The surgical technologist, also referred to as an operating room technician, is a member of the surgical healthcare team. Supervised by a registered nurse, the surgical technician provides technical support to surgeons, registered nurses, and anesthesiologists in an operating room setting. In the operating room the technologist arranges supplies and instruments, keeping an accurate count of the latter at all times; helps the surgical team members scrub and dress for surgery; passes instruments and other sterile supplies to the surgeon during the operation; helps apply dressings; and helps prepare and preserve specimens taken for testing. The technologist if qualified, may also operate sterilizers, lights, suction machines, and diagnostic equipment and may become specialized in certain areas of surgery. After the operation, the technologist may transfer the patient and help restock the operating room and maintain its aseptic conditions. Under close supervision, the technologist may also assist in patient care in the operating room and delivery room. Operating room procedures require precise work and may last several hours, therefore, the surgical technologist should have the physical stamina to work quickly and accurately under pressure and be detail oriented.

Educational programs are offered by community and junior colleges, vocational-technical schools, the Armed Forces, as well as some hospital based programs. The program includes both classroom instruction and clinical education, and generally lasts nine to twelve months. Some community college programs last two years and award associate degrees. Certification by examination is voluntary and available from the Liaison Council on Certification, the certifying body of the Association of Surgical Technologists, Inc. The credentials of a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) are granted after graduating from an approved academic program and successfully passing a written examination.

• Less than 2 years

Employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005, as the volume of surgery increases and operating room staffing patterns change. The number of surgical procedures is expected to rise as the population grows and ages. Older people require more surgical procedures. Some employers may seek to substitute surgical technologists for operating room nurses to reduce costs. However, because some facilities and States limit the work that surgical technologists can do, widespread displacement of operating room nurses is not likely to occur. Hospitals will continue to be the primary employer of surgical technologists. Nonetheless, the shift to outpatient or ambulatory surgery will create faster growth for technologists in offices and clinics of physicians, including “surgicenters.”

Other health occupations requiring approximately one year of training after high school are licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapy technicians, medical laboratory assistants, medical assistants, dental assistants, and optometric assistants.

$29,020

• Columbia Public Schools Career Center Health Occupations Center
• Franklin Technology Center At Mssc Health Program
• Kaw Area Technical School
• Ozarks Technical Community College
• Penn Valley Community College
• Pratt Community College & Area Vocational School
• Rolla Technical Center
• Seward County Community College
• Southeast Missouri Hospital College Of Nursing & Health Sciences
• St. Louis Community College @ Forest Park
• Three Rivers Community College
• Wichita Area Technical College

• Aft Healthcare
• American Medical Technologists
• American Society Of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses, Inc.
• Association Of Surgical Technologists, Inc.
• National Association For Medical Equipment Services