Surgical Techs

[Sflowerssweeney]

I am starting my nursing classes next fall so forgive me if this is a stupid question. But what is a surgical tech? I was talking to someone who says her sister is going to school to be a Surgical Tech and that she assists the surgeon during operations. I thought RNs did that. Is it a separate profession?

[RN4NICU, LPN, LVN]

Some RN's scrub (some LPNs scrub also) - but most hospitals do not like to pay for RNs to do this when Surgical Techs serve this specific function and are less costly than RNs. A Surgical Tech program is usually offered through a Community college or a hospital that trains its own techs. It is typically about a 10-month program.

Yes STs are separate from RNs. They suction, pass instruments, hold retractors, etc. The RN circulates the room (I hear there are places that allow STs to circulate, but that is NOT the standard of care). Circulating RNs oversee the sterile field, do the charting (of course!), make sure needed equipment is available, and are responsible for all medications on the sterile field (anesthesia is responsible for their own meds, of course).

Hope that clears it up a little for you

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Places that allow STs to be circulating are doing this illegally.

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

techs are not allowed to do anything requiring licensure, such as IV meds, assessments and planning care. They are really helpful in setting up trays, being extra hands, sterilizing equipment and starting IV's. I did this for a while until I got tired of getting paid less than RN's when I KNEW I could do the job.

[Sflowerssweeney]

Thanks so much for the info. That really helped. This person was kind of putting this job in a category that was much harder than what an RN would do and required much more education. (I guess she was trying to one-up me). I just smiled and said "sounds good." I really didn't know what they did. I'm sure they are a huge asset, I just thought it was a specialization.

Some RN's scrub (some LPNs scrub also) - but most hospitals do not like to pay for RNs to do this when Surgical Techs serve this specific function and are less costly than RNs. A Surgical Tech program is usually offered through a Community college or a hospital that trains its own techs. It is typically about a 10-month program.

Yes STs are separate from RNs. They suction, pass instruments, hold retractors, etc. The RN circulates the room (I hear there are places that allow STs to circulate, but that is NOT the standard of care). Circulating RNs oversee the sterile field, do the charting (of course!), make sure needed equipment is available, and are responsible for all medications on the sterile field (anesthesia is responsible for their own meds, of course).

Hope that clears it up a little for you