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Definition of a Surgical Technologist
A surgical Technologist is popularly known as a scrub, scrub tech, or operating department practitioner who generally works with the other team members of the surgical care department. The technologists are the backbone of the operation department as they help set up the operating rooms by keeping the equipment in the room that is required. They assist the surgeons during the time of operation, and after the operation, they sterile the rooms and restock them with the required equipment. They do not treat the medical conditions but help the surgeons and the surgical teams in the hospitals. The technologists see to it that the surgeons work in a safe and clean operating room.
How to Become a Surgical Technologist
1. Educational Requirements to Become a Surgical Technologist
- If you are interested in medicine and want to be a part of the surgical care team without being a surgeon, you can consider this profession.
- You first need to learn about science, safety infection, prevention, and surgical equipment before taking up specialized degree certifications.
- Once done, you can take up an undergraduate/associate degree and later continue with a postgraduate degree as per your interest.
- You can do certifications CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) offered by NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting) and TS-C(Tech in Surgery – Certified) provided by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
- These certifications are well-recognized by many hospitals, clinics, and institutes and will help you in your job-hunting process.
- To get a degree as a Surgical technologist in India, you need to clear the NEET and NEET-PG exams.
- The duration of this course is 1 to 2 years, but the duration of certification or master’s degree depends on the individual candidate’s readiness.
- You can go for internship programs to gain hands-on experience while studying to apply your knowledge and become a professionally trained surgical technologist.
2. Skills to Become a Surgical Technologist
It is important to be a skilled and professionally developed technologist to work smoothly in any clinic, hospital, or institute you will go to later. In this section of the blog, you will get some information on the most required skills to perform your tasks smoothly as a Surgical Technologist.
- Knowledge of different operation tools: This is one of the most important aspects of becoming a scrub tech. If any surgeon asks you for a particular equipment, you should be through with it and not be confused during the time of surgery.
- Knowledge of the process of sterilizing the operation room: A scrub tech should ensure that the room is sterilized, safe and has the required equipment before and after the operation.
- Perform CPR and other life support procedures: A technologist should be able to provide the patients with basic support before the surgeon enters the operating room.
- Human Behavioral Skills: The technologist should be able to handle stress, have stamina, and have good organizational skills to avoid any nuisance during operations.
- Adaption and Knowledge Enhancement: A scrub tech needs to stay up to date with the new techniques and equipment that are invented and adapt to them as quickly as possible.
- Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving Techniques: These are two crucial qualities any technologist must have. They must be able to handle the situations depending on the patient’s condition and take action wisely.
Roles and Responsibilities
The crucial duties and responsibilities of a technologist are to sterilize and maintain a healthy operating room setup. A day-to-day activity of a technologist is to perform their pre & post-operation activities consistently. They ensure that proper supplies of necessary surgical instruments are provided depending upon the operations conducted. They make sure that the patients are prepared for the surgery and transfer them to the operation room before the surgery.
The most crucial and exciting part of being a surgical technologist is to assist a surgeon during the operation. This includes passing the equipment to members of the surgical team as and when required. Providing proper solutions or medications required during the treatment and handling the tissue specimens that go to the lab. Once the pre and actual-operation duties are over, they should have the stamina to complete the post-operation duties. This includes disposing of the materials that are used, counting the equipment and sterilizing them properly, and maintaining a sterilized environment in the operation room.
Career Opportunities
1 . Is there a Demand for Surgical Technologists?
There is a lot of demand and careers in this field in hospitals, outpatient surgical centers,and specialty clinics. This role is in growing demand as there is an advancement in the field of medical technology. The rate of employment in this field is increasing by every 9% from2021 to 2031 and will keep growing. One more factor this number is increasing is due to the increase in the aging population higher number of surgeries and operation rooms are required.Another role for a surgical technologist is to become a teacher later on and teach the future surgical technologist.
Final Thoughts
Surgical Technologists are an important part of the surgical team. It is not easy to conduct surgical operations without them. They ensure the procedure is functioning smoothly and easily. If you feel you are suitable for this field, then we hope this article has provided you with valuable information.
