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How do you decide what field of surgery is right for you as a surgical tech?
I am currently enrolled in a surgical technology program and I'm having a hard time deciding what specialty would be best for me. I would like to eventually advance my career and continue on to medical school, however I'm having a hard time making a decision on where I would be better suited. I would like to work with a specific specialty as a surgical tech so that I will have a better idea of my path during and after medical school.
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Doc’s Answer
Simone until you have some seniority as a surgical technologist you'll be assigned general surgeries in different areas of the hospital. Later with some seniority in the hospital you'll be able to choose the specialize surgical areas you wish to assist, including: Cardiology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedic, Pediatric surgery, Organ transplantation and/or Plastic surgery.
The majority of surgical technologists work within the operating room of a hospital with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses. Your common tasks and duties can be split into three phases: before the surgical operation (preoperative), during the surgical operation (intraoperative), and after the surgical operation (postoperative).
• PREOPERATIVE: Before a patient's surgery begins, surgical techs can assist with sterilizing the operating room and preparing all necessary materials. These materials can include surgical wear, medications or surgical instruments. It's important during this stage that these techs sterilize everything to prevent patients from getting infections after surgery.
• INTRAOPERATIVE: During a patient's surgery, the surgical tech's primary duty is to assist doctors and surgeons by handing them sanitized medical instruments or sponges. They might also gather tissue specimens and test them to make sure patients are healthy. They also sterilize instruments and the operating room to protect patients from any possibility of infection.
• POSTOPERATIVE: After a patient's surgery, surgical techs may apply wrappings, gauze or bandages to patient incision sites to ensure that they heal properly. They might also move patients from operating rooms to recovery rooms and gather additional supplies needed for the next operation. Then, they can begin preparing for the next patient.
Not everybody gets to say they work alongside surgeons, saving and changing lives. But that’s exactly what a surgical tech does. You may even share duties with the surgical assistant (sometimes referred to as the surgical first assistant). This will depend on your employer’s size, requirements and operating team structure. Nonetheless, becoming a surgical tech introduces you to a whole network of talented doctors, nurses and other medical professionals whom you’ll continue to learn from all throughout your career. That doesn’t mean everyone will be friendly or that tensions won’t run high. But when a colleague is snappy as they are handing you someone’s heart, it’s easier to forgive.
While there are many rewarding aspects of a surgical technologists career, there’s also one major downside, surgeries aren’t always planned. Somebody needs to be available for emergency situations, and, when you’re a surgical technologist, that somebody might be you. If you really want to avoid overnights, or need a more traditional rhythm, you could aim for employment in a clinic (if there’s one in your area that handles some routine surgeries on site). Or you could focus on oral surgery and seek employment in a dental office. But note that the majority of surgical techs work in hospitals.
Hope this was helpful Simone, remember surgical technologists are employed by the healthcare facility, not by individual surgeons.
The majority of surgical technologists work within the operating room of a hospital with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses. Your common tasks and duties can be split into three phases: before the surgical operation (preoperative), during the surgical operation (intraoperative), and after the surgical operation (postoperative).
• PREOPERATIVE: Before a patient's surgery begins, surgical techs can assist with sterilizing the operating room and preparing all necessary materials. These materials can include surgical wear, medications or surgical instruments. It's important during this stage that these techs sterilize everything to prevent patients from getting infections after surgery.
• INTRAOPERATIVE: During a patient's surgery, the surgical tech's primary duty is to assist doctors and surgeons by handing them sanitized medical instruments or sponges. They might also gather tissue specimens and test them to make sure patients are healthy. They also sterilize instruments and the operating room to protect patients from any possibility of infection.
• POSTOPERATIVE: After a patient's surgery, surgical techs may apply wrappings, gauze or bandages to patient incision sites to ensure that they heal properly. They might also move patients from operating rooms to recovery rooms and gather additional supplies needed for the next operation. Then, they can begin preparing for the next patient.
Not everybody gets to say they work alongside surgeons, saving and changing lives. But that’s exactly what a surgical tech does. You may even share duties with the surgical assistant (sometimes referred to as the surgical first assistant). This will depend on your employer’s size, requirements and operating team structure. Nonetheless, becoming a surgical tech introduces you to a whole network of talented doctors, nurses and other medical professionals whom you’ll continue to learn from all throughout your career. That doesn’t mean everyone will be friendly or that tensions won’t run high. But when a colleague is snappy as they are handing you someone’s heart, it’s easier to forgive.
While there are many rewarding aspects of a surgical technologists career, there’s also one major downside, surgeries aren’t always planned. Somebody needs to be available for emergency situations, and, when you’re a surgical technologist, that somebody might be you. If you really want to avoid overnights, or need a more traditional rhythm, you could aim for employment in a clinic (if there’s one in your area that handles some routine surgeries on site). Or you could focus on oral surgery and seek employment in a dental office. But note that the majority of surgical techs work in hospitals.
Hope this was helpful Simone, remember surgical technologists are employed by the healthcare facility, not by individual surgeons.
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Marisel Rosa’s Answer
Hi Simone, as a surgical tech, you'll have the chance to assist in various surgeries, which will give you a clearer idea of what kind of surgeon you might want to be. In medical school, you'll explore different specialties, both required and elective, to help you make your choice. The key is to get into medical school and excel there. Take pride in everything you do as a surgical tech. Surgeons who notice your hard work, dedication, and eagerness to learn may write glowing letters of recommendation for your medical school application. Wishing you the best of luck!