Surgical Technology Program Career Facts
Nature of Work
The surgical technologist is the person who stands
elbow-to-elbow with the surgeon and passes the instruments. After
the surgeon, the surgical technologist is the person closest the
surgery. It is his or her job to maintain the sterile field and to
respond to the surgeon's needs.
In operating rooms in this area, only the surgeon, the
surgical technologists, and possible a resident or intern "scrub in"
or wash hands in sterile fashion, don gowns, masks and gloves and
have contact with the surgical opening. It is the surgical
technologists' responsibility to be aware of everything going on in
the room to make sure that sterility is maintained. The surgical
technologist is also responsible for counting the instruments,
needles, blades, scalpels, sponges and other paraphernalia before
and after the operation, in cooperation with the circulating nurse.
The surgical technologists also helps physically arrange the patient
for surgery.
Employment Prospects
Demand for surgical technologists is expected to increase
much faster than that for other professions, because the US
population is aging and older people generally require surgery more
often. Hospitals will continue to be the major employer, although
some surgical technologists work in the offices and clinics of
physicians. There is 100 percent placement of graduates of LCC's
surgical technology program, unless they choose not to be employed.
There is very high demand nationwide, with about five job openings
for every graduate.
Skills You Need
Surgical technologists need manual dexterity to handle
instruments quickly. They also must be conscientious, orderly, and
emotionally stable to handle the demands of the operating room
environment. Technologists must respond quickly and know the
procedures well enough to have instruments ready for surgeons
without having to be told. They are expected to keep abreast of new
developments in the field.
Other skills that are required to succeed as a surgical
technologist include: physical strength, eye/hand coordination,
critical thinking skills, concentration, good interpersonal
relations, memorization and sequencing. Prerequisite college courses
are required for admission the Surgical Technology Program.
Expected Earnings
Starting salaries for surgical technologists range from
$25,000 to $35,000. The higher figure reflects shift, weekend, and
overtime differentials. An experienced surgical technologist may
earn close to $39,000 not counting the differentials mentions.
Allied Health and Human Services
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Phone: (517) 483-1410
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