Surgical Technician / Technologist
Quick Facts
Median Salary$54,273
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth+30.94%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Surgical Technician or Technologist assists with surgical operations. Prepares the operating room and equipment before a procedure, and helps surgeons and nurses during the procedure. Works in hospitals or other healthcare facilities.
Core Tasks:
- Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
- Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
- Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing.
- Prepare patients for surgery, including positioning patients on the operating table and covering them with sterile surgical drapes to prevent exposure.
- Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists.
- Hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.
- Wash and sterilize equipment, using germicides and sterilizers.
- Prepare, care for, and dispose of tissue specimens taken for laboratory analysis.
- Monitor and continually assess operating room conditions, including patient and surgical team needs.
- Prepare dressings or bandages and apply or assist with their application following surgery.
- Operate, assemble, adjust, or monitor sterilizers, lights, suction machines, or diagnostic equipment to ensure proper operation.
- Clean and restock operating room, gathering and placing equipment and supplies and arranging instruments according to instructions, such as a preference card.
- Order surgical supplies.
- Observe patients' vital signs to assess physical condition.
What to expect as a Surgical Technician / Technologist
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
25% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Surgical Technician / Technologist related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
6980 openings for Surgical Technicians / Technologists
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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