Overview

The Surgical Technology Program at the Medical Training Institute of New York is designed to provide students with the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains necessary for employment as an entry-level surgical technologist. The AST Core Curriculum 8th Edition was used as a guideline to facilitate the formation of the surgical technology program curriculum, which includes an on-campus lecture component, an on-campus laboratory component, and an off-campus integrated clinical component. The curriculum is designed to provide instruction in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, surgical pharmacology and microbiology, surgical procedures, aseptic technique, surgical instrumentation, and medical-legal components of the practice of surgical technology. Students are also taught necessary skill sets, such as critical thinking under pressure, case preparation and management, and anticipation of patient needs and safety. The final externship portion of the curriculum is structured to include supervised experiences in the clinical environment that require competencies, logs, and evaluations completed by the student. At the conclusion of the program, graduates who have diligently attended class and their externship studied and practiced their skills should have the skills to seek entry-level employment as surgical technologists.

What Surgical Technologists Do

Surgical assistants and technologists help with surgical operations. Surgical assistants, also called surgical first assistants, help surgeons with tasks such as making incisions, placing clamps, and closing surgical sites. Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians, prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors and first assistants during surgeries.

Surgical technologists typically do the following:

• Prepare operating rooms for surgery.
• Sterilize equipment and make sure that there are adequate supplies for surgery.
• Ready patients for surgery, such as by washing and disinfecting incision sites.
• Help surgeons during surgery by passing them instruments and other sterile supplies.
• Count supplies, such as surgical instruments, to ensure that no foreign objects are retained in patients.
• Maintain a sterile environment to prevent patient infection.

Before an operation, surgical technologists prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment. They prepare sterile solutions and medications used in surgery and check that all surgical equipment is working properly. Surgical technologists also bring patients to the operating room and get them ready for surgery by positioning them on the table, covering them with sterile drapes, and washing and disinfecting incision sites. And they help the surgical team put on sterile gowns.

During an operation, surgical technologists pass the sterile instruments and supplies to surgeons and first assistants. They might hold retractors, hold internal organs in place during the procedure, or set up robotic surgical equipment. Technologists also may handle specimens taken for laboratory analysis.

After the operation is complete, surgical technologists may apply bandages and other dressings to the incision site. They may also transfer patients to recovery rooms and restock operating rooms after a procedure.

Surgical assistants have a hands-on role, directly assisting surgeons during a procedure. For example, they may help to suction the incision site or suture a wound.

Surgical assistants and technologists work as members of a healthcare team alongside physicians, Surgeons, Registered Nurses, and other healthcare workers.