Published
A scrub tech goes to school and takes pre reqs such as Anatomy and Physiology, college algrebra, compostion and rhetoric, anatomy and terminology, intro to health care, and a few others. They are then usually in a program for 1 year or 15 months.
A scrub tech works in surgery and has to perform read, and interpret vital body signs, perform sterile and isolation techniques, help assist and move pt,. They are a part of the surgical team. They function as a part of the operating room team responsible for the cleanliness, safety, and efficiency of the OR.
Hope this helps!!!
My community college offers an associate's degree in surgical tech.
http://www.sinclair.edu/academics/alh/departments/sut/programs/degree/surgical/index.cfm
From the website: "Surgical Technologists are members of the surgical team who work closely with the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and others to ensure that the patient is ready for surgery, the operating room is safe and that sterile techniques are maintained."
There are 2 different paths to becoming a scrub tech- one is one the job training, and the more formal education programs described above. Graduates from a formal ST program are eligible to take a certification exam.
In most OR's they work under the supervision of a registered nurse acting as the circulator, but more hospitals are wanting to use techs as circulators also because they are paid less than RNs.
BrandyBSN
820 Posts
Since I just switched to day shift, im running in to people and jobs that I am not exactly sure what they do...
There is a girl I work that I went to high school with, who I ran into in the hallway. She had an ST by her name, and looked that part up, she is a Scrub Tech.
My question is... what type of education is needed to be a scrub tech? I dont think she went to college after graduation, its this a job that you can learn "on the job"?
What can you guys tell me about this?