Surgical Technologists
On the Job
Surgical Technologists are also called operating room assistants. They work under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or others. They may help set up the operating room, prepare patients for procedures, adjust lighting, and pass instruments to surgeons. Unlike Surgical Assistants, they do not usually participate in surgical procedures.
Physical Demands 
This career requires time standing, walking, or running.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.
- Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.
- Maintain sterile operative fields.
- Position patients for treatment or examination.
- Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
- Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
- Protect patients or staff members using safety equipment.
- Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
- Clean medical equipment or facilities.
- Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
Typical Working Conditions
- Close physical proximity with other people.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Working with a group or team.
- Frequent contact with others.
- Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- Frequent decision-making.
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Responsibility for others' health and safety.
- Exposure to disease or infections.
- Exposure to contaminants (like gases or odors).
- Meeting strict deadlines.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.
