What You Need to Know About Surgical Technologist
Example of Surgical Technologist Job Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeon’s assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.
A Day in the Life of a Surgical Technologist
- Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists.
- Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing.
- Order surgical supplies.
- Hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons’ assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.
- Maintain files and records of surgical procedures.
- Wash and sterilize equipment, using germicides and sterilizers.
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What a Surgical Technologist Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Surgical Technologists say are important on the job.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Surgical Technologist
- Operating Room Technologist (OR Tech)
- Surgeon’s Assistant
- Operating Room Surgical Technician (OR St)
- Scrub Technician
- Surgical Technician
Job Demand for Surgical Technologists
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 107,700 jobs in the United States for Surgical Technologist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 12,600 new jobs for Surgical Technologist by 2026. There will be an estimated 10,000 positions for Surgical Technologist per year.

The states with the most job growth for Surgical Technologist are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Illinois, Rhode Island, or Connecticut. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Surgical Technologists Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Surgical Technologists ranges between about $32,870 and $69,170 a year.

Surgical Technologists who work in Alaska, California, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Surgical Technologists make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $36,630 |
Alaska | $63,930 |
Arizona | $50,680 |
Arkansas | $42,720 |
California | $60,940 |
Colorado | $53,620 |
Connecticut | $56,750 |
Delaware | $47,250 |
District of Columbia | $59,280 |
Florida | $44,030 |
Georgia | $44,830 |
Hawaii | $54,240 |
Idaho | $51,330 |
Illinois | $49,730 |
Indiana | $45,640 |
Iowa | $41,080 |
Kansas | $42,290 |
Kentucky | $45,520 |
Louisiana | $39,990 |
Maine | $46,450 |
Maryland | $56,130 |
Massachusetts | $55,440 |
Michigan | $43,280 |
Minnesota | $58,630 |
Mississippi | $39,700 |
Missouri | $43,070 |
Montana | $49,440 |
Nebraska | $45,280 |
Nevada | $59,040 |
New Hampshire | $50,660 |
New Jersey | $53,740 |
New Mexico | $44,110 |
New York | $55,310 |
North Carolina | $43,940 |
North Dakota | $45,000 |
Ohio | $47,400 |
Oklahoma | $41,800 |
Oregon | $54,280 |
Pennsylvania | $44,940 |
Rhode Island | $50,700 |
South Carolina | $39,970 |
South Dakota | $40,970 |
Tennessee | $43,860 |
Texas | $49,410 |
Utah | $44,300 |
Vermont | $43,880 |
Virginia | $50,790 |
Washington | $58,320 |
West Virginia | $37,390 |
Wisconsin | $53,870 |
Wyoming | $43,430 |
What Tools & Technology do Surgical Technologists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Surgical Technologists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Database software
- MEDITECH software
- Graphics software
- Google Drive
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Internet browser software
- Patient tracking software
- Supply documentation software
- Surgery workflow communication software
- Nursing documentation software
- Patient scheduling software
How do I Become a Surgical Technologist?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Surgical Technologist?

What work experience do I need to become a Surgical Technologist?

Where Surgical Technologists Are Employed

Surgical Technologists work in the following industries:

You May Also Be Interested In…
Career changers with experience as a Surgical Technologist sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
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