Surgical Scrub Technician - Job Description, Education Requirements

So you want to be a surgical scrub technician? It's easy to do. All you need is a love of learning and a drive to help people.

As a surgical scrub technician you will be where all the action is. You are a key component in an operating room. You need to be able to handle instruments efficiently and you must be able to keep moving.

You job will be to make sure everything is running smoothly. All tools need to be kept sterile, and orderly. Your job is to prep a patient before and after surgery. Surgical technicians work hand in hand with doctors, nurses and laboratory personnel.

First you will make sure the operating room is ready. You will check for non-sterile equipment and make sure that everything is updated and working properly. Therefore you must be educated in all new surgical technology, such as fiber optics and lasers.

You will prepare the patient for surgery by washing and disinfecting the area for surgery. You will be responsible for bringing the patient to the operating room. Your job is not done there. You have plenty of other responsibilities. You will help the surgical team "scrub" in, hence the name Surgical Scrub Technician.

You job as a scrub is very important. Therefore you need a good education. You need to find a program that is right for you. Do your research and find a good school in your area. Before you enroll you must decide if you want to earn a diploma or a degree.

The difference is in the time it takes to complete. Both give you the opportunity to become certified in your field. You need to take into consideration, time, money and your future. If you are looking to advance your field, obtaining a degree is a better option.

Once you are enrolled, your program will take anywhere from 9 months to 2 years. You will listen to lectures, work in labs and participate in hands on learning. You can expect to work hard, but you will gain tremendous amounts of knowledge, which will prepare you for your career.

When you finish your program you will be ready to take the National Certification Exam to become a CST (Certified Surgical Technician). You need to update your certification every 4 years.

You can advance your career by specializing in a specific area of surgery such as neurosurgery or open heart surgery. You need to stay on top of all new developments in your field as technology is ever changing.

Good luck and Happy Scrubbing! Source: Certsurgicaltechnologist dot com