The key to understanding your role as a surgical technician is to realize that you will be an integral part of a team, assisting in life changing and life saving surgeries. A surgical technician is in charge of preparing the O.R. before an operation, so that it is a sterile, clean environment that presents no risk of infection to a patient. The correct sterilization procedures on tools and equipment used is vital to the success of the surgery and the health of the patient.
Duties performed by a surgical technician include washing or prepping the surgery room, sterilization of the tools that are to be used while performing the surgery, prepping of the patient themselves by disinfecting areas where surgery will be done, and assisting in the operation itself, passing tools to surgeons. Surgical techs also clean the operating room afterward so that it is ready for the next surgery. This is a very rewarding career, because you will be directly responsible for duties that will very likely save lives.
Because the job of a surgical technician is so important, they must be exceptionally well trained. This is why it can be a two-year vocational program. Programs that are accredited by the CAAHEP are your safest bet for making sure that you are getting the best education available. Programs will include both classroom time and training with actual equipment as well. Understanding your role as a surgical technician means understanding how important your role is, and how much the education matters.
Because there are further developments in medicine almost daily, surgical tech jobs are one of the safest bets for job security, and the industry is expected to grow with the advancements that are being made – around 20 percent by 2020 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median salary for a surgical tech is about $40,000 a year.
Understanding your role as a surgical technician also means that you know what the job offers, and what it requires. For example, you may have access to benefits like health insurance, but you may also be required to work weekends or nights, since surgeries are performed at all hours. You must be able to perform under pressure as well.
