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A Fact Sheet on Surgical Technicians and How They Use Mayo Stands

Surgical technicians are hugely important members of the health care team. Their profession is one of the fastest growing in the overall health care industry, with an expected rate of growth in demand of around 15% by 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Due to the fact that there is such a large expected growth in demand, it may be interesting for people considering the health care industry to look into what these technicians do, how they use mayo stands in their work, where they work, and so on.

Surgical Technologists, Mayo Stands and Other Duties

Surgical technicians are also known as “scrubs.” Their main goal is to make sure that the surgeon is supported to properly do their job. They are an essential member of the overall operating team, working directly with surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other staff members. Their pre-operative responsibilities are vast, and include:

  • Readying the patients, making sure they are washed, shaved, and disinfected. They then wheel them to the OR (operating room). Before, during, and after the procedure, scrubs also monitor patients’ vital signs.
  • Getting the OR prepared, checking all the necessary equipment is there and that it has been properly sterilized.

During the procedure, they:

  • Hand over supplies and instruments to surgeons and assistants.
  • Operate equipment such as suction machines and lighting.
  • Look after the samples that surgeons take and ensure they are send for laboratory analysis.
  • Apply dressings if required by the surgeon.

After the procedure, they also many other responsibilities, including:

  • Wheeling the patient from the OR to the recovery room.
  • Tidying and sterilizing the OR in full.
  • Recounting, reassembling, cleaning, sterilizing, and maintaining the medical instruments.
  • Restocking the surgical instruments.

Where Do Scrubs Work?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that around three quarters of all surgical technologists working within state, local, and private hospitals. This means they work in a high risk environment where they are confronted with many infectious pathogens. They must also be on their feet for long periods of time. The job is hard, because scrubs are regularly confronted with unpleasant scents and sights, as well as with death. Normally, they work in shift patterns on a 40 hour a week basis. They may also have to be on call during emergencies.

Job Opportunities

A growth of 15% in demand is expected by 2024, as previously stated. This is particularly true for those who have been certified in surgical technology. Hospitals will likely continue to be the main employers of scrubs, but with the growth of ambulatory surgical centers, there may be a slight shift in this.

Surgical technologists are very much hidden professionals who patients are not really aware of. This means they tend to be under-appreciated as well. That said, their role is as important as that of anyone else within the overall medical team, and surgeries could not be performed successfully and productively without their help. The profession may be undervalued, it comes with an interesting salary (average of $44,330 per year), excellent opportunities, and a lot of personal and professional fulfillment and satisfaction.

Boris Dzhingarov
Boris Dzhingarov

Boris Dzhingarov is a business news writer who covers a wide range of issues.

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