What You Need to Know About Surgical Technologist
Position 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.
List of Surgical Technologist Job Duties
- Hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons’ assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.
- Observe patients’ vital signs to assess physical condition.
- Prepare patients for surgery, including positioning patients on the operating table and covering them with sterile surgical drapes to prevent exposure.
- Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists.
- Monitor and continually assess operating room conditions, including patient and surgical team needs.
- Order surgical supplies.
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Qualities of a Surgical Technologist
Surgical Technologists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Surgical Technologist Jobs
- Anesthesia Technician
- Operating Room Technician (OR Tech)
- Surgeon’s Assistant
- Surgical Orderly
- Scrub Technician
Surgical Technologist Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 107,700 jobs in the United States for Surgical Technologist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 12,600 new jobs for Surgical Technologist by 2026. The BLS estimates 10,000 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Surgical Technologist are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Illinois, Rhode Island, or Connecticut. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Surgical Technologists Salary
The salary for Surgical Technologists ranges between about $32,870 and $69,170 a year.
Surgical Technologists who work in Alaska, California, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Surgical Technologists make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,630 |
| Alaska | $63,930 |
| Arizona | $50,680 |
| Arkansas | $42,720 |
| California | $60,940 |
| Colorado | $53,620 |
| Connecticut | $56,750 |
| Delaware | $47,250 |
| District of Columbia | $59,280 |
| Florida | $44,030 |
| Georgia | $44,830 |
| Hawaii | $54,240 |
| Idaho | $51,330 |
| Illinois | $49,730 |
| Indiana | $45,640 |
| Iowa | $41,080 |
| Kansas | $42,290 |
| Kentucky | $45,520 |
| Louisiana | $39,990 |
| Maine | $46,450 |
| Maryland | $56,130 |
| Massachusetts | $55,440 |
| Michigan | $43,280 |
| Minnesota | $58,630 |
| Mississippi | $39,700 |
| Missouri | $43,070 |
| Montana | $49,440 |
| Nebraska | $45,280 |
| Nevada | $59,040 |
| New Hampshire | $50,660 |
| New Jersey | $53,740 |
| New Mexico | $44,110 |
| New York | $55,310 |
| North Carolina | $43,940 |
| North Dakota | $45,000 |
| Ohio | $47,400 |
| Oklahoma | $41,800 |
| Oregon | $54,280 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,940 |
| Rhode Island | $50,700 |
| South Carolina | $39,970 |
| South Dakota | $40,970 |
| Tennessee | $43,860 |
| Texas | $49,410 |
| Utah | $44,300 |
| Vermont | $43,880 |
| Virginia | $50,790 |
| Washington | $58,320 |
| West Virginia | $37,390 |
| Wisconsin | $53,870 |
| Wyoming | $43,430 |
What Tools do Surgical Technologists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Surgical Technologists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Database software
- MEDITECH software
- Graphics software
- Google Drive
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Internet browser software
- Patient tracking software
- Supply documentation software
- Surgery workflow communication software
- Nursing documentation software
- Patient scheduling software
How to Become a Surgical Technologist
What kind of Surgical Technologist requirements are there?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Surgical Technologists Work?
Below are examples of industries where Surgical Technologists work:
Similar Careers
Those who work as a Surgical Technologist sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
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