Surgical or operating room technicians help in surgical operations with the direction
of surgeons, nurses and other surgical personnel. Surgical technicians are considered as a part
of the operating team that comprises the surgeons, nurses and anesthesiologists. Before the
operation starts, the surgical technician is responsible in setting up the operating room by
preparing all the instruments, drapes and solutions needed. It is also part of their responsibility
to check if the instruments are working properly.
They are also the one in charge in preparing
the patient by washing or shaving them and prepping up the incision site. Transporting the
patient to the operating room, positioning them on the table and draping them is still the job of
the surgical technician. Surgical technicians also monitor the patients’ vital sign and assist the
other members of the team in wearing their gowns and gloves. While the surgery is on the go,
surgical technicians pass surgical instruments and supplies needed by the surgeon. Preparing
and cutting the sutures and also doing sponge counts are included in this job. Sponge counts are
done to make sure that all sponges are complete before the surgeon closes the layers of the
skin by suturing it. Another scope of the surgical technicians work is to assist in dressings and
operating machines like suctions. After the operation, the surgical technician helps in
transferring the patient from the operating room to the recovery room.
Surgical technicians should make sure that the working environment is clean, cool
and well lighted. Surgical technicians must have the presence of mind and anticipation during
surgery. They must be alert and can stand prolonged standing because operations may take
from 30 minutes up to eight to ten hours. Surgical technicians work 40 hours a week and
sometimes they are on call and working during holidays.
Before becoming a professional, everybody needs to have an education and training
just like surgical technicians. Schools offering surgical technician education provide formal
programs. These programs can be completed for nine to twenty-four months that can give a
person a diploma, certificate or associate degree. Before admission to a surgical technician
school, they require a high school diploma. This is because there are a lot of high school courses
that is needed as preparatory like biology, chemistry and health. Surgical technician schools
offer both theoretical and practical experiences. In theoretical, the students are having lectures
on subjects like anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, instrumentation and medical terms.
They are also taught on different surgical procedures and techniques. And most importantly
they are taught on how to handle supplies, solutions and instruments.
Surgical technician’s salary varies because of the place where the individual chooses
to work. If one is working in a private office then the salary is less than those working in
hospitals. Hospitals have a huge demand for surgical technicians because of the number of
surgeries that they can perform on a day to day basis. An individual working in this kind of
profession can expect a salary of twelve to sixteen dollars per hour. So for a year, a person can
earn from $25,000-$40,000.
