What Do Surgical Technicians Do?
Published - June 26, 2014
If you’ve ever watched a television program like Scrubs, Grey’s Anatomy, or ER, you probably have a good idea of the responsibilities of a surgeon. While doctors are the ones who diagnose and treat illnesses and diseases, surgeons are the highly-skilled professionals responsible for performing operations. Surgery can be elective or necessary, but surgery is always a delicate process requiring the full attention of a surgeon and his or her team.
Surgical technicians are a vital part of this team — one you don’t often see in televised medical dramas.
The Role of a Surgical Technician
Surgical technicians receive rigorous education from a professional surgical technician school in Los Angeles before entering the field. Technicians have many responsibilities, but the most important is the preparation of the operating room before the surgical team comes in with the patient. The sterilization, maintenance, and supply of surgical equipment is all on the shoulders of the surgical technician.
Additionally, surgical technicians are often needed during actual surgical procedures. Technicians assist doctors and nurses during surgery and monitor surgical procedures to ensure the operating room setup and equipment allow for an efficient and safe workflow. Technicians also assist with preparing patients for surgery when necessary.
Technicians can be hired by big hospitals or small clinics; their skills are in demand anywhere surgery is performed. After attending and completing a surgical technician program, technicians are free to find the surgical environment that works best with their individual aspirations and tastes. It may be a high-turnover outpatient clinic, a busy hospital emergency room, or a low-key private practice. It’s all up to the technician.
Surgical technicians are the unsung heroes of operating rooms across the nation. If you’d like to learn more about this challenging and rewarding profession, please visit www.CBD.edu or contact us at 877.770.4CBD with any questions.