Job and Career Prospect of a Surgical Technician
May 16, 2009 by admin
Filed under Medical & Healthcare Jobs
In the United States, a surgical technique is an allied health professional, a part of the operating room team. These technicians work under the supervision of a registered nurse or attending surgeon and an assist in all surgical operations and also have the task of adopting instruments to surgeons.
Surgical Technician – History
The role of a surgical technique gained prominence during World War I and World War II that the Army used the ‘medical’ and the Navy used the ‘Corpsman’ working under the direct supervision of surgeons. As the nurses were not be allowed on the battlefield or in the fight against ships during the war, a new post was created in the military was known as the “operating room technicians (ORT). A nursing program with an emphasis on room Technology Operations was established as the work of nurses who worked in the department of surgery.
Immediately after the Korean War, there was a shortage of nurses in the operating room. Therefore, the operating room began recruiting former supervisor and former medical corpsman to work in civilian hospitals. In 1965, these former military men to serve the role of a “instrument nurse.” In 1967, the Association of Technical Operations Room was set up. The association, in turn, formed two committees in 1969 were Liaison Council of Certification for surgery of Technology and the Board of Education. The first certification exam was conducted in 1970 and the people that pass this certification exam is given the title “certified technician operating room (CORT). In 1973 the title was changed to a “surgical technique.
Surgical Technician – Career
It has been estimated that the number of surgical technician jobs will grow faster than the average for all other occupations through 2010 because the number of surgeries will increase dramatically. In a survey conducted in 2006, it was estimated that the salaries of the surgical techniques ranged between $ 34,000 and $ 54,000. Furthermore, surgical technicians are certified can earn about $ 10,000 more per year than their counterparts who are not certified. Hospitals are and will remain the primary employer of surgical technologists but during a period of time, employment is expected to grow in the offices and clinics of physicians.
Surgical technicians can advance their careers specializing in the prospects of a particular area of surgery such as cardiac surgery or neurosurgery. Moreover, with additional training, technicians can advance to first assistants who are responsible for shrinkage, sponge, suture closure and the treatment of wounds and cauterizing bleeders. There is also the option to manage central supply departments in hospitals or taking a job at an insurance company, services or supply of sterile surgical equipment companies.
Surgical Technician – Responsibilities
Some of the responsibilities of a surgical technician are:
* Getting a patient ready for surgery, which usually includes cleaning, shaving and positioning of the patient in the operating room table.
* Prepare and sterilize all surgical instruments before the operation.
* Keep an inventory of all the surgical instruments with the help of a registered nurse or circulator.
* Monitor all members of a surgical team to ensure a sterile field is maintained for each procedure.
* Passing of the instruments and retraction of tissues to help visualize the area of the patient that surgeons are working.
* Use of the suction machine and all the diagnostic equipment and sterilization.
* Learn the operation of the new instruments in terms of technical specialty, such as braces, cosmetic.
Surgical Technician – Training
Surgical technicians are trained in formal programs that are offered by colleges, vocational schools, universities, hospitals and some of the military. Surgical technician training is a combination of academic and hands on education and includes courses in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, surgical instrumentation, microbiology and sterilization techniques.
Students aspiring to become a surgical technician can receive certification by completing a CAAHEP accredited program with a pass national certification exam. The students who have obtained a certification called Certified Surgical Technicians (CST) and the need to renew their certification every 4 years by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).