As a member of the surgical team, this specialist assists the surgical staff before,
during and after surgery. Primary responsibility is to prepare and maintain a sterile
field during an operation. Surgical technologists ensure the safety and well-being of all
patients undergoing surgery and assist with proper handling and care of surgical
instruments.
Duties
Graduates in this field may be required to:
check supplies and equipment
set up sterile table with instruments,
supplies, equipment and medication
gown and glove surgeon and assistants
pass instruments during surgery
prepare sterile dressings
maintain high standard of sterile techniques
assist in preparing for next patient
assist in cleaning of room
process instruments/equipment
Working Conditions
Graduates in this field commonly experience:
work in hospitals: operating room/labor and
delivery/central sterile processing
work in physicians' office, emergency
departments, as sales representatives, and as anesthesia technicians
work is fast-paced
work is stressful/work under time
constraints
Physical Demands
active (much walking, standing, carrying)
light to heavy lifting and pulling
Characteristics & Temperaments
Graduates in this field should have:
assertiveness
good oral communication skills
dedication
attention to detail/ability to do precision
work
discretion
flexibility (ability to change tasks as
needed)
adaptability
ability to maintain composure
ability to work cooperatively with a variety
of people
ability to show compassion, caring,
sensitivity
ability to work with inanimate objects
ability to "catch on" quickly
ability to understand and follow directions
quickly and accurately
moderate spatial aptitude
mechanical reasoning: understand mechanical
principles and devices; understand how things work and how to fix them
good motor coordination (hand/eye
coordination, accurate and swift movements, finger/manual dexterity)
excellent interpersonal skills
excellent organizational skills
ability to prioritize well
Employment Outlook
Employment statistics for 2002-2007 PTC graduates, who found jobs in
this field, are as follows:
salary average:
$23,778 per year
salary range:
$19,000-28,000 per year
98% placement rate
employment in cities and towns of all sizes
entry level positions: medical salesperson;
organ procurement team member; Autologous Blood Collection System Operator, first
assistant
Employers
Recent graduates have found work at:
Program & Course Information
For information about Piedmont Technical College's programs and courses offered in
this area, visit the Surgical Technology Program's Web page.
Career Tracks is
a publication of Piedmont Technical College that reflects the current career statistics
for students who have completed programs of the college. Forward your questions
about this site to Andy Omundson at (864) 941-8376 or by e-mail to
omundson.a@ptc.edu.
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