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Surgical Technologists

Also called: Surgical Technologist (CST), Surgical Technician, Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), Operating Room Surgical Technician (OR St)

Where in the Air Force? In the Air Force: Surgical Service Apprentice; Surgical Service Apprentice, Orthopedics; Surgical Service Apprentice, Urology; Surgical Service Craftsman, Orthopedics; Surgical Service Craftsman, Otorhinolaryngology; Surgical Service Helper; Surgical Service Helper, Otorhinolaryngology; Surgical Service Helper, Urology; Surgical Service Journeyman, Orthopedics; Surgical Service Journeyman, Urology; Surgical Service Superintendent

What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
  • Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
  • Hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.

Knowledge

Health
  • medicine and dentistry
Business
  • customer service
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Education and Training
  • teaching and course design

Skills

Basic Skills
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Social
  • changing what is done based on other people's actions
  • looking for ways to help people

Abilities

Hand and Finger Use
  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady
Attention
  • pay attention to something without being distracted
  • do two or more things at the same time
Verbal
  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking
Visual Understanding
  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Self Control
  • Cooperation
  • Stress Tolerance

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Medical software
  • Electronic medical record EMR software
  • Supply documentation software
Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel
Electronic mail software
  • Email software

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
some college or
associate's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Registered Apprenticeship Eligible for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program

Job Outlook

Average Outlook
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Salary
$41,790
per year, on average
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about surgical technologists.