A surgical technologist is responsible for helping with a number of duties both before and after surgery is performed on a patient. Before the surgery, the technologist will inspect, maintain, decontaminate, and (if necessary) repair surgical equipment. The technologist will keep inventory records up to date for surgical tools and equipment. As doctors prepare for surgery, the technologist will work to retrieve, assemble, and transport surgical equipment as well as ensure that the patient is ready. This may include shaving an area to prepare for surgery or transporting the patient. The technologist will set up the surgical field and collaborate with nurses and doctors to assist where needed and keep all equipment ready. This equipment may include linens, saline, lights, suction machine, and other materials required for the patient's procedure. After the surgery is complete, the technologist will ensure that all pieces of equipment leave the room to be properly disposed of or sterilized and safely stored for future use. Doctors may also ask the surgical technologist to apply dressings for patients in order to ensure a safe and healthy healing process after surgery. A surgical technologist should be CPR certified, and if not already a graduate of an accredited surgical technology program, should be able to become certified within a short time after being hired. Once hired, the surgical technician will work as needed and may not have a set schedule due to the fact that surgeries can be scheduled on an emergency basis. A good surgical technician will be able to respond to emergency calls and report to work as necessary.
Surgical Technologist Tasks
- Set up and maintain surgical field, collaborating with nurses and doctors and assisting where required.
- Assemble, transport, and retrieve surgical equipment, ensuring all pieces leave the room.
- Keep all needed surgical equipment at the ready, including sterile linens, saline, lights, suction machines, etc.
- Inspect, maintain, decontaminate, and repair surgical equipment, keeping inventory records up to date.
- Conduct pre- and post-surgery patient care, including shaving, transporting, and applying dressings.