Surgical Technician Job Description

Surgery is considered to be one of the challenging jobs in the medical field which expects the surgeon to possess the perfect balance of human skill and technical precision. Surgical technicians play a vital role in assisting the surgeons while performing surgeries and other medical tasks. They look after the maintenance and supply of the surgical equipment on a regular basis. Before the commencement of surgical operations, they have to ensure that the medical instruments are functioning in a proper manner, as any malfunctioning could risk the lives of the patients. In a way, they significantly contribute to the success of the surgical procedures.

Hygiene is extremely important in the surgical procedures. The technicians have to make certain that the operation theaters and their encompassing areas are clean and maintained at a high sanitary level. Preparing the patients for the surgeries is another important responsibility of the technicians. They need to ensure that the patients are dressed in appropriate surgical clothes. Besides, they are required to ensure that the body parts which are to be operated upon are cleaned, shaved, and disinfected. Conducting interviews of the patients and maintaining a written documentation of the critical happenings of the surgical procedures are other related duties of the technicians.

As a surgical technician, one needs to be highly logical and methodological. Besides, one should acquire the ability to stay calm in stressful situations.

Duties and Responsibilities of Surgical Technician

Sanitizing and numbering the needles, absorbents, scalpels, incisions, knives, and other surgical instruments before and after surgery
Covering the patients with sterilized surgical clothes to avoid exposure
Appropriately placing the patients on the table
Transferring the patients to the recovery area after the surgery
Performing the application of bandages and dressings for the patients
Examining the medical condition of the patients and reporting the same to the surgeons or physicians
Assembling, monitoring, and positioning the surgical machines and equipment in the prescribed manner and keeping updated with the knowledge of operating these instruments
If need be, conducting repair work for the medical instruments
Passing the surgical instruments as expected by the surgeons and supplying technical aid to anesthesiologists and surgical nurses during surgery
Helping the surgeons in putting on the surgical wearables, masks, and gloves
Ensuring that there is an uninterrupted supply of required fluids namely, glucose, plasma, blood, saline, etc.
Preparing and organizing the specimens considered for laboratory examination
Looking after the maintenance of documents, written records, and medical files of the patients and the surgical processes

The education required to become a surgical technician is not that much. There are universities, colleges and institutes that now offer these courses. Hence getting yourself admitted is not difficult. The money they make in salary is good, but they also receive a lot of benefits as they work in the medical field.

Academics

High school diploma in subjects related to medical science viz., biology, chemistry, healthcare, etc.
Associate degree or accredited certification in medical terminology, anatomy, biology, or other related subjects, recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs [CAAHEP]
Should be detail-oriented and possess appreciating stress management skills and dexterity

Career Advancement

Surgical technicians, with experience and seniority, can look forward for the position of Surgical First Assistant or Surgical Specialist in specific divisions like neurosurgery, heart surgery, etc. Besides, they can expect a great advancement in the medical sector.