Health Professions

Surgical Technology Student Duties

Student Duties

Patient Care Duties to Be Provided by Surgical Technology Students

Stocking, organizing, and ensuring all instruments, equipment, and supplies are present and working.
Maintaining aseptic (sterile) techniques for all items and the sterile field.
Passing instruments, equipment, and supplies to the surgeon and surgical team.
Constantly monitoring and ensuring the sterile environment isn't compromised.
Holding retractors, providing internal organ support, or setting up specialized equipment.
Managing specimens collected during surgery for lab analysis.
Performing counts of sponges, needles, and instruments before, during, and after surgery.
Applying bandages and assisting with patient transfer post-operation.
Cleaning and preparing the operating room for the next procedure.

During their clinical rotations and laboratory practicums, students perform the following:

Setting up the sterile field, arranging surgical instruments, and ensuring all necessary equipment and supplies (e.g., sponges, sutures, suction machines) are sterilized and functioning correctly.
Applying and monitoring strict aseptic techniques to prevent infection, including "scrubbing in" and assisting the surgical team with sterile gowns and gloves.
Positioning patients on the operating table, prepping incision sites, and applying sterile drapes.
Passing sterile instruments and supplies to the surgeon, holding retractors, and managing biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
Performing meticulous counts of sponges, needles, and instruments before and after the procedure to ensure no foreign objects are left inside the patient.
Preparing bandages or dressings to the incision site and assisting in the transfer of patients to the recovery room.