With so many different job titles in the healthcare industry, it’s understandable why people sometimes struggle to understand who is in charge of what. Although operating room (OR) jobs are among the more interesting healthcare career options available, most people understandably have little awareness of the requirements for these roles. Anesthesia technicians and surgical technologists will face off against each other in this article to help clarify two distinct OR roles. Despite the fact that they frequently work in teams in the operating room, these healthcare professionals have very different roles to play!
What is a surgical technician?
Medical professionals known as surgical technicians support surgeons and patients before, during, and after procedures. They often report to head registered nurses or surgical technologists. Some job responsibilities of a surgical technician include:
What is a surgical technologist?
A medical expert who assists in setting up a surgical area, such as an operating room, for a procedure is called a surgical technologist. Surgical technologists collaborate with surgeons, registered nurses, and other surgical staff to maintain hygienic work environments and efficient procedures throughout an operation. Some job responsibilities of a surgical technologist include:
Differences between a surgical technologist and a surgical technician
Surgical technologists’ and technicians’ career paths may be different in some ways, including:
Education
To get a job, surgical technologists can get an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. These courses could be finished in a few months to two years. Most community colleges and technical schools offer programs in surgical technology or closely related fields. In contrast, depending on the institution hiring, different surgical technician educational requirements may apply. While some may need a postsecondary diploma or degree, others might train high school graduates on the job.
Patient interaction
Surgical technologists and surgical technicians both interact with patients throughout the course of the day, but their methods are distinct. Technical patient pre-operative and post-operative services, such as shaving, marking locations, or disinfecting the skin, are more directly handled by surgical technologists. Before and after a procedure, surgical technicians may offer patients more emotional support by responding to their questions, providing distractions, or attending to other patient needs. Additionally, surgical technicians may speak with a patient’s family to give updates before, during, and after a procedure and to respond to any queries they may have regarding current or upcoming care.
Experience
The term “technologist” typically refers to a position that is more advanced than a technician in any field. While this is also sometimes the case in the healthcare industry, it may not always be the case in all workplaces. Surgical technicians are more advanced than surgical technologists because some institutions require them to complete additional training or education, like a nursing degree, before being hired. In surgical situations, one frequently aids, reports to, or defers to the other in either situation.
Salary
Similarities between a surgical technologist and a surgical technician
Many aspects of the jobs performed by surgical technicians and surgical technologists are similar, including:
Basic job duties
While surgical technologists and surgical technicians may have a specialty in a particular area of care, they frequently carry out many of the same routine job responsibilities every day, such as:
Despite the terms’ differences, some people may use them interchangeably because of their similar job descriptions.
Certification
Surgery technicians and surgical technologists can both earn certifications for their positions. They may choose to become certified by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting even though it is not a state requirement. Some employers may require certification to get a job. You must pass a test and complete an accredited educational program in order to finish the procedure. The majority of postsecondary curricula prepare students to fulfill these demands and achieve board certification.
Job benefits
Some of the perks offered in benefit packages for surgical technicians and surgical technologists may be the same, like:
Benefits packages may differ based on your level of experience, location, organization, and whether you work part- or full-time.
Job outlook
Skills
The skills required for surgical technologists and surgical technicians to excel in their jobs may be similar because they perform similar job duties. These qualities may include:
Work environment
Many surgical technologists and surgical technicians work in the surgery departments of hospitals and clinics. They might also be employed by additional outpatient healthcare facilities that provide on-site surgical care. Because of this, you can find employment in most American cities and states. For the majority of the day, surgical technologists and surgical technicians might stand in the operating room, move around the facility pushing patient beds or medical carts.
Throughout the course of their workday, surgical assistants and surgical technologists may come into contact with bodily fluids, airborne pathogens, or hazardous materials, so they frequently don protective gear like masks, shoe covers, gloves, gowns, and goggles. They might put in longer shifts than eight hours at a time and be available for emergencies. Schedules for surgical technologists and surgical technicians might include late hours, early starts, weekends, and holidays.
Surgical Technology vs. Surgical Assisting
FAQ
What’s higher than a surgical tech?
Sometimes, the term “surgical technician” is used to describe someone who has received their education primarily through their work experience, with little to no additional education, as opposed to a surgical technologist, who has graduated from an accredited program.
Is Surgical Tech the same as operating room tech?
RNs make an average of $75,330 per year, or $36 more than surgical technologists. 22 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2020.
