• In this overview, we are going to walk you through what surgical techs do, their abilities, and their career paths. Learn along with the education and certification requirements; salary expectations and job outlook for surgical techs. Let’s get into the world of surgical technology and answer the question, “What do surgical techs do?”

What Are Surgical Techs?

1. Before delving into “what do surgical techs do,” let’s first define a surgical technologist. Surgical techs are the medic members of healthcare, assisting surgeons during surgical procedures by preparing the operating suite, maintaining the sterile field, and supporting the surgical team in the OR. They have often been the “unseen” heroes of the operating room, working silently and effectively to ensure things go smoothly.
2. A surgical tech works in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and even nurses to ensure a clean operating room. The surgical tech also cares for surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies, as these are properly sterilized and available when needed.

What Does a Surgical Tech Do? Major Tasks

• What do surgical techs do on a day-to-day basis? Their responsibilities can vary depending upon the type of surgery, the surgical team, and the healthcare facility. However, all surgical techs perform some key duties.

1. Preparation of the Operating Room
The most critical activity that a surgical technologist carries out at the onset of the procedure is preparing the operation room for surgery. Such preparation involves readiness and sterility, appropriate equipment, instruments, and supplies. Another thing requires an operating room to be cleaned up to ensure the prevention of infection. This in turn means a surgical technologist is playing a vital role in keeping the place clean.

• 2. Sterilize and Organize Instruments
  What do surgical techs do with instruments? Surgical technicians make sure that all instrument pieces are available, clean, and free of contaminants for use during the operation room. They must also be informed of how to handle and effectively prepare these tools.
• Surgical techs learn sterilization techniques and are responsible for cleaning, sterilizing, and arranging surgical instruments to prevent the risk of infections and ensure that the surgical team has anything they need during the procedure.
• 3. Assist during surgery
  Once the surgery has begun, techs are pretty engaged with the surgical team. Techs often stand to the surgeon’s left and hand off tools and instruments as needed. This list would include suctioning fluids or holding an instrument at times, as well as many other things that require precision.
• To achieve this, the surgical technologist should maintain a patient’s vital signs during some procedures, manage drapes to maintain the sterile field, and assist with closure of wounds as the surgeon is closing.
• 4. Maintaining the Sterile Field
  Perhaps the most important aspect of their job during a surgical procedure is maintaining the sterile field. The term “sterile field” refers to the area around a surgical site that must be kept free of bacteria or contamination when used in a surgical sense.
• Surgical technologists maintain everything in the sterile field-instruments, drapes, and gloves-to be in a sterile state at all times during the procedure. The surgical technologist remains observantly aware of the surroundings and would not allow anyone or anything to enter the sterile field.
• 5. Preparing the Patient
  Before the surgery begins, surgical technologists prepare the patient for the procedure by verifying the patient’s identity, checking the surgical site, and positioning the patient correctly on the table.
• In a few instances, the surgical technologists can assist with prepping the surgical site, cleaning and disinfecting the skin area where surgery will take place. They may also assist in sterile draping areas that do not have to be operated on.
• 6. Post-Operative Responsibilities
  After the procedure is completed, operating room assistants continue to engage in their activity by aiding in bringing the patient into the recovery room. There is also typically a task to clean the operating room area and prepare it for the next procedure. Another role that operating room assistants have is the proper disposal of contaminated materials like used surgical drapes or instruments.

What Do Surgical Techs Do in Different Specialties?

• While what do surgical techs do would seem to imply a myriad of responsibilities, the reality is that surgical techs may actually have work available in several specialties, each with their unique task and requirements. Here are a few of the more commonly noted specialties within surgical technology:

1. Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgical techs assist during bone and joint surgeries, such as joint replacements, fracture repairs, and spinal surgeries. They may handle specialized instruments such as bone saws or drills, and help position the patient for the procedure.

2. Cardiovascular Surgery
In cardiovascular surgery, surgical techs may assist in heart surgeries, vascular procedures, or bypass surgeries. They have to sterilize and prepare the instruments for these highly complex and delicate procedures.

3. Neurosurgery
Neurosurgical techs assist surgeons in operating on the brain and spinal cord. They have to understand the specialty-specific instruments used in neurosurgery and keep the sterile area clean in highly delicate procedures.

4. Pediatric Surgery
Pediatric surgery techs commonly assist with surgeries on children and infants who are operated on. They handle smaller surgical instruments assisting in positioning the patient to ensure safety during the performance of surgeries on younger patients.

5. General Surgery
General surgical technicians are involved in various surgeries from day to day, including appendectomies, hernia repairs, and removal of the gallbladder. The work also involves preparing the patient and preparing general surgical instruments and tools for their respective use during the process.

Education and Certification: To become a Surgical Tech

Now that we have answers to “what do surgical techs do,” you are probably wondering how to become a surgical technologist. If you are serious about pursuing a career as a surgical technologist, you will need to meet specific education and certification requirements.

• 1. Education Requirements
  The typical requirement of a degree formal education is usually required in the surgical tech position. Surgical tech programs are usually offered through various community colleges, vocational schools, and even online learning platforms. These programs typically take 9 to 24 months and lead to a certificate or associate degree.
• Students will learn the rudiments of surgical procedures, anatomy, medical terminology, patient care, and various sterilization techniques among other skills in these programs. You will also get lots of hands-on experience in clinical settings where you’ll be able to observe and assist in surgeries under the supervision of licensed professionals.
• 2. Certification Requirements
  Although certification is not always necessary to practice as a surgical technician, many employers prefer to employ those who have such training. The most widely accepted certification for the surgical technician is the Certified Surgical Technologist offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
• Candidates must also be examined on such areas as sterile technique, surgical procedures, patient care, and safety protocols to be eligible to receive the CST.

Job Outlook and Salary Expectations for Surgical Techs

Demand for surgical technologists is likely to go up enormously in the future years. “Employment of surgical techs is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, which is faster than the average for all occupations, reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This boom is mainly because more surgeries are performed and there will be an older population requiring more medical procedures.

How much do surgical techs earn?

Surgical techs average a salary of around $51,000 per year, the BLS reports. Again, though, this will vary with location, years of experience, and specialty. The most experienced surgical techs in high-demand specialties or locations will receive a premium, such as upwards of around $73,000 annually among the highest-paid 10 percent.

Conclusion

1. Simply put, what do surgical techs do? Surgical technologists are integral components of the medical team that prepare the operating room for surgery, organize and properly sterilize surgical instruments as well as assist surgeons during various tasks necessary to the procedure. Their job ensures smooth, safe, and efficient surgeries.
2. Becoming a surgical technologist requires special education and training, as well as certification. However, the job provides employment stability; opportunities to grow as an individual; and the ability to make a real, positive difference in people’s lives. If you’re considering this career or would like to learn more about what is an important role, it’s clear that surgical technologists play a vital part in healthcare.