Surgical Technologists
Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.
16 alternate job titles:
Salary Information
Surgical Technologists: $62,830 (median) per year.
Starting salary (10th percentile).
Required expreience: Varies by Company
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
| Task Description | Category |
|---|---|
| Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment. | Maintenance |
| Maintain sterile operative fields. | Maintenance |
| Monitor facilities or operational systems. | Maintenance |
| Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities. | Maintenance |
| Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery. | General |
| Sterilize medical equipment or instruments. | General |
| Clean medical equipment or facilities. | General |
| Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis. | General |
| Apply bandages, dressings, or splints. | General |
| Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment. | General |
| Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment. | General |
| Record patient medical histories. | General |
| Protect patients or staff members using safety equipment. | General |
| Position patients for treatment or examination. | General |
| Order medical supplies or equipment. | General |
Technology Requirements
| Technology | Description |
|---|---|
| MEDITECH software | Medical software |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software |
| Microsoft Windows | Operating system software |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software |
| Electronic medical record EMR software | Medical software |
| Email software | Electronic mail software |
| Graphics software | Graphics or photo imaging software |
| Internet browser software | Internet browser software |
| Nursing documentation software | Medical software |
| Patient scheduling software | Medical software |
| Patient tracking software | Medical software |
| Supply documentation software | Medical software |
| Surgery workflow communication software | Medical software |
| Word processing software | Word processing software |
| Database software | Data base user interface and query software |
| Google Drive | Cloud-based data access and sharing software |
Relevant Certifications
Industry certifications that may be valuable for this career role:
| Certification | Issuing Organization | Practice Test |
|---|---|---|
| Certification in Clinical Applications in Perfusion | American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion | Not Available |
| Certified Ambulatory Surgery Technician | Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution | Not Available |
| Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator | American Board for Transplant Certification | Not Available |
| Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse | Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board | Not Available |
| Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator | American Board for Transplant Certification | Not Available |
| Certified Surgical Assistant | American Board of Surgical Assistants | Not Available |
| Certified Surgical First Assistant | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting | Not Available |
| Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist | Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution | Not Available |
| Certified Surgical Technologist | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting | Not Available |
| Certified Transplant Preservationist | American Board for Transplant Certification | Not Available |
| Ophthalmic Surgical Assisting | Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology | Not Available |
| Orthopaedic Technologist-Surgery Certified | National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Technololgists | Not Available |
| Perfusion Basic Science Examination | American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion | Not Available |
| Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist | Cardiovascular Credentialing International | Not Available |
| Tech in Surgery - Certified | National Center for Competency Testing | Not Available |