What Does a Surgical Scrub Tech Do?
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Chain of Command
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A surgical scrub tech typically reports to and takes orders from registered nurses. These nurses take their orders from physicians and surgeons, and then pass along the requests to the surgical scrub techs. The primary duties involve preparing the operating room for the specific surgery procedure that is to take place. Once the operating room has been thoroughly prepped, surgical scrub techs will remain in constant communication with the registered nurses as well as the surgical team and its supervisory staff.
Primary Duties
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Preparing an operating room for an operation requires a tremendous amount of time and responsibility. Surgical scrub techs must test out any surgical equipment to be used during the operation and report any problems or malfunctions immediately. They must also sterilize all tools, equipment and medical accessories that will enter the operating room, in addition to sterilizing fixtures within the operating room such as lights, the surgical table and any other equipment remaining in the room. The surgical scrub tech must also bring in any requested supplies and equipment, open and arrange all tools, instruments and packages and restock any supplies that are running low. Once the procedure is completed, the surgical scrub tech must remove and clean all instruments used during the procedure.
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Professional Obligations
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A surgical scrub tech is bound by a strict code of ethics. He must maintain patient confidentiality while keeping an open line of communication with the patient's family or friends at all times. Surgical scrub techs are often sent on behalf of the surgeon or doctors to speak to the patient's family about any concerns they may have or any updates the surgical staff may have. In this role, they must act as a counselor or hospital liaison, relaying information to and from both parties. They must also be able to effectively communicate with the surgeons, doctors, registered nurses and other members of the surgical staff in order to ensure that all surgeries run smoothly, safely and efficiently. Surgical scrub techs must also be reliable and easily accessible by phone and pager should they need to report for duty.
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Resources
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Comments
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Is scrub tech the same thing as surgical tech??
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How was the schooling to become a scrub tech? I am in school now for medical administrative assisting and some of the basic classes like a&p 1 and 2, and med terms are a couple of the classes I would take. But I am nervous about microbiology and pharmacoloy. Any or hints?
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Talk to Lori or Janelle on OR to see what you need to do.
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You should!
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wants to do this.
