What You Need to Know About Surgical Technologist
Surgical Technologist Definition 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.
Life As a Surgical Technologist
- Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing.
- Prepare dressings or bandages and apply or assist with their application following surgery.
- Monitor and continually assess operating room conditions, including patient and surgical team needs.
- Wash and sterilize equipment, using germicides and sterilizers.
- Maintain files and records of surgical procedures.
- Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists.
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What a Surgical Technologist Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Surgical Technologists say are important on the job.
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.
Related Job Titles
- Operating Room Technician (OR Tech)
- Surgical Scrub Technologist (Surgical Scrub Tech)
- Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
- Anesthesia Technician
- Certified Surgical Tech/First Assistant
Is There Job Demand for Surgical Technologists?
In the United States, there were 107,700 jobs for Surgical Technologist in 2016. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 10,000 job openings in this field each year.
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.
Salary for a Surgical Technologist
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 different U.S. states?
| 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 & Technology do Surgical Technologists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Surgical Technologists:
- 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 education is needed to be a Surgical Technologist?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Surgical Technologist?
Where Surgical Technologists Work
The table below shows the approximate number of Surgical Technologists employed by various industries.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Are you already one of the many Surgical Technologist in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
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