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Surgical Technology

Welcome

Surgical Technologists prepare the operating room by selecting and opening sterile supplies. Preoperative duties also include the inspection of nonsterile equipment to ensure that it is in correct working order. The Surgical Technologist most often functions as the member of the sterile team who passes instruments, sutures, and sponges during surgery. After “scrubbing,” they don sterile gown and gloves and prepare the sterile setup for the appropriate procedure. After other members of the sterile team have scrubbed, they assist them with gowning and gloving and with the application of sterile drapes that isolate the operative site.

Additional duties include proper patient positioning on the operating table, assist in connecting and applying surgical equipment and/or monitoring devices, and to prepare the incision site. Surgical technologists have primary responsibility for maintaining the sterile field, being constantly vigilant that all members of the team adhere to aseptic technique.

In order that surgery may proceed smoothly, surgical technologists anticipate the needs of surgeons, passing instruments and providing sterile items in an efficient manner. They share with the circulator the responsibility of accounting for sponges, needles, and instruments before, during, and after surgery. Surgical technologists may hold retractors or instruments, sponge or suction the operative site, or cut suture materials. They connect drains and tubing and receive and prepare specimens for subsequent pathologic analysis. They are responsible for preparing and applying sterile dressings following the procedure and may assist in the application of nonsterile dressings, including plaster or synthetic casting materials. After surgery, they prepare the operating room for the next patient.

Surgical technologists are most often members of the sterile team but may function in the nonsterile role of circulator. The circulator is not gowned and gloved during the surgical procedure but is available to respond to the needs of the anesthesia provider, keep a written account of the surgical procedure, and participate jointly with the scrubbed person in counting sponges, needles, and instruments before, during, and after surgery. In operating rooms where local anesthetics are administered, they meet the needs of the conscious patient.

Certified surgical technologists with additional specialized education or training also may act in the role of the surgical first assistant. The surgical first assistant provides aid in exposure, hemostasis, and other technical functions under the surgeon’s direction that will help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient.

* Adapted from the Health Professions Career and Education Directory.

The Surgical Technology Program was initiated to meet the need for allied health professionals prepared to function as a valuable and integral part of the surgical team.

The Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), and the Accreditation Review Committee for Surgical Technology (ARC-ST).

Students are required to complete 104.0 credit hours and are granted an Associate of Applied Science Degree.

The Surgical Technologist is a highly skilled professional trained and educated to perform as a safe, competent practitioner in the preoperative environment. Students are educated in the principles of aseptic technique, surgical procedures, instruments, supplies, and equipment, clinical skills, and the ethical, moral, and legal responsibilities that apply to health care professionals.

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Overview

Surgical Technologists are allied health professionals who are an integral part of the surgical team. The Surgical Technologist’s primary responsibilities are maintaining the sterile field, handing instruments, providing sterile items, anticipating the needs of the team, and assisting the surgeon during surgery.

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Mission

The mission of the Surgical Technology program is to prepare individuals who graduate from this program to be highly skilled and function as a vital member of the surgical team as a competent Surgical Technologist.

Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Surgical Technologists remains positive. Their main role is to work in the operating room of a hospital, surgery center, specialty center or doctor’s office. Other jobs may include surgery scheduler, material manager, clinical preceptor, education coordinator, tissue/organ procurement technologist, private scrub for a surgeon, sterile processing manager, medical sales representative, surgical first assistant, traveling surgical technologist, clinical instructor, program director, and labor and delivery surgical technologist.