Operating Room Technician

An operating room technician, also called a surgical technician, is a specialist who facilitates surgery before, during and after a procedure. Before surgery they prepare and transport patients, set up equipment, surgical instruments, and other supplies in the operating room, and help surgeons scrub and dress.

Duties and responsibilities: Certified surgical technologists function in non-sterile and sterile capacities by creating an optimal environment for surgical patients. According to the Association of Surgical Technologists, there are three types of operating room technicians or surgical technologist. These positions are scrub surgical technologist, circulating surgical technologist and second assisting technologist. Each post is responsible for different duties and requires separate skills.

SALARY: $44,420

Education: Graduation from an accredited surgical technology program is necessary to become initially certified as a surgical technologist. Surgical technology programs are accredited by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. Training programs are available through a variety of educational settings, including community and junior colleges, vocational and technical schools, military institutions, universities and hospitals. Surgical technology programs can be 9-15 month certificate or diploma programs or two-year associate degree programs. Courses for surgical technology typically include broad medical training in anatomy, physiology and pharmacology, in addition to more direct clinical courses in sterilization techniques and surgical instrumentation.