Surgical technologists are members of operating room teams, which most commonly include surgeons, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses. Before an operation, surgical technologists help prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment, sterile drapes, and sterile solutions. They assemble surgical equipment, as well as get patients ready for surgery by preparing the incision site. They transport patients to the operating room, help position them on the operating table, and cover them with sterile surgical drapes. During surgery, technologists pass instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons and surgeon assistants and operate diagnostic equipment. Surgical technologists help prepare, care for, and dispose of specimens taken for laboratory analysis and help apply dressings.

Work Environment:

Surgical technologists usually work in hospital surgical units, inpatient/outpatient surgery centers, emergency rooms, labor and delivery units, physicians’ offices, medical sales, central sterile processing, and education.

Academic Requirements:

Programs in North Carolina provide classroom education and supervised clinical experience and lead to an associate degree. Students take courses in medical terminology, ethics, medical aspects of surgical care, sterile techniques, anatomy, and anesthesia. Technologists may obtain voluntary professional certification from the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist by graduating from a CAAHEP-accredited program and passing a national certification examination to gain the certified surgical technologist (CST) designation.

Educational Programs in the Region:

Surgical Technology Programs
Edgecombe Community College
Wilson Technical Community College

Salary Range: $26,000.00 - $42,000.00