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| Home > Allied Health Occupations List > Operating Room Technicians |
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Operating Room Technicians (also called Surgical Technicians, Surgical Technologists, Scrubs) assist in surgical operations under the supervision of surgeons, nurses or other surgical personnel. Their duties include: preparing the operating room by setting up instruments and equipment, preparing patients for surgery, operating and monitoring diagnostic equipment, preparing incision sites, passing instruments and supplies and keeping inventory during surgery, care and disposal of specimens for laboratory analysis, transferring patients, staffing postoperative recovery rooms, and cleaning and restocking the operating room.
Career Videotape – Watch a short video about this profession |
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Although the demand for surgical technologists varies among communities and geographic regions, employment is expected to grow much faster than average through the year 2014. The aging of the population and health care cost containment will spur this growth. Fiber optics and laser technology advances will allow for and increasing number of new procedures. Surgical technologists will also be given a greater number of operating room tasks.
For additional information visit the U.S. Dep. of Labor-Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Licenses & Certificates
Graduates of training programs are eligible to apply to The Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist, which governs this area for the Surgical Technologist (CST) and the Certified First Assistant (CST/CFA).
Liaison Council on Certification of Surgical Technologists
www.lee-st.org
For additional information on licensing in the State of Connecticut visit:
http://www.ct-clic.com/transtype.asp?code |
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Surgical Technicians must be high school graduates. Recommended high school courses include: biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Surgical Technicians must complete at least a one year Technician/Technology program at a vocational technical school, hospital or community college. Community college programs last two years and lead to an Associates degree. Training programs must be accredited by the American Medical Association Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA). Standards for Surgical areas include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, anesthesia, pharmacology, care and safety of patients, legal aspects of patient care, and professional ethics. Surgical Technologists also learn sterilization methods, prevention and control of infection, and the handling of drugs and equipment. Clinical experience must include commonly performed procedures in general surgery including obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, urology, orthopedics, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Recertification is required every six years, and continuing education credits are necessary for recertification. |
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