Surgical Technologists: What They Do

This video is a "day in the life" of a Surgical Technologist. For more information about this and other programs at Great Lakes Institute of Technology, visit www.glit.edu/ or call us at 814-864-6666.

[@prettyporsha3able]

I'm a new tech (graduated June 4th, 2021). I'm 33 now and this is the 1st job that I can actually say I love and I've worked many jobs. I finally found my passion and love what I do!

[@Ashley-og9ti]

OMG you're my inspiration!!! 🥰 I'll be 32 in a couple of months and just started looking into programs. Hopefully I get in for the Spring semester (classes start January 2022). I am really excited but nervous at the same time. I'm leaning towards surg tech; but I was also considering xray/radiology programs as well . Congrats on graduating that's AMAZING!! Would love to hear about your experience/school/clinicals/specialties/getting a job, etc.

[@prettyporsha3able]

@@Ashley-og9ti Hi Ashley! I went thru an accelerated program that was only 10 months and I can't lie it was probably the toughest thing I ever got thru. I almost gave up numerous of times but I fought thru. I'm also a single mother to a 5 year old boy so that made things rough at times as well. I'm not a book worm so I hated class work but I loved clinicals. I did over 200 cases during school. I was amazed every time. My favorite is definitely plastic surgery. I'm currently still looking for work that will fit me because I don't have a lot of support when it comes to my child so I'm looking more into an outpatient clinic. I live in a small town so not a lot of opportunities and places out here but I still have faith. I think you should definitely try it out, the program can be tough but if I made it thru anybody can! Feel free to ask me any questions and good luck to you!!

[@Nicoleunironically]

Congratulations on your graduation and finding a passion and something you love! I’m 24 and am interested in the job! Reading your story was super inspiring!

[@ac3121]

How much they started you with and how is the job demand is

[@Michkins100]

I'm actually in the middle of my program now, is there any tips you can give to succeed in the program? Any sugesstion would be great!! :)

[@fartstinkslikeamf]

Life's crazy. I wanted to be a police officer when i was a teenager. But I'm now a Surgical Tech. Totally didn't expect this happening at all ever.

[@fartstinkslikeamf]

@Jeremiah Atkins Like all things in life, it takes a lot of adapting!

[@naima1615]

Is it hard like nursing school??

[@NightRanger77]

better career choice! everyone hates pigs these days haha

[@jesslabrunette]

I wanted to do the same thing, but now I’ve been thinking for a while now about what i want and their is no doubt in hell i want to be working in a hospital

[@dpaper7962]

I'm a Sterile Processing Tech. Is it true Sterile Processing Techs and Surgical Techs make the same amount? I have 5 years experience with SPD. I'm a traveler but if I would have to take a permanent job in the department, my pay would be $20/hr in the city and in DC area I would get $23-$25/hr. And that's hospital pay. Surgery center pay would be $25/hr in the city and $28-$30/ hr in DC area. I'm ready to move on with Surgical Tech but not if I gotta get the same pay as a new grad. I would negotiate $2-5 more since I have SPD background

[@Aaroncarter55726]

I am 23 and I’ve been a surgical tech for about a year now and I love this job! This is the one job I love.

[@joseluisakachoche7483]

Hello i went to sjvc in california. Im doing my extership and im getting train as a medical assistant. But im not really good in my eanglish communication when i call patients to remind them about their appointment. My question is can i still work as a surg tech with my am certificate.

[@hartonotono5141]

کلئئوظبرببننشئلھننشمنشھرلوسوسوسوسسلخننشئلظےووشےووشسفسضرننشمنلجننطوننش

[@samuelolguin3154]

@@joseluisakachoche7483 no u need to pass a CST certification test

[@veronicagarcia2475]

How long was your course

[@dianaivery74]

@@joseluisakachoche7483 yeah you have to take a whole different test. Go back and take a different program or study and just pay for the exam out your pocket I don't know the situation if they got financial aid or not but I do know you can pay to take the certifications in surgical tech.Good luck to u whichever route u take.

[@natashawilliams4013]

I'm grateful for this video I'm planning on going into that line of the medical field in winter semester so now I understand the duty and I like it already 😎💓

[@cheryldwyer9804]

I did this for years! Thank you for the video.

[@heyitsnayaa6736]

I never even knew this was a career 😳😳😳omg bravo 👏

[@Elllahwu]

Omg same!! Thought it was a nurse doing it

[@ccoop3774]

@@Elllahwu Nurses scrub and assist. I did it for years.

[@naebonnie]

Me either

[@kema.1971]

As a nursing student we did this for OJT duty( both major and minor surgery)...

[@rchallender2493]

I'm kinda curious why techs don't wear gloves when setting up the surgical cloths and equipment? Is there a reason for this or just personal preference 🤔?

[@leleprtk]

The plastic around de instruments is not sterilized, we only use gloves after we opened all packages on the surgical table.

[@XPXhumble]

Idk which one to go for between surgical tech or LPN

[@Chichiwilliams]

Same I’m stuck between these two

[@MsParidise]

Keep the videos coming ...maybe one for first day of clinical rotation.

[@tusalud5217]

Thank you, more videos like these please, step by step

[@changesinlife7009]

This is what I needed to see.

[@Bryanj13.]

Will you learn how to suture the patient when the surgeon is done or does the surgeon do it?

[@dianaflores4070]

Great video😍I just passed my NBSTSA certification this month!!!!

[@julyvargas59]

How long did it take you to finish the program?

[@dianaflores4070]

July Vargas It was one year, three semesters 💕

[@dianaflores4070]

@plmoknty it was honestly easy, not as hard as you think. 💗The AST study 📖 guide exam questions was very helpful ❣️

[@RbEoWyA]

@@dianaflores4070 are you working already? If so, what do think about it?

[@dianaflores4070]

@@RbEoWyA hello 🤗 and yes I am working as a surgical technologist 💗at a hospital 🏥 and I love my career field!!! I enjoy seeing all surgical procedures 😍

[@santosandrade5492]

Que DEUS continua dando sabedoria pra vcs, DEUS ABENÇOE vcs e suas família

[@carasmussen27]

great video overview 🙂

[@rhythm6503]

Could anybody answer my question do yall know if its common to work 24 hours for a full shift then the very next day working another 12 making it 36 in total

[@audreymichelle2087]

I start classes in January and I’m excited. Thank you for the video

[@cibola5chris]

Are you enjoying it?

[@Ronalee.]

I'd love to hear your process

[@kkrishnan8824]

Which college how much is the fees

[@audreymichelle2087]

Fortis Institute in Houston TX North Campus

[@audreymichelle2087]

There is a school called Dignity College of Healthcare Professions and the surgical tech program is 4 months long and classes are online and accredited in 44 states and the price is $2,500

[@yvonnedavey8833]

I did this for a living, have never seen a video of before though!

[@dominicramos1045]

Davey what college degree to you need to do this work?

[@bella.3015]

I second this what kind of degree did you receive in order to get here, and do you like this profession? Hope you see this reply 😁

[@munnahosan2604]

Great video

[@TheDeadRealative]

great job

[@Miskeen.]

Are the operating in the end or what are they doing ?

[@dr.armanislam2981]

helpfull video ,thanks

[@kushkiddoh4709]

Is perioperative theatre technology marketable?

[@michael_mackley]

How do you anticipate the surgeon's needs? That's the one question I have about this position. When you go to school do you learn each procedure from start to finish and just memorize the order of the instruments the surgeon will be using?

[@JenniferSmith-lu5cn]

It's sort of hard to describe but it really the stage of surgery and the type of tissue being worked on, etc. Some surgeries require very large setups with multiple pans, trays, cords, and things you would never see in school and learning all this comes from learning from techs who are currently working with that experience in the field. Some things however can be anticipated by just watching what the surgeon is doing. An example would be that once the surgeon has made incision into the tissue, usually the next steps are to have a forcep ready so they can do fine dissection of the tissue which means you would have either a pair of scissors like a metz ready to hand to them or the electrocautery. It really is surgeon specific and tissue specific. It really just comes with time. Another example is if you are in an ortho case and the surgeon asks for an osteotome. Most likely the next instrument after that would be a mallet (hammer). You just learn the surgeon specific techniques as you go and it takes time. Be patient with yourself. Surgeons are notoriously impatient but don't let that detour you. Hope you get into the field as we need more of us!

[@cernechristina6552]

@@JenniferSmith-lu5cn I am interested in this job how many years of study to learn technology surgery?

[@user-ho9qq8kf4v]

Hello my name is Tareq I'm from 🇾🇪 I'm surgical technician . I worked there 2years for many surgery firstly in ophthalmic surgery then in general surgery and orthopedic surgery and etc.. Steps choose the suitable instruments for operation Ex. Rt. Radius # for patient his age is 11 and he is slim I'll choose orthopedic instrument 3.5 D.C.P also 3.5 Plates , knife , metz scissor ,dissecting forceps toothed 2 one for surgern and other to the resident, small gauze , mayo scissor, screws(have many shapes), screwdriver, maybe use k-wire( has many sizes) , drill , suitable bit( has many sizes) thank you sir have a nice job.

[@JenniferSmith-lu5cn]

@@cernechristina6552 In the US, the best route is to get the 2 year Associates degree in surgical technology. I would also strongly recommend becoming certified as some hospitals will not hire a tech without that certification. Some places will pay more because you are certified. There isn't a whole lot of "grandfathered in" as they call it which is where you can walk in and someone just trains you without any education whatsoever. That is going bye bye and for good reasons as this is patient care and it is surgery. So a 2 year degree with national certification through NBSTA.

[@reneerenee2552]

Great Video

[@carolinake864]

Los caminantes

[@candygarrido2083]

Great video !

[@bibiayeshamaniyar6147]

Bscanesthesia is Comfortable and good for girls please tell me sir

[@danielmelgozajr9091]

Great Video !!!

[@lostaesthetic9740]

Im in highschool and I really am considering doing this for a job

[@jfmediaofficial]

Same!

[@prclessveve]

Go for it !!!! I’m in clinicals now and I love it ‘

[@prclessveve]

I’ll be posting a video of my first week of clinicals soon as a student If interest 💪🏽

[@jadahood6094]

@@prclessveve do you have to remember all the different instruments name?

[@trelljohnson9702]

@@prclessveve I would love to see d vid cause I start n Jan.

[@stealdeal8308]

I’m starting my surgical tech program this summer in Kinda scared not sure what to expect

[@ASimpleBall]

Hey how has it gone so far? I’m considering this too but I hear it’s stressful

[@dionpodlas9642]

How is the circulator reaching over the sterile feild she contaminated the sterilization of the feild

[@_AvaGlass]

@5:00 is the person on the left chewing gum?!

[@keithlyan7408]

How are they different from a scrub nurse?

[@NabukeeraChristinah-wp9tq]

May the almighty God help me so that I can make it.

[@knzay]

you forgot to mention the part about yelling at med students.

[@jesslabrunette]

Lol

[@hajarabdulrahman4508]

Lol dead. 😂😂

[@rickthompson3695]

That’s making it as perfect as it gets! But in real life.....

[@gandalfsbeard0216]

Lol, in real life your orthopedic surgeon just shoved their next total knee in right as you gown up..... and the panic is real haha.

[@yvonnedavey8833]

You have a full day's schedule and not enough staff, so that you are working at a running pace, when you get in your car at the end of the day, your heart is pacing like mad! And that was pre covid!

[@gandalfsbeard0216]

Cool tip for Ortho scrubs, just 3/4 drape your back table instead of toweling off with those crappy blue towels.

[@Sharkbait923]

For real. I just use 2 3/4 drapes for my double decker and its so much better

[@pleple9886]

1000000000000000000000000000​0

[@himanshitilak7592]

Mam gloves ke age ka hissa touch nahi karte

[@prof.j.zamudio1262]

Hi!! I have been a CST for 26 years and currently an educator and program administrator. I'd like to thank you for the video, which I was planning to use as an instructional tool until I saw the scrub technique. The footage is great and very on point. Unfortunately, the scrub technique does not meet the standard of practice we required in the surgical technology practice. I hope it can be reviewed and corrected for us to use it. Thanks otherwise. Kindly JZ.

[@Ashley-og9ti]

Will you explain what was incorrect; how the scrub technique should be performed?

[@fireflie320]

I’d like to know as well?

[@whitneyhull4310]

Can i ask you a question?!i am interested in a school but all they have is the ncct?is that bad?

[@RbEoWyA]

After watching this video......I'm a Surgical Technician now 😐

[@michaeladunbar9777]

How do you like it?:)

[@angiegonzalez6775]

Do u like it?

[@rickthompson3695]

Haha

[@hyldathomas]

Do you like it?

[@naicadesruisseaux4376]

Wait I got a question are you allowed to wear white coats when you done with surgery and not have any surgery

[@bobbyibitoye3978]

how long for basic hand wash ?/

[@user-ho9qq8kf4v]

Hello my name is Tareq I'm from 🇾🇪 I'm surgical technician . I worked there 2years for many surgery firstly in ophthalmic surgery then in general surgery and orthopedic surgery and etc.. Steps choose the suitable instruments for operation Ex. Rt. Radius # for patient his age is 11 and he is slim I'll choose orthopedic instrument 3.5 D.C.P or any plates surgeon wanted 3.5 Plates , knife , metz scissor ,dissecting forceps toothed 2 one for surgern and other to the resident, small gauze , mayo scissor, screws(have many shapes), screwdriver, maybe use k-wire( has many sizes) , drill , suitable bit( has many sizes) thank you sir have a nice job.

[@fioredigirasole9075]

With the gloves you don't lose too much sensitivity during surgery you work well?

[@ccoop3774]

No, not at all.

[@fioredigirasole9075]

@@ccoop3774 It must be nice to put on sterile gloves

[@ccoop3774]

@@fioredigirasole9075 Working in surgery is a great job. I loved it.

[@CowboyWeeWop]

@@ccoop3774 loved.?

[@ccoop3774]

@@CowboyWeeWop yes, I did. Most of us have to work. It's a good thing to have a job you love.

[@tiaraprettyallen2958]

I am in school for business and after 3 years realized I hate it I always wanted to be in the medical field but terrified to do so I think I may take the first step into making this a career and go to school for it I know its a big career change which makes me nervous.. any advice from anyone who has a similar career experience?

[@nsgnsg4108]

Go for it girl, everything is possible if you keep your mind up

[@dianaivery74]

Hey don't be discouraged it's a lot of us and go to school and don't work in the field that we went to school for. so if you decide to change that's on you make that sacrifice and do what you want to do good luck boo.

[@whirlwinds2321]

Giirl its calling me too and I already have a good career and degree in a totally unrelated field. Choices....

[@JenniferSmith-lu5cn]

My advice is if you feel like surgical technician may be your thing, see if your local hospital will let you shadow the OR for a couple of days. Here is some additional info/advice. 1- The thing they aren't showing you in this video is that the OR can be a hostile work environment. Surgeons are notoriously aggressive, OCD, mean, like to throw things, and are bullies. And they are like this to everyone. There are some nice ones out there but I've met more mean ones that nice ones. Your right hand man will be the nurse, called a circulator and some nurses are also mean, rude, and aggressive. The saying, "Nurses eat their young" is a saying for a reason. Some techs are also not very nice. Again, the OR can be hostile. We the tech tend to get it more because we are the ones assisting the surgeon so if you aren't fast enough or moving when you should be holding still, the surgeon will most likely let you know...and not in a nice way. I love my job but you have to have VERY thick skin and take everything with a grain of salt because though you are responsible for a ton of things in the OR, primarily sterility and instrumentation, you will be treated with the least respect. You will be blamed for things, cursed at, thrown out of rooms ( some surgeons don't want travelers in their rooms so yes, I occasionally get thrown out) , etc. 2. The pay is sub par. I think the average tech makes 30,000 a year which is terrible especially with the amount of education we have to maintain and pay for and for the amount of responsibility we have in the OR. That is why I am a traveling surgical tech. 3. You may have to do surgeries that you don't necessarily agree with. 4. You will be REQUIRED to take call shifts. The more staffing shortage the hospital has, the more call you will take. And it can vary from a few hours to an entire weekend and you could literally be working ALL weekend, just to have to come back and still do a full week shift. 5. Now with all of that said, being a surgical tech can be very rewarding. Overall I enjoy my job. I love helping patients. I like the challenges. I love hard, complicated things that make my mind really work. Surgery can be fun and very interesting. And I travel so I make more money than the average surgical technician and this on it's own has it's own set of challenges. It's full of pros and cons. You just got to ask yourself how much your willing to deal with. Hope this helps.

[@venkat7989]

I love you my dear Dr.s 🤗❤🤗

[@Elllahwu]

So cool

[@parmilagoswami5324]

Great mam

[@maggyross5764]

Please, suggest me one school, I want to Study surgery technician. Can I study on line some credits?

[@nasrullahkhan9502]

Hi

[@jamiebowling5705]

A tech does not hand towels across an undraped patient. They are to stand on the same side as the surgeon. That's even a CST question.

[@728eduar]

In Colombia it is a professional career and I want to live and work in it in the USA or another country, maybe someone can give me some information about this or what I can do to validate my career

[@rocaelgomez6616]

Hola, no creo que haya forma de validar ese tipo de certificacion ya que aqui (en los EEUU)es una carrera vocacional. Aqui es un curso de dos semestres mas o menos y no necesitan licencia para trabajar sino solamente pasar un examen de certificacion. But to take the certification exam, the Surgical tech must have graduated from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). That is the accrediting body for this type of allied health programs in the U.S.

[@cernechristina6552]

I am interested in this job. how many years of study to learn technology surgery?

[@kassandrafrausto3294]

2 yrs

[@saymakalya3709]

ALLAH YAR VE yardımcısı olsun

[@elnarrador6724]

que asi estuvieran los hospitales en Mexico seria increible.

[@rocaelgomez6616]

@elnarrador: Ese no es un hospital. Es un salon de clases de este instituto donde entrenan a "surgical techs". Son estudiantes en un simulacro de cirugia.

[@muqitkhan9775]

What is difference between operation theater technician and surgical technicians

[@imrannazir6346]

It's a bit same but ot tech is typically better

[@jessieshalini6431]

Craniotomy surgery for before preparation for nurse

[@lorrainelee3092]

Thank you.

[@gloriamaradiaga6633]

GREAT LAXES 🙏🙏🙏

[@surgicaltechnologystc]

What educational video would you like to see?

[@MrDarknight420]

Why did she drape that Mayo like that ?

[@A.G310]

Lmao this video didn’t show the stress that comes from being a Scrub tech. Have to learn how to read surgeons minds lol.

[@yvonnedavey8833]

Absolutely!

[@sabirmaqsood1166]

EXCELLENT 👌

[@naicadesruisseaux4376]

Are you allow to wear white coats and be in pediatric

[@user-hq5zv8sr5h]

از اتقاق عمل هم در بشو

[@mehendrakumarverma7103]

Good morning sir ,I am student in D.I.p.s.and D.p.m.I.colleg delehi,and I read in . B.M.L.T. ok thanks

[@sakinasabir7136]

How much you guys make, I googled it and the highest pay you can earn is $31.00 per hour

[@patriciavallandingham4729]

i thought the OR nurses set up the tables

[@sarisarikaya5845]

😂😂😂😂

[@smtdrgeetachavan6125]

👌

[@shaikhraazakh1869]

I laik it

[@charliesmith3859]

The first 30 seconds of this video feature a ton of "no no''s"

[@gabrielvazquezcastro9460]

Gabriel Vazquez Castro Gabriel Vazquez Castro

[@cherkaouilafdali]

Hola ❤️❤️❤️🙏

[@mallupakkatvpm5572]

1doubt pen usterile equipment🤔

[@gabrielvazquezcastro9460]

,GABRIEL VAZQUEZ CASTRO,

[@gloriamaradiaga6633]

Hola cómo estás 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@sujathahc358]

Navanee

[@shahidwani3232]

But in india we dont have scope and respect of this job.

[@erlikjaya9345]

Latansa di balaei desa

[@wandaweary1384]

Dressing that mayo stand just slide it on

[@guerizd9144]

1:45 ok but why is she not using gloves ?? And just throwing it on the table 😂😂can someone explain

[@ShaybaeForever]

It’s called the drop technique, you don’t always have to have gloves to take materials out of packages😊

[@rickthompson3695]

The wrapping is sterile and you pull it over your hand covering it and it never touches the product! It’s sterile technique.

[@jesslabrunette]

I lost brain cells reading your comment

[@roycempoka5141]

Tim can

[@cherkaouilafdali]

Hola ❤️🇦🇱❤️🇺🇸🙏

[@apdroidgeek1737]

Im confused is this sterile tech or surgical tech

[@apdroidgeek1737]

And whats the difference

[@9898nala]

This is a surgical tech. Sterile tech (sterile processing technician) processes, assembles, decontamination, and sterilizes surgical instruments. Surgical tech is what you see in the video.

[@apdroidgeek1737]

@@9898nala thats exactly what theyre doing here though.

[@sarisarikaya5845]

@@apdroidgeek1737 it’s not what she is doing here ….

[@Letstalk-zx7jx]

I'm tired of my job , i dont help anyone and am just collecting a paycheck, meaningless work. I am looking for work with meaning.

[@mohamedyaseenclinic1478]

So it's like dental assistant ?

[@bhajrangbali7975]

Nah

[@soleilantillean30]

Pretty much, As far as setting up and assisting the surgeon. Dental Assistant do the same for the Dentist.

[@msmrreckoning]

@@soleilantillean30 r u a surg tech? if so do u love it?

[@mh.b5014]

8

[@aprilhale7329]

Wow so many things I seen them do wrong.

[@tashawnaherbert4417]

Explain I’m genuinely curious cause i wanna be a surgical tech

[@aprilhale7329]

@@tashawnaherbert4417 leaning over everything after she open it is a no no.

[@aprilhale7329]

@@tashawnaherbert4417 not being 12 inches from her back table to throw her equipment on is a no no contamination

[@aprilhale7329]

@@tashawnaherbert4417 not leaning over when drying her hand so the towel doesn’t touch her sterile gown.

[@aprilhale7329]

@@tashawnaherbert4417 when putting the strile equipment on the Mayo stand, you suppose to be in the front of it and hold it with your stomach while putting it in so it won’t get contaminated.

[@ririekey7647]

Mamakeypapa

[@perceptronsaber4479]

😪😭

[@arrington2135]

This is something I want to do but I notice it’s a lot of women In this field is this a mainly womens job

[@hakimahmad3273]

لاتعال ٣

[@L0rdjaggi]

If only y’all send the instruments back properly to spd 😤

[@carylanncuevas1270]

B at t