Surgical Technologists Profession
Surgical technologists, formerly called operating room technicians, perform many different responsibilities in the operating room. They act as the scrub person, the circulator, and as the first assistant on the surgical team. Their responsibilities include preparing the operating room and instruments, equipment and supplies that will be needed for the procedure. The technologist helps prepare the patient for surgery and passing instruments, sponges, and sutures to the surgeon.
Surgical technologists are the surgical team's expert in aseptic technique, being constantly vigilant for any break in the technique that could endanger the sterile field necessary for a successful outcome of the operation. Surgical technologists belong to a separate non-nursing profession of highly skilled, credentialed allied health professionals that possess specialized education and training to work specifically in the operating room. The preferred entry level education for the surgical technologist is the Associate Degree.
Sterile Processing Profession
This course is designed to present the basic concepts and principles for developing skills and competencies required for infection prevention and control in the sterile processing department in a health care facility. This course will offer knowledge in cleaning, disinfecting, decontamination, sterilization, Standard precautions, and Universal precautions.