized by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology which answers to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The programs are offered in a variety of educational institutions ranging from community colleges to universities to hospital based training programs.
When you complete a program you will have earned a certificate, a diploma or an associate degree. You can earn certifications in a couple of ways. When you graduate from an accredited program, you can then take a national accreditation exam with the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist and earn a voluntary professional certification.
But there are other certifications too. You must be board certified by taking an exam offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting in order to get a good job. The point to be made here is that you will get the best positions and with the best pay only if you have certifications in surgical technology that show you are fully trained, qualified, and able to specialize.
Surgical technologists have a great opportunity to enter a growing industry. With the expansion of health coverage to millions of people, the health industry is only expected to grow. That’s good news for you if you are considering this career!
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