Surgical Technologists

Career summary

Surgical technologists may also be called operating room/surgical scrub technicians or technologists.

Surgical technologists are also called operating room technicians or scrubs. They work under the supervision of surgeons and nurses.

Before surgery, technologists help set up the operating room. They wash and sterilize instruments. They also make sure there are enough supplies for the procedure. They set up, adjust, and check non-sterile equipment to be sure it works properly.

Surgical technologists prepare patients for surgery. They transport patients to the operating room. They help position patients on the table and cover them with surgical drapes. They also observe patients' vital signs.

Technologists help the surgical team scrub and put on gloves, gowns, and masks. During surgery, technologists pass instruments and supplies to surgeons and their assistants. They hold retractors (instruments that hold back the edges of a wound) or cut sutures (stitches). They may also help apply dressings to patients' incisions.

During surgery, technologists may have other tasks, such as:

• Maintain supplies of fluid, such as blood or saline
• Operate equipment, such as lights or suction machines
• Prepare and care for specimens taken for lab analysis.

After surgery, technologists help transfer patients to the recovery room. They clean and restock the operating room for the next procedure.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Dental Assistants
• Dental Hygienists
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• Medical Assistants
• Ophthalmic Technicians
• Radiation Therapists
• Radiologic Technologists
• Registered Nurses
• Respiratory Therapists
• Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Military careers

• Medical Care Technicians

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to surgical technologists.

• Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after surgery.
• Pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and assistants. Hold retractors and cut sutures.
• Help surgical team scrub and put on gloves, gowns, and masks.
• Prepare patients for surgery.
• Help position patients on the table.
• Operate equipment, such as lights or suction machines.
• Wash and sterilize instruments.
• Help prepare, care for, and dispose of specimens taken for lab analysis.
• Clean and restock the operating room.
• Help apply dressings.
• Observe patients' vital signs.
• Assemble, adjust, and check non-sterile equipment to ensure it works properly.
• Monitor operating room conditions, and patient and surgical team needs.
• Maintain supplies of fluids, such as blood, plasma, or saline.
• Maintain records of surgical procedures.
• Help set up the operating room with surgical instruments and equipment. Gather sterile linens and solutions.
• Help transfer patients to the recovery room.

Common work activities

Surgical technologists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Assist and care for others
• Handle and move objects
• Evaluate information against standards
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Teach others
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Develop and build teams
• Coach others
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Document and record information
• Process information
• Control machines and processes
• Think creatively
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Perform for or work with the public
• Schedule work and activities

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, surgical technologists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They work closely with patients and medical staff.
• Are greatly responsible for the health and safety of patients.
• Are responsible for work outcomes.
• Communicate with coworkers and patients daily by telephone or in person. They may occasionally write e-mails.
• Work in a group or as part of a team.
• Sometimes are placed in conflict situations in which patients might be unpleasant or angry

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Always wear protective gloves, masks, and gowns during surgery. Protective attire protects both patients and technologists from disease.
• Are exposed to diseases and infections on a daily basis.
• Always wear specialized protective attire in the operating room.
• Are often exposed to contaminants, such as blood.
• Are often exposed to hazardous conditions.
• Are exposed to radiation on a weekly basis.
• Are often exposed to hazardous equipment in the operating room.
• Are often exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable.
• Work very near patients and doctors. They often work within inches of other people.
• Nearly always wear a special uniform or lab coat.
• Sometimes must get into awkward positions to reach cramped work spaces.

Work performance

• Must be very exact or highly accurate in performing the job. Errors could seriously endanger patients' health.
• Sometimes must repeat the same physical activities.
• Make decisions on a weekly basis that strongly impact patients. They consult doctors for most decisions.
• Are usually able to set their tasks for the day without consulting with a supervisor. This is because they do many of the same tasks with each patient.
• Often must meet strict deadlines, such as having the operating room ready on time.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• May work part time or full time, but most work 40 hours a week.
• May be on-call or work nights, weekends, or holidays on a rotating basis.

Physical demands

Surgical technologists frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Bend or twist their body.

It is important for surgical technologists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for surgical technologists to be able to:

• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.

Skills and abilities

Surgical technologists need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.

Use math and science

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Obtain needed equipment, facilities, and materials and oversee their use.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Teach others how to do something.

Work with things

• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Operate and control equipment.
• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Perceive and visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Sterile Processing Technology
• Surgical Technology

Other programs of study to consider

• Anesthesiologist Assisting
• Electroneurodiagnostic Technology
• Medical Laboratory Assisting

Training

To work as a surgical technologist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete a surgical technology program.

Education after high school

Many surgical technologists earn an associate degree by completing a two-year training program. Professional-technical schools, two-year colleges, universities, and hospitals all offer surgical technology programs. As a student, you learn anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and medical terminology. You also learn about aseptic techniques, the care and safety of patients during surgery, and infection control and prevention.

Certification is important in this occupation. Certification requires a combination of training, experience, and good scores on exams.

On-the-job training

While completing a training program, you get hands-on training by working under the supervision of an experienced technologist. You may receive training for up to six months.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be medical care technicians. This occupation includes surgical technologists. Training lasts seven to 52 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Health Education
• Introduction to Health Care
• Nursing
• Safety and First Aid

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers prefer to hire technologists who are certified. Employers look for technologists who are responsible, orderly, and emotionally stable. They also look for technologists with good hand and finger control. The ability to respond quickly under stress is also an asset. Knowledge of current procedures and new developments in the field are also important.

Some employers will hire surgical technologists who do not have any work related experience. Other employers prefer to hire surgical technologists who have one or two years of experience.

Some technologists may improve their chances of being hired by becoming certified. To do so, surgical technologists must pass a national examination available through The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. To sit for the exam, technologists must:

• have proof of previous certification; or
• be a graduate of a surgical technology program approved by the Commission for Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES); and
• complete an application form (if not previously certified).

Technologists who pass the exam are certified for four years. To renew their certificate, they must take a renewal exam or take and show proof of continuing education courses and pay a renewal processing fee.

For more information on national certification, contact The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting .

#this is fine 4/6/12 lh & 5/713 cj. Made the national board title a direct link to their website; info ok 4/8/15 cj. Info ok 1/31/17, 3/12/19 cj.

Tips

Talk with people who work in this field to learn more about it. Volunteer at a hospital or other health care facility to see if this type of work setting suits you. Surgical technologists should enjoy working with and helping people. The ability to handle constructive criticism is helpful. You must also have good stamina, anticipate events, and be a good listener. Keep in mind that each member of the team is just as important as another. Be willing to be on call and work variable or evening shifts. Basic Life Support (BLS) and/or CPR certification is often required by employers.

#Added on call variable/evening shifts and BLS/CPR reqs from various ads cited on US Jobs site 4/8/15 cj.

Costs to workers

Workers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues. Some employers require surgical technologists to be certified by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. The costs for this vary depending on whether the person is a member of the Association of Surgical Technologists. Costs for members include a $60 processing and $130 exam fee. Costs for non-members are $60 and $230 respectively.

#no fee changes 4/6/12 lh or 5/7/13 cj. no changes per board website 2/26/14 lh or 4/8/15, 1/31/17, 3/12/19 cj.

Licensing/certification

Surgical technologist must be registered with the State of Washington. Registration requirements include:

• an application to the Department of Health;
• answering personal data questions;
• seven-clock hours of HIV/AIDS education; and
• a registration fee.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Surgical Technologist Program
Customer Service Center 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7865
360.236.4700

#2/18/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Surgical Technologists 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. Wages also vary based on the surgical technologist's experience.

Benefits vary by employer. Most full-time surgical technologists receive typical benefits. These include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Part-time surgical technologists usually do not receive benefits.

Employment and outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About seven out of ten surgical technologists work in public or private hospitals.

Major employers:

• Hospitals
• Doctors' offices
• Outpatient care centers
• Dentists' offices

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be very strong. The number of surgeries performed each year is expected to increase. This increase will be due in part to a growing and aging population. Older people generally require more surgical procedures. In addition, advances in technology will make new surgical procedures available.

Hospitals will continue to be the largest employer of surgical technologists. However, the fastest employment growth is expected in doctors' offices and out-patient centers. Job prospects are best for those who complete an accredited program.

Other resources

Association of Surgical Technologists 
6 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 200
Littleton, CO 80120
800.637.7433
303.694.9130

Explore Health Careers: Surgical Technologist 

Health Occupation Students of America 
548 Silicon Drive, Suite 101
Southlake, TX 76092
800.321.HOSA

Interview with a Surgical Technologist 
BLS Career Outlook, November 2019

National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting 
6 West Dry Creek Circle
Littleton, CO 80120
800.707.0057

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Surgical Technologists (29-2055.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Surgical Technician (079.374-022) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Social/Conventional

COPSystem

• Science Skilled