During National Surgical Tech Week, it’s the perfect opportunity to take a step back and really appreciate five of the best characteristics and skills we appreciate about surgical technologists.
Ability to Learn New Technologies
Technology is everywhere, including healthcare. It can make life easier and simpler in many ways; for example, technological advances will mean not only less time in the hospital but also reducing the need for some procedures, as well as the frequency of others. Surgical techs are an important part of that. Training surgical techs in the correct use of the latest medical equipment will help to continue to improve performance and safety and reduce downtime.
Care About the Patients
For surgical techs, every day is different, but every day involves taking care of patients. Patients are at the center of a surgical tech’s workdays and entire career. That’s partly why this career comes with a high level of satisfaction and higher meaning. Sometimes, people wonder if they make a difference; however, surgical techs leave work every day knowing they have made a difference in someone’s life. That’s an amazing feeling, and it’s one of the great rewards of this career.
Thrive in a Non-Routine Setting
Just as every day is different, any day can include emergencies, including life-threatening situations for patients. As a key member of the team, the surgical technologist must anticipate the needs of the patient and the surgeon to ensure that each operation goes as smoothly as possible. That includes being ready for anything and expecting the unexpected. While surgical techs aren’t expected to work miracles, they must be able to think quickly on their feet in emergency situations.
Work Well with Others
For surgical techs, the ability to work as part of a team is a critical skill. The operating room is full of professionals, and they must work together to do their jobs effectively and provide the best possible care for the patient. Surgical techs are valuable members of an operating room team, and they work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, and registered nurses to deliver specialized care before, during, and after surgery.
Great at Organization
Surgical technologists must be very organized. They have specific duties before, during, and after surgery, and organization is key every step of the way. If a surgical technologist is not sufficiently organized, it can affect every stage of the operation, and it may result in inadequate supplies for surgery, slower response time during surgery, inaccurate counts of items, a non-sterile environment, and numerous other problems. For example, inaccurate counts of items as the surgeon is completing the operation could result in retained surgical items, which can be catastrophic for the patient.
Happy Surgical Tech Week!
At 365 Healthcare Staffing Services, we specialize in the recruitment and placement of healthcare professionals in per diem, travel, and permanent assignments in healthcare facilities across the country. We appreciate surgical techs – this week and every day throughout the year! Are you a surgical tech searching for your next assignment? We can help: give us a call at 310.436.3650!
