Operating Room Technician - Career Advice - Community and Health

An operating room technician, also known as an OR technician or Surgical Technologist, plays an essential role in the surgical landscape. To ensure a smooth and effective surgical process, OR technicians assist surgeons, nurses and other medical staff in various tasks.

Operating Room Technicians are to prepare the operating room for surgery, set up surgical instruments and equipment, maintain sterile conditions, and monitor the patient and equipment during surgery. They may also prepare patients for surgery and transport them to and from surgery. Surgical technologists may also perform a task called “circulating,” which can involve bringing in supplies or equipment and other tasks that do not require maintaining sterile conditions. Future Growth Strong

ANZSCO ID: 311214

Alternative names: Surgical Technologist, Surgical tech, Surgical Technician, OR Technician, OR Tech, Scrub Tech, Operating Theatre Technician, Operating Theatre Orderly, Operating Theatre Assistant, Operating Theatre Support Officer, Operating Theatre Technician, Operating Department Parctitioner, ODP, Theatre Tech,

Specialisations:

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Technical skills: Technical proficiency is a key aspect of an OR technician's role. It includes a good understanding of surgical procedures, instrument usage and sterilization techniques. Training from accredited programs combined with hands-on experience can significantly enhance this skill.
Ability to work well under stressful and emergency situations: the OR can be a high-stress environment. Staying calm, thinking quickly and performing effectively under pressure are pivotal skills for an OR technician.
Able to act quickly, accurately and with minimal supervision
Interpersonal skills: Work well with other people - able to work as part of a team. As an OR technician, you will be part of a large and diverse surgical team. The ability to communicate effectively with team members, empathize with patients and provide comfort in stressful situations are significant interpersonal skills that can help you succeed.
Exhibit manual dexterity
Attention to detail: Operating room technicians play an essential role in surgical procedures where meticulousness can potentially save a life. From preparing a sterile environment to handling the correct surgical instrument during complex procedures, precise attention to detail is important.
Organised and methodical
Physical stamina - good general health and fitness
Good communication skills
Empathy

Surgical Technologist
(Source: Liveabout)

Duties and Tasks

Reports To Nurse Manager

The Operating Room Technician, under the guidance of the Registered Nurse, is responsible for the care and safety of all patients under his/her care. Included within this assignment is the responsibility for ensuring effective communication with the charge nurse, the patient, staff, physicians, and other hospital departments.

Operating room technicians oversee pivotal duties from preparation to the conclusion of surgical procedures, making them the backbone of the surgical team. They set up the operating room, sterilize and provide surgical instruments, assist during procedures and ensure patient safety and comfort.

Below is a list of common responsibilities for an operating room technician:

Pre-operative responsibilities

As an OR technician, your pre-surgical responsibilities include preparing the operating room, setting up the surgical instruments and ensuring a sterile environment.

Intra-operative responsibilities

During the surgery, an OR technician is responsible for handing over the surgical instruments to surgeons and assisting in the surgical procedure.

Post-operative responsibilities

After the surgery, your role will involve cleaning and restocking the operating room and properly disposing of used surgical instruments.

Sterilizing equipment and surgical tools

Ensuring equipment in the operating room is set up and working properly

Getting patients ready for surgery

Transport patients to and from the theatre and wards
Assist in preparing operating rooms for surgery
Set up, check, connect and adjust surgical equipment
Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses and anaesthetists
Clean and restock the operating room, arranging instruments, supplies and equipment according to instruction: ensure operating room table is wiped down, floor cleaned, linen and rubbish removed at conclusion of each procedure
Position patients for surgical and anaesthetic treatments. Operating theatre technicians usually work closely within a team in a restricted physical environment
Inventorying surgical supplies
Passing instruments to the surgeon during an operation
Assist circulating nurse with care of the patient while in the room, providing nursing care to all patients of all ages
Preparation of cases for following day
Keep doctor’s preference cards updated

They are responsible for helping to maintain a sterile surgery suite, including preparation of a sterile instrument table, as well as other supplies and equipment necessary for a given procedure; they also gather supplies for sterilization after the surgery is complete.

OR Team
OR Team
(Source: St John of God Murdoch)

Working conditions

Surgical Technologists are mostly hired to work in hospitals, although they may also work in ambulatory surgery centers or physicians’ offices in which procedures are performed. Both professionals do work that is physically demanding, and both are on their feet for much of their shifts. Most work in these fields is full time, but hours can vary and may include on-call hours for weekends or evenings and shifts that are longer than eight hours.

Surgical technicians generally report to RNs (registered nurses) and provide support functions to the members of an operating room team. The ability to anticipate the patient's and surgical team's needs during an operation is a crucial part of their job. Specifically, they often are responsible for providing support and comfort to patients about to have an operation, including transporting them to and from the operating room. They may also be involved in monitoring the patient during surgery and getting the patient into the proper position for a particular type of surgery.

Operating theatre technicians may be required to comply with strict uniform requirements.

Lifting Requirements

Very Heavy- is considered generally lifting objects in excess of 220K [100 lbs.] with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing 110K [50lbs or more].

Tools and technologies

As a certified surgical technologist (CST®), you will need to know the medical terminology for hundreds of surgical instruments—and you'll be well equipped to work in a laboratory or operating room.

Some equipment:

Surgical supplies; instruments for the operation; steriliser; personal protective equipment (PPE)—surgical scrubs, masks, scrub caps, surgical gowns, gloves and eyewear.

Arranging surgical equipment
(Source: ECPI University)

Education and training/entrance requirements

A surgical technician may be an employee who has limited education beyond a high school diploma and has primarily received on-the-job training. Surgical technologists spend nine months to two years in training and may receive a diploma, certificate of completion or an associate degree, depending on the program. Prerequisites usually include a high school diploma and an acceptable score. Coursework includes anatomy, biology, physiology, surgical pharmacology, sterile technique, anesthesia techniques, and the use of surgical instruments, equipment and supplies. Some programs also include courses in surgical robotics and biomechanics. Surgical technologists may also be certified.

Surgical technicians are generally expected to have prior experience in a surgical setting; they are often required to hold LPN or RN designation themselves.

Surgical technologists need a certificate or associate’s degree in surgical technology. Surgical assistants typically have experience as a surgical technologist or have completed a formal education program in surgical assisting. Surgical technologists’ work spans from the mundane and routine to urgent and critical, all with the focus on saving lives and aiding healing.

You can work as an Operating Theatre Technician without formal qualifications, however, a Certificate III or IV in Health Services Assistance or operating theatre technical support is usually required. You can also become an operating theatre technician through a traineeship in Health Services Assistance.

Employment Opportunities

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Health Training Package that will expand your career opportunities within this industry. Operating theatre technicians work in hospital or healthcare settings.

Some work in day surgeries, endoscopy clinics and eye surgeries. With experience and further training, operating theatre technicians may progress to higher graded roles.

OR technicians operate in various healthcare settings. These include but are not limited to:

Hospitals: Surgical suites and outpatient centres
Health clinics: Including specialized surgical procedures
Private practices: Assisting surgeons in different specializations
Military hospitals: Providing urgent surgical care to service members

OR Manager
(Source: Cairn Technology)

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