Take a Closer Look into the World of Surgical Technology

What does a Surgical Technologist do?

As an entry-level Surgical Technologist, you perform essential tasks before, during and after operations. You work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses and other key surgical personnel in hospital operating rooms and outpatient surgery centers. Surgical Technologists play a critical role in surgical patient care.

There are three major roles for entry-level surgical technologists - scrub, circulating assistant and second assisting. Scrub, circulating assistant and second assisting surgical technologists have primary responsibilities in maintaining the sterile field, being constantly vigilant that all members of the team adhere to proper technique.

What does it take to become a Surgical Technologist?

The majority of today’s Surgical Technologists receive their training through programs offered at career colleges.

Throughout their education as Surgical Technoligist, these students will learn the ins and outs of anatomy and physiology, and how to prepare the patient for different types of surgeries.

The skills of a trained Surgical Technologist are called upon before, during and after a procedure.

What are the working conditions for a Surgical Technologist?

Surgical technologists work in clean, well-lighted, cool environments. They must stand for long periods and remain alert during operations. Most surgical technologists work a regular 40-hour week, although they may be on-call or work nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis.

What makes someone an ideal candidate for a career as a Surgical Technologist?

Surgical technologists need manual dexterity to handle instruments quickly. They also must be conscientious, orderly, and emotionally stable to handle the demands of the operating room environment. Technologists must respond quickly and must be familiar with operating procedures in order to have instruments ready for surgeons without having to be told. They are expected to keep abreast of new developments in the field.

Is there a big demand for Surgical Technologists?

Employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. Job opportunities will be best for technologists who are certified.

Surgical technologists held about 86,000 jobs in 2006. About 70 percent of jobs for surgical technologists were in hospitals, mainly in operating and delivery rooms. Other jobs were in offices of physicians or dentists who perform outpatient surgery and in outpatient care centers, including ambulatory surgical centers.

Employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow 24 percent between 2006 and 2016, as the volume of surgeries increases. The number of surgical procedures is expected to rise as the population grows and ages. Older people, including the baby boom generation, who generally require more surgical procedures, will account for a larger portion of the general population. In addition, technological advances, such as fiber optics and laser technology, will permit an increasing number of new surgical procedures to be performed and also will allow surgical technologists to assist with a greater number of procedures.

Hospitals will continue to be the primary employer of surgical technologists, although much faster employment growth is expected in offices of physicians and in outpatient care centers, including ambulatory surgical centers.

What kind of jobs and salaries can someone expect as a Surgical Technnologist?

Median annual earnings of wage-and-salary surgical technologists were $36,080 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $30,300 and $43,560. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,490, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $51,140. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of surgical technologists were:

Offices of physicians	$37,300
Outpatient care centers	$37,280
General medical and surgical hospitals	$35,840
Offices of dentists	$34,160

Benefits provided by most employers include paid vacation and sick leave, health, medical, vision, dental insurance and life insurance, and retirement program. A few employers also provide tuition reimbursement and child care benefits.*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Surgical Technologists.

Article by Tom Bross, Creative Director, Concorde Career Institute. ABHES Accredited.