5.7 Surgical Technology
Karen Piette, MHS, CMA and Kristen Hosey
Surgery has existed for hundreds of years. Over time, medical advances, such as increased knowledge of anatomy, improved operative procedures, and an understanding of bacteria’s relationship with infectious disease, have advanced the field of surgical therapy. Surgery may be performed for various reasons, including relieving pain, improving body function, reducing symptoms, and diagnosing a condition or disease.
Today, there are many different types of surgery, and surgeries can be classified in various ways. For example, they can be categorized by the magnitude of the procedure, the body location (e.g., knee replacement), the body system affected (e.g., orthopedic or respiratory), or the type of condition being treated (e.g., neurologic or oncologic). Surgery can also be classified as inpatient or outpatient. Inpatient surgery (e.g., brain or heart surgery) usually requires overnight hospitalization. Outpatient surgery consists of more minor procedures that do not require as much monitoring and is often performed in ambulatory care centers.
As the title suggests, surgical technologists work in the operating room or any area where surgery is performed. Many people are familiar with roles such as perioperative nurses, surgeons, or anesthesiologists in the operating room, but they may not be familiar with surgical technologists, who are essential team members in surgery. Surgical technologists may also be called surgical techs, surgical assistants, scrub techs, or operating room technicians.
Surgical technologists are responsible for preparing the operating room for surgery. Their duties include preparing a sterile environment prior to surgery, reviewing the supply list and the surgeon’s preferences, handing instruments to the surgeon during surgery, assisting as needed, counting sponges and needles before the surgery concludes, and removing tools and instruments for sterilization. They also prepare and clean the operating room for the next procedure.
Surgical technologists have an extensive knowledge of surgical instruments and their uses. For example, they know that scissors and scalpels are used to cut tissue, while retractors hold an incision open during surgery. They also collaborate with various surgeons regularly, so they must be adaptable in their role and able to anticipate the needs of the surgeon they are working with, which promotes efficiency during the surgery. In addition, surgical technologists need to be familiar with hundreds of surgical procedures.
Essential skills and qualities of a surgical technologist include an understanding of patient care, aseptic/sterile procedures and techniques, and the ability to think critically. As part of a surgical team, good communication and time management are essential in this profession.
Employment Opportunities for Surgical Technologists
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024), demand for surgical assistants and