Career Details :: Surgical Technologists
Description
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 surgeon's assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.
Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.
Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.
Tasks
- Places equipment and supplies in operating room and arranges instruments, according to instruction.
- Puts dressings on patient following surgery.
- Assists team members to place and position patient on table.
- Aids team to don gowns and gloves.
- Scrubs arms and hands and dons gown and gloves.
- Maintain supply of fluids, such as plasma, saline, blood, and glucose, for use during operation.
- Cleans operating room.
- Counts sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
- Washes and sterilizes equipment, using germicides and sterilizers.
- Hands instruments and supplies to surgeon, holds retractors and cuts sutures, and performs other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.
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Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
- Communicating With Other Workers
- Performing General Physical Activities
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Consequence of Error
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Indoors
- Special Uniform
Related Majors
| Major | Add to XapPack |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technician |  [ add ] |
| Surgical Technology | [ add ] |
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.