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Operating Room Technician Career

Operating Room Technician Job Description

An operating room technician is trained to assist the surgeons, nurses and other staff in performing various surgical procedures in the operating room. The primary responsibility of the Operating Room Technician is to prepare the operating room by setting and organizing various sterile equipments and surgical instruments, required for the surgical procedure.

It is the responsibility of the Operating Room Technician to prepare the patient prior to surgery by washing, shaving or disinfecting the operating area. In addition, the Operating Room Technician would also transport the patient to the OR, evaluate and maintain records of vital signs, and assist in dressing the patient after the surgery.

Some OR Technicians may be trained to assist in laboratory analysis, waste management and maintain records.

Operating Room Technician Skills/Duties

Operating Room Technicians, spend most of their time in an Operating Room which is a clean and sterile environment. It is important for an OR Technician to appreciate the importance of ensure a sterile environment from the perspective of patient safety and wellbeing.

He may also have to work for hours, without a break and should have the patience and the stamina to perform such functions.

It is important that OR Technician abides to the safety policies and procedures to ensure his own safety and the safety of his collogues. The surgical team is invariably exposed to disease, odors, smell and unpleasant sights and hence it is important that the OR Technician has the inherent ability to work in these surroundings.

Ability to handle emergencies and to promptly respond to the needs of the surgeons or the assisting nurse is also important. The patient’s safety and health should be the utmost responsibility of the OR Technician and he should be committed to his work. Empathy towards patient’s problems and ability to ensure confidentiality are essential.

Operating Room Technician Education and Training

• A candidate with a high school diploma or an equivalent can pursue this profession. During high school, candidates should be interested in health, chemistry and biology to be able to apply for enrollment in programs meant for OR Technician.

• The programs are conducted for duration of nine months to two years in community or junior colleges, vocational schools, hospitals, etc. These programs are recognized by the Commission which accredits various allied Healthcare Programs. These programs include classroom and clinical training and comprises of anatomy, physiology, microbiology and professional ethics and medical terminologies.

• Certification is provided by the Liaison Council on Certification of Surgical Technologists, and can be obtained by enrolling for one of the certified programs.

• On completion of the program, the candidate has to appear for a National Examination, after which the candidate is titled a certified surgical technologist or a Certified Operating Room Technician. renewal is required every four years

Operating Room Technician Job Outlook

There is a steady increase in the demand for trained and qualified individuals in the healthcare field. With rising population, increasing life expectancy and increasing incidence of communicable diseases, there is an increasing demand for surgical interventions. This would imply that the need for trained surgical assistants is rapidly increasing.

Further, with constant technological advancements, there is an increasing demand for assistants that are well trained to manage some of these technological equipments, to reduce the burden and pressures of surgery on the surgeons. Overall, the career as an Operating Room Technician is a rewarding one, especially for those looking at attempting to help people.

Operating Room Technician Salary

The annual remuneration is in the range of $28,500 to $40,500 per annum, but depends upon the geographic location. Those with accredited certificates earn better than those without accreditation.