Classroom study and clinical experience constitute the surgical technology training programs; anatomy, microbiology, pharmacology, physiology, professional ethics and medical terminology are studied, as well as sterile techniques, surgical procedures and patient care and safety. Practical skills such as how to sterilize instruments, handle drugs and equipment and prevent and control infection are also studied.

Individuals in surgical technology who are certified have a competitive edge over those who are not as most employers prefer certified professionals, re-certification is required every four years by retaking the exam or by accumulating continuing education credits.

Advancement in surgical technology comes about from specialization in certain types of surgery, like open heart or gastrointestinal procedures. Circulating members of surgical technology are the “non sterile” part of a surgical team and perform tasks such as: recording information from the surgery, interviewing the patient and documenting their medical history, retrieving non sterile packages for physicians to retrieve the sterile contents inside and keeping them informed about the patient.

First assistants in surgical technology help with more hands-on practices including putting in stitches, sponging, closing wounds, cauterizing bleeders and retracting. Some members of the surgical technology group become managers of hospital supply departments or move into medical insurance, supply companies or equipment manufacturing and supply.

The job outlook in surgical technology is good with a twenty-five percent increase in jobs over the average growth rate of all professions. This figure comes about due to the increasing head of population living longer and thus demanding more operations, plus, the advances in technology such as laser technology and fiber optics also bring in new operating room procedures and thus more jobs in the operating room.

It is highly recommended to consult with an accredited technical school that offers a robust surgical technology program for aspiring individuals looking to get started in a fast paced, exciting new career that has a promising future in the healthcare field.

Surgical technologists

The surgical technologist will pass the surgical instruments and other sterilized supplies to the surgeon during an operation, they also monitor the patients’ vital signs and some operate sterilizers, lights or suction machines and help operate diagnostic equipment, they also perform the very responsible task of counting all the instruments; needles, sponges etc. both before starting the operation and just before the patient is sown up after surgery, this, to ensure that everything is accounted for and nothing has been left in the patient, again, a very responsible task or duty, after surgery the technologist could also help transfer the patient to the ward and he will restock the operating room.

Surgical technologists work in clean, well lit and climatically controlled environment and most work a regular forty hour week, however, they can also be on call at night, weekends and vacation days on a rotation basis, this further reduces any feeling of monotony. Training programs for surgical technologists last for nine to twenty four months and take courses in; anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, professional ethics and medical terminology giving them a really high level of education. In order to maintain their certification technologists must earn sixty hours of approved continuing education over a four year period, or they must retake and pass the certification examination, this effectively adds to and updates their knowledge.

Surgical technologists advance by specializing in a particular branch of surgery such as neurosurgery or open heart surgery. With additional training some technologists advance to first assistant, some surgical technologists manage central supply departments in hospitals or take positions with medical insurance companies and sterile supply service companies.

Employment opportunities for surgical technologists are growing at twenty five per cent higher than the average for all occupations; this is expected to continue until at least 2018. The high rate of increase is brought about by increasing population numbers which are living longer producing an increase in the number of operations. In addition, new techniques or technological advances such as fiber optics and laser technology open up new opportunities and create new operating room techniques. Hospitals will continue to be the main employer of surgical technologists as they reduce the amount of nursing staff, however, because of better paying opportunities growth is expected in offices of physicians and in outpatient care centers giving rise to a strong career.

Schedule a tour or contact a representative at the American College of Healthcare today to find out if surgical technology is the right move for you.

The duties and responsibilities of a surgical technologist spans over the three phases of patient care in the case of a surgery. The three phases are clearly demarcated as this involves a whole gamut of duties starting with the preparation of the operation room or the organizing the equipment that will be required during the surgery and making sure they are sterile. Make sure all the necessary supplies for the procedure are present and also checking on non sterile equipment. It help the surgeons and other team members prepare to enter the sterile area. It is advisable to begin the process of the surgery by removing the sterile drapes

Here are some tips that will be helpful for each technologist. It is advisable to maintain a high level of sterility through the process of the surgery. Assisting the surgeon and his team during the surgery by passing the required equipments and supplies the procedure calls for. To prepare the medication that may be necessary during the procedure. Handling suction machines, lights and other equipment is the important to consider. Other thing you must consider is specimen care/disposal of specimens and dressing Application.

In the postoperative phase it is necessary to maintain a high level of sterility in the room until the patient is prepared for transportation. This preparation involves collection of all equipments, and supplies and instruments used in the operative procedure and the undertaking the necessary, maintenance for them. Then only transport the patient safely back to the recovery room. Hence the main role of a surgical technician is in the Surgery and OR procedures.

There is a role for the ST as the Circulating Surgical Technician. His or her duties involve prep and interview a patient before the surgical procedure. Open sterile instruments from their packing to hand to surgical assistants. Note down a written account of the surgical procedure. Manage specimens and organize for additional equipment or supplies needed during the procedure.

To be successful as a surgical technologist, one has to evolve in his or her role and adapt to work with precision to detail accuracy and anticipate a number of activities. It is of utmost importance to develop a trait of staying calm and collected even under the most stressful situations. Performing smoothly in an emergency environment is a prerequisite. A sense of empathy to the patient, a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to the chosen profession and inherent need to be helpful and compassionate has to be a second nature of for a surgical technologist professional.

If you’re interested in a fast-paced, rewarding career as a surgical technologist, then contact us today at the American College of Healthcare.

A surgical technologist is the person that works together with medical doctors during a surgical operation. They are usually the ones that do the technical stuff such as sterilizing equipment during the operation. They usually assist the medical doctors with the equipment used and the essential “small” tasks done in the operating room. Note however that these small tasks are an integral part of the operation and without these tasks the whole operation would either stop or take longer.

Surgical technologists are also usually the ones that “prep” or prepare the patient for surgery. Basically the job of the surgical technologist is to make the whole surgical operation as smooth as possible.

The training that a surgical technology school offers is pretty intensive because they mostly do a military style of training. Their students are given tasks more complicated with the goal of the students having experienced all possible scenarios. In the end the ultimate goal of the technologist is to not just make the operation as smooth as possible, but to anticipate what would happen next as well.

In case of emergencies the technologist should be the one to take the first step. An ideal scenario is that even before the medical doctor asks for it, it is already there.

In searching for the right surgical technology vocational school you should focus more on the curriculum and training rather than the price. The price will surely come second.

Before enrolling yourself you should first check the background of the school. Check to see if they are a certified establishment by your local government and if they are a certified trade school by the recognized authorities in your area. You can’t believe the number of scams that people setup nowadays just to earn a quick buck.

To make sure that the quality of the school’s education and training is sufficient, try to talk to their past students as well as the doctors that have worked with them. Ask the students how the training and education is and ask the medical doctors how well the surgical technologists of a specific school perform in the operating room.

Make a list of such schools and check them one by one to see the school that has the best curriculum, facilities,  and faculty. Check to see how they train their students and how they educate them. Look at their facilities and make sure that they are first class.  Talk to faculty members to get an overview of the program.  Once you have done your due diligence you can then make an informed decision on which surgical technology school is right for you.

If you are interested in becoming a surgical technologist, then contact us today to learn more about this exciting and rewarding program at the American College of Healthcare.