Surgery Tech Job Description
A surgery tech, also known as a surgical technologist, provides assistance in surgical operations. These individuals work under the supervision of surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses. Aspiring surgical technologists must complete an educational training program, and may want to think about becoming certified to increase their chances of becoming employed.
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Job Responsibilities
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Surgery techs are responsible for various tasks. They generally prepare the operating room and surgical equipment. Surgical technologists also prepare patients by washing and shaving areas of incision, as well as getting them ready on the operation table with sterile drapes. They pass tools to surgeons during an operation and may help control equipment, such as lights or suctions. The surgical tech may be responsible for transferring patients to another room. Afterward, they must clean the room and prepare for the next patient.
Work Settings
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Surgical technologists work in many different types of health care facilities. It is most common for techs to find jobs in hospitals. Surgical techs work in both general medical hospitals and specialty hospitals. They may also work in physician and dental offices, outpatient care centers and ambulatory surgical centers. Surgery techs are required to stand for long periods. They may be exposed to unpleasant sights, and should be mentally stable as some operations result in fatalities.
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Education
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Surgery techs must complete an educational training program. Community colleges, vocational or technical schools and hospitals offer programs that culminate in a diploma, certificate or associate degree in surgical technology. Students learn in both classroom and clinical settings. Some of the courses that surgical technologists need to take include anatomy and physiology, ethics, microbiology, medical terminology and pharmacology. Students must become knowledgeable on how to ensure safety for patients, sterilize and handle equipment, prevent infection and handle medications.
Certification
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Most employers prefer to hire surgical technologists who are certified. The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting and the National Center for Competency Testing are the two certifying agencies for surgical technologists. Individuals who are eligible to become certified by one of these agencies must pass a certification examination. To maintain certification, surgical technologists must take continuing education hours or retake and pass the exam.
Earnings and Job Outlook
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, surgical technologists earned median annual wages of $38,740 in 2008. Surgery techs who worked in specialty hospitals earned the most, while those who worked in dental offices earned the least. The job outlook is expected to be very good, mostly due to the aging population. Employment opportunities are expected to increase by 25 percent through 2018, according to the BLS. Job opportunities will be the best for those who are certified.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit surgical image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com
