Surgery has been present for hundreds of years. Throughout the years, medical advances including increased knowledge of anatomy and operative procedures as well as an understanding of bacteria’s relationship with infectious disease have advanced the surgical therapy field. Surgery may be performed for several reasons. Having surgery can relieve pain, improve body function, reduce symptoms, or may be performed to diagnose a condition or disease.

Present day, there are many different types of surgery and surgeries can be classified in various ways. For example, magnitude of surgery, body location (knee replacement), body system affected (orthopedic or respiratory), and type of condition (neurologic, oncologic). Surgery can also be inpatient or outpatient. Inpatient surgery usually requires overnight hospitalization. Common inpatient procedures could be brain or heart surgeries. Outpatient surgery consists of more minor procedures that do not require as much monitoring of the patient and is often completed in ambulatory care centers.

Like the title implies, surgical technologists work in the operating room or any areas where there is surgery. Often, individuals are not familiar with what a surgical technician does, they are more familiar with a perioperative nurse, surgeon or anesthesiologist in the operating room. However, the surgical technicians are an essential team member in surgery. Surgical technicians may also be called surgical techs, surgical assistants, scrub techs, or operating room technicians.

The surgical tech is the individual that prepares the operating room for surgery. Their job consists of preparing a sterile area prior to surgery, reviewing the supply list and the surgeon’s preferences for the surgery, handing instruments to the surgeon during surgery and assisting as needed, counting the number of sponges and needles used before the end of the surgery, removing tools and surgical instruments for sterilization, and preparing and cleaning the operating room for the next procedure.

Surgical technologists have a vast knowledge of surgical instruments. They know each instrument’s use as well. They know that scissors and scalpels cut tissue and that retractors hold an incision open during surgery. They also collaborate with many different surgeons on a regular basis, so they must be adaptable in their role. Surgical technologists must be able to anticipate the needs of the surgeon they are working with. This promotes efficiency during the surgery. Therefore, a surgical technologist needs to be familiar with hundreds of surgical procedures.

Essential skills and qualities of a surgical technician include an understanding of patient care, aseptic/sterile procedures and technique, as well as having the ability to critically think. They are a part of an operative team so good communication and time management are important within this profession.

Employment Opportunities for Surgical Technologists

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook for surgical assistants and technologists is projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, which is on pace with other occupations. As mentioned previously, surgical technicians typically work in an operating room with a surgeon. They may work in physician’s offices, hospitals, and clinics. Anywhere an operating room is, a surgical technician may be employed. Common specialties where surgical technologists are employed include orthopedic, reconstructive, obstetrics and gynecology (OG/GYN), urology and Ear/Nose/Throat (ENT) offices. The largest employers of surgical technicians are hospitals.

Surgical Technology Requirements and Qualifications

Requirements for surgical technicians vary slightly by state but commonly include a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) and completion of an accredited surgical technician program from an accredited college, vocational school, hospital or university. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Programs (ABHES) are common accrediting bodies for surgical technician programs.

The majority of surgical technology programs are two years and result in an associate degree. Education for surgical technology includes general education coursework such as microbiology, anatomy and physiology, and depending on certificate or associate degree, will include more or less other general education coursework. Training in the program will also include sterilization techniques, universal precautions, care and safety of patients and equipment .

Although certification may not be mandatory in every state, many employers require certification. The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) and the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) both offer certification examinations in surgical technology.

Attributions

1. Figure 5.14: image released under the Pexels License
2. Figure 5.15: image released under the Pexels License