• Work in hospitals, nursing facilities, home health agencies or patient’s homes.
• Work in hospitals and outpatient surgery centers.
• Help prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment, sterile drapes and sterile solutions that will be needed for the operation.
• Adjust and check equipment to be sure it is working properly.
• Prepare patients for surgery by washing, shaving and disinfecting incision sites.
• Observe patient’s vital signs, check charts and help surgical team with gowns and gloves.
• Pass instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons and assistants.
• Help prepare, care for and dispose of specimens taken for lab analysis.
• Help transfer patients to recovery room, and clean and restock the OR.

Education/Training

• High school diploma, college prep courses recommended.
• Formal training programs through vocational schools, community and junior colleges, universities, hospitals and the military.
• Course work includes anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, professional ethics, medical terminology, care and safety of patients during surgery, aseptic techniques and surgical procedures.
• Students learn to sterilize instruments, prevent and control infection, and handle special drugs, supplies, solutions and equipment.
• National certification examination.

Salary

• Ranges from $25,000 to $36,000.

More Information

• Association of Surgical Technologists
  7108-C South Alton Way
  Englewood, CO 80112
  303-694-9130
  http://www.ast.org