Surgical technologists are health professionals whose primary duty is to assist surgeons during operations and procedures. Their duties may range from setting up surgical equipment trays and passing instruments, to helping the surgeon with suturing and retraction of tissues.

A surgical technologist must be able to work well under pressure, respond appropriately and quickly to emergency situations, and work with speed, accuracy and concentration. The vast majority of surgical technologists work in hospitals, and in stand-alone Ambulatory Surgery Centers.

The operating room, or OR, is where a surgical technologist spends most of his or her day. The OR is a brightly lit, relatively cool and quiet work environment in which a high level of concentration is required. Those who excel in this profession are able to focus on details and complex procedures for extended periods of time. A successful surgical technologist must is also able to anticipate the needs of the supervising surgeon by providing medical instruments and assistance before the surgeon asks for them. Because of the relatively long and complicated surgeries that are performed in the OR, surgical technologists can expect to stand for hours at a time.

During an operation, a surgical technologist's duties are divided into three phases of patient and surgical care management: preoperative case management, intraoperative case management and postoperative case management. Preoperative case management includes duties such as preparing the OR, gathering the necessary instruments and supplies, counting out the necessary items, and assisting the surgical team as they enter into the sterile field. During the intraoperative phase, the surgical technologist passes instruments and equipment to the surgeon as needed, takes care of specimens, prepares medications and assists with dressings. Postoperative management involves maintaining the sterile field until the patient is transported, removing used instruments, caring for and maintaining the equipment, and preparing the OR for the next patient.

Surgical Technologist Program