Surgical technologist

There are few mandatory professional requirements for surgical technologists, and the scope of practice varies widely across countries and jurisdictions.

Specialties can include, but are not limited to, the following: genitourinary, obstetrics and gynaecology, urology, ENT, plastics, general, orthopedics, neurology, and cardiovascular.

In the U.S., surgical technologists are certified and work under the supervision of a surgeon, surgeon's assistant or other surgical personnel (such as a more senior technologist), to help ensure that the operating room environment is safe, equipment functions properly, and the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety.

Surgical techs are in the operating room before the patient is brought in, setting up the sterile back table(s) and mayo stand(s).

Scrubs are in charge of and handle the instruments, scrubs, sutures, implants, equipment and various surgical sponges, from extremely small, under 0.25 in (6.4 mm) square for neurosurgical procedures, to much larger lap sponges which are used during surgical procedures in or on larger areas of the body; irrigation fluids and medication.

[1] The circulating nurse and surgical techs count all of the instruments and sterile supplies at least twice throughout the procedure, to make sure everything is accounted for.

[3] Surgical technology began in renowned medical institutes and universities of Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Azad Kashmir.

Surgical technologists can work in government and federal sectors as grade 16/17 professionals though they have limited number of seats in THQ and DHQ hospitals despite intensive workload.

[citation needed] In Mozambique, they provide advanced surgical services, often working autonomously in the absence of a physician.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow by 19 percent by 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.

[3] This trend is related to the expected rise in the number of surgical procedures performed, as the population grows and ages.

[citation needed] In 1967, the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) published a book titled Teaching the Operating Room Technician.

[citation needed] In 1973, AORT became independent of AORN and changed the title of the position to what it is today, surgical technologist.

[citation needed] Surgical technologists were introduced around 1984 in the aftermath of the Mozambican Civil War that had crippled the health sector.

They are trained to provide comprehensive medical and surgical care, filling a gap created by the shortage of surgeons, especially in rural areas.

Accredited programs provide both didactic education and supervised clinical experience based on a core curriculum for surgical technology.

The accredited programs vary from nine to 15 months for a diploma or certificate to two years for an associates degree, which is the preferred entry level but not required.

Surgical technologist demonstrating proper precautionary raised idle hand position