Editing Surgical technologist

{{Short description|Profession}}
[[File:Iranian surgical tecnologist with hijab.jpg|thumbnail|Surgical technologist demonstrating proper precautionary raised idle hand position]]

A '''surgical technologist''', also called a '''surg tech''', '''scrub''', '''scrub tech''', '''surgical technician''', or '''operating department practitioner''' or '''operating room technician''', is an [[Allied health professions|allied health professional]] working as a part of the team delivering [[Surgery|surgical care]]. Surgical technologists are members of the [[surgical team]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm|title=Surgical Technologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|website=www.bls.gov}}</ref> The members of the team include the [[surgeon]], [[surgeon's assistant]], circulator nurse and [[anesthesia]] provider ([[anesthesiologist]], [[anesthesiologist assistant]] or [[nurse anesthetist]]). They possess knowledge and skills in [[sterile technique|sterile]] and [[aseptic technique]]s. There are few mandatory [[healthcare provider requisites|professional requirements]] for surgical technologists, and the [[scope of practice]] varies widely across countries and jurisdictions. Surgical technologists attend junior colleges and technical schools, and many are trained in military schools. In the military they perform the duties of both the circulator and the scrub. The goal is for surgical technologists to be able to anticipate the next move the surgeon is going to make in order to make the procedure as smooth and efficient as possible.
They do this by having knowledge of hundreds of surgical procedures and the steps the surgeon needs to take in order to complete the procedure, including the very wide range of surgical instruments they may need. Specialties can include, but are not limited to, the following: [[Genitourinary system|genitourinary]], [[Obstetrics and gynecology|obstetrics and gynaecology]], [[urology]], [[Otorhinolaryngology|ENT]], [[Plastic surgery|plastics]], [[General surgery|general]], [[orthopedics]], [[neurology]], and [[cardiovascular]]. They only work in surgical or perioperative areas and are highly specialized. Surgical technologist is the proper term for a two-year program which earns a degree in applied sciences. The profession is up and coming and highly in demand.

==Common tasks==

===United States===
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). They gown and glove the surgeons and assistants, sterile drape the patient, and stand right up next to/across from the surgeon and assist with the surgery. Scrubs are in charge of and handle the [[Surgical instrument|instruments]], [[Scrubs (clothing)|scrubs]], [[Surgical suture|suture]]s, implants, equipment and various surgical sponges, from extremely small, under {{Cvt|0.25|in||abbr=off}} 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]].<ref name="auto"/> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Surgical Tech Job Description & Job Duties |url=https://www.surgicaltech.net/job-description.html |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=www.surgicaltech.net}}</ref> Surgical technologists also train other operating room personnel as a vital part of the [[surgical team]].<ref name="Us Bureau of Labor and Statistics">US Bureau of Labor Statistics. [http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos106.htm ''Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition - Surgical Technologists''.] Accessed 5-Mar-2011.</ref>

===Pakistan===
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. It is solely the government's responsibility to acknowledge the credibility of allied health professionals by increasing their seats in government hospitals and raising their salary packages so that they can acquire their basic rights. In Pakistan, depending on the role and employment setting, they may go by different titles including Scrub Surgical Technologist, Circulating Surgical Technologist or Second Assisting Technologist.{{cn|date=May 2023}}

===Mozambique===
In Mozambique, they provide advanced surgical services, often working autonomously in the absence of a [[physician]].<ref name="HRH">Cumbi A et al. "Major surgery delegation to mid-level health practitioners in Mozambique: health professionals' perceptions." ''Human Resources for Health''; 2007, 5:27 {{doi|10.1186/1478-4491-5-27}}</ref> In other countries, professions with similar titles include [[clinical officer]]s, [[clinical associates]], or [[Assistant Medical Officer|assistant medical officer]]s, which can mean different things subject to local circumstances.{{cn|date=May 2023}}

==Employment==
Most surgical technologists, about 60 percent in the U.S., work in [[hospital]]s, primarily in operating rooms. Surgical technologists also deal with equipment, such as handling a [[C-arm|C-arm fluoroscope]] in [[angioplasty]] and orthopedics. A surgical technologist with experience in multiple specialties is often preferred. Other scrub technologists may work in offices of [[physician]]s or [[dentist]]s who perform [[outpatient surgery]] and in [[outpatient care]] centers, including [[ambulatory surgery center]]s.<ref name="Us Bureau of Labor and Statistics"/> In the U.S., depending on the role and employment setting, surgical technologists may go by different titles including ''scrub surgical technologist'' or ''circulating surgical technologist''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.facs.org |title=American College of Surgeons |publisher=Facs.org |access-date=2012-01-02}}</ref><ref name="ast.org">[http://www.ast.org Association of Surgical Technologists.] Accessed 5-Mar-2011.</ref> A few technologists in private practices (also called "private scrubs") are employed directly by surgeons who have special surgical teams, such as those for [[liver transplant]]s.{{cn|date=May 2023}}

Career prospects for surgical technologists are expected to grow in the coming years. 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 [[Employment|occupations]].<ref name="Us Bureau of Labor and Statistics"/> This trend is related to the expected rise in the number of surgical procedures performed, as the population grows and ages. Older people, including the [[Baby Boomer Generation|baby boomer generation]], generally require more surgical procedures and will begin to account for a larger proportion of the general population. In addition, technological advances, such as [[fiber optics]], [[laser]] and [[Robotic surgery|robotic]] technology, will permit an increasing number of new surgical procedures to be performed and also will allow surgical technologists to participate in a greater number of procedures.<ref name="Us Bureau of Labor and Statistics"/>

== History ==

=== United States ===
The role of the surgical technologist began on the [[battle]]fields in [[World War I]] and [[World War II]] when the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] used "[[combat medic|medics]]" to work under the direct supervision of the surgeon. Concurrently, medical "[[corpsman]]" were used in the [[United States Navy]] aboard [[combat ship]]s. Nurses were not allowed aboard combat ships at the time. This led to a new profession within the military called operating room technicians (ORTs).{{cn|date=May 2023}}

With many medical personnel overseas or performing duties in [[military hospital]]s, an accelerated nursing program with emphasis only on operating room technology was set up as an [[on-the-job training]] of [[nursing assistant]]s who worked in the surgery department. These individuals studied [[Sterilization (microbiology)|sterilization]] of instruments and how to care for the patient in the operating room. Techniques, [[Surgical suture|sutures]], draping and instrumentation were emphasized; they also had to do clinical time in labor and delivery and the [[emergency room]].{{cn|date=May 2023}}

After the [[Korean War]] there were shortages of operating room nurses. Operating room supervisors began to recruit ex-medics and ex-corpsmen to work in civilian [[hospital]]s. These ex-military men functioned as circulators in the operating room while the scrub role or "instrument nurse" role was performed by the [[registered nurse]]. It was not until 1965 that these roles were reversed.{{cn|date=May 2023}}

In 1967, the [[Association of periOperative Registered Nurses]] (AORN) published a book titled ''Teaching the Operating Room Technician''. In 1968, the AORN Board of Directors created the Association of Operating Room Technicians (AORT). The AORT formed two committees in 1969, the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist or LCC-ST (now known as the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or NBSTSA)<ref name="Board">{{cite web|url=http://www.NBSTSA.org |title=National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |publisher=Nbstsa.org |access-date=2012-01-02}}</ref> and the Joint Committee on Education. The first [[certification exam]]ination was given in 1970, and those who passed the [[certification]] examination were given a new title: Certified Operating Room Technician (CORT).{{cn|date=May 2023}}

In 1973, AORT became independent of AORN and changed the title of the position to what it is today, surgical technologist. The AORT also changed their name to the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).<ref name="ast.org"/> In 1974, an [[accreditation]] body was established to ensure quality [[education]]. The programs accredited by ARC/STSA (Accreditation Review Committee for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting; formerly ARC-ST) are monitored for compliance with the standards. The ARC/STSA and AST board of directors recommends the associate degree as entry level surgical technology education.{{cn|date=May 2023}}

Today, surgical technologists taking and passing the national certification examination designed by the NBSTSA earn the title of "Certified Surgical Technologist". Certification can be renewed by contact hours or re-examination. Laws for surgical technologists vary by state and many states are in various stages of legislation. Some require certification, some require state registration, and some have no laws at all.{{cn|date=May 2023}}

===Mozambique===
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. Surgical technologists manage [[Trauma (medicine)|trauma]] and participate in obstetric and emergency surgeries. They may also serve as administrators at district-level hospitals.<ref name="HRH" /> It is estimated that surgical technologists perform 90 percent of all obstetric surgeries in the country.<ref>Kruk ME et al. "Human resource and funding constraints for essential surgery in district hospitals in Africa: a retrospective cross-sectional survey." ''PLoS Medicine'', 2010; 7(3): e1000242. {{doi|10.1371/journal.pmed.1000242}}</ref>

==Training, certification and professional organizations==
===United States===
Educationally, surgical technologists graduate from surgical technology programs accredited through the [[Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs]] (CAAHEP),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caahep.org |title=Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs |publisher=Caahep.org |access-date=2012-01-02}}</ref> which relies on information gathered by a collaborative effort of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)<ref name="ast.org"/> and the [[American College of Surgeons]] (ACS). The CAAHEP is a recognized accreditation agency of the [[Council for Higher Education Accreditation]] (CHEA).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chea.org |title=Council for Higher Education Accreditation |publisher=CHEA |access-date=2012-01-02}}</ref> In addition, surgical technology programs are located in educational institutions that are institutionally accredited by agencies recognized by the [[United States Department of Education|U.S. Department of Education]] (USDE) or The Joint Commission. The ARC/STSA is also a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA).{{cn|date=May 2023}}

The following statement was developed by the ACS's Committee on Perioperative Care, and approved by the ACS [[Board of Regents]] at its June 2005 meeting.<ref>American College of Surgeons. [http://www.facs.org/fellows_info/statements/st-47.html ''Revised Statement on surgical technology training and certification''.] Accessed 6 April 2011.</ref> This statement was subsequently approved by the AST, [[American Society of Anesthesiologists]] (ASA), American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants, [[American Association of Nurse Anesthetists]], and American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses.

<blockquote>Surgical technologists are individuals with specialized education who function as members of the surgical team in the role of scrub person. With additional education and training, some surgical technologists function in the role of surgical first assistant. Surgical technology programs are inspected by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology—a collaborative effort of the Association of Surgical Technologists and the American College of Surgeons, under the auspices of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Accredited programs provide both didactic education and supervised clinical experience based on a core curriculum for surgical technology.

Accredited programs may be offered in community and junior colleges, vocational and technical schools, the military, universities, and structured hospital programs in 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.

Graduates of accredited surgical technology programs are eligible for certification by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), an administratively independent body from the Association of Surgical Technologists consisting of representative Certified Surgical Technologists, a surgeon, and the public.

The American College of Surgeons strongly supports adequate education and training of all surgical technologists, supports the accreditation of all surgical technology educational programs, and supports examination for certification of all graduates of accredited surgical technology educational programs.</blockquote>

The professional organization for surgical technologists is the AST.<ref name="ast.org"/> Its primary purpose is to ensure that surgical technologists have the knowledge and skills to administer quality patient care and is the principal provider in conjunction with more than 40 state organizations of [[continuing education]] for surgical technologists. However, certifications are also available from the NBSTSA, the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), and the National Healthcare Association (NHA). These are the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential, the Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) credential, and the Certified Operating Room and Surgical Technician (CORST) credential, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surgicaltech.net/certification/ |title=Surgical Tech Certification |publisher=Surgical Tech |access-date=2013-07-10}}</ref>

A "Certified Surgical Technologist" must earn sixty credits to renew their credential with the NBSTSA. It is a two step process to renew their credential: submit [[continuing education credit]]s (CEC) to the AST and submit the appropriate renewal form to the NBSTSA with the correct renewal fee.

NBSTSA renews a certification every two years. The renewal application must be submitted months before the expiration date. The expiration date is printed on the certification card or certificate. To renew a "Certified Surgical Technologist" credential is important to delivering the best care possible for the surgical patient.

{{cn|date=May 2023}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Iranian surgical tecnologist with hijab2.jpg
Iranian surgical technologist with hijab 02.jpg|Demonstrating proper hand position and technique after gowning and before gloving
Iranian surgical technologist with hijab 03.jpg
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Allied health professions]]
* [[Assistant Medical Officer]]
* [[Clinical associates]]
* Related article: [https://www.an.edu/lifenotes/Your-Life-in-the-OR-as-a-Surgical-Technologist-20160314-5854 Typical day in the OR as a Surgical Technologist]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Surgical technologist}}
* [http://www.arcstsa.org Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting]
* [http://www.facs.org American College of Surgeons]
* [http://www.ast.org Association of Surgical Technologists]
* [http://www.caahep.org Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs]
* [http://www.chea.org Council for Higher Education Accreditation]
* [http://www.mayo.edu/mshs/surg-career.html Mayo Clinic School for Health Science]
* [http://www.nbstsa.org National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting]
* [http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos106.htm#outlook U.S. Bureau for Labor Statistics]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Surgical Technologist}}
[[Category:Allied health professions]]
[[Category:Professional titles and certifications]]