MarylandMentor - Plan a Career

List of Careers

Surgical Technologists

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.

If the videos below do not display, you may need Windows Media Player or Flip4Mac.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Tasks

Places equipment and supplies in operating room and arranges instruments, according to instruction.
Puts dressings on patient following surgery.
Assists team members to place and position patient on table.
Aids team to don gowns and gloves.
Scrubs arms and hands and dons gown and gloves.
Maintain supply of fluids, such as plasma, saline, blood, and glucose, for use during operation.
Cleans operating room.
Counts sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
Washes and sterilizes equipment, using germicides and sterilizers.
Hands instruments and supplies to surgeon, holds retractors and cuts sutures, and performs other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.

National Average Salary

$30,710.00/year

Average Salary in Maryland

$37,320.00/year

Important Abilities

   1. Oral Comprehension
   2. Arm-Hand Steadiness
   3. Information Ordering
   4. Finger Dexterity
   5. Oral Expression

General Work Activities

   1. Handling and Moving Objects
   2. Assisting and Caring for Others
   3. Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
   4. Communicating With Other Workers
   5. Performing General Physical Activities

Important Skills

   1. Active Listening
   2. Reading Comprehension
   3. Coordination
   4. Information Organization
   5. Active Learning

Frequent Work Context

   1. Consequence of Error
   2. Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
   3. Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
   4. Indoors
   5. Special Uniform

Related Careers

Related Majors (A) Associate (B) Bachelors (C) Certificate (D) Doctor (M) Master

Lab Medicine/Pathology (M)
Pathologist Assistant (B)
Surgery (B)
Surgical Assistant (B)
Surgical Technician (A)
Surgical Technology (A)

MarylandMentor Institutions Offering Related Majors

No Institution Found

The majors and institutions listed here are based on the current information in our database. Please be aware this information may be subject to change. We strongly encourage you to consult with your career counselor.

	Career Keyword Search Career Info Self-Assessment Career Matching Assistant List of Careers Links MyMentor Careers