Working with surgical instruments is the job of a surgical instrument technician, which is part of the allied health professions. Surgery technicians, surgical instrument techs, biomedical device technicians, and surgical techs are all terms that he or she may use. A surgical instrument tech is a person who is in charge of sterilizing and preparing instruments and other areas of an operating or surgical procedure room in the majority of professional situations. A technician may be defined as someone who maintains and repairs surgical instruments in some facilities.
The majority of surgical instrument technicians work in hospital operating rooms, but they may also work in ambulatory care centers, outpatient surgical centers, and other facilities that perform invasive procedures like colonoscopies or oral surgeries. The primary responsibility of this position is to prepare surgical instruments for use, according to most job descriptions. This could include sterilization, inventory, and instrument selection based on an operating physician’s orders. In some cases, it may entail staying in the operating room throughout the procedure to assist with instrumentation, sterilization, and disposal.
The clinical roles that a surgical instrument technician is expected to perform will vary depending on the facility, the type of surgeries being performed, and the facility’s regulations. Because some surgical instrument techs may be considered part of a sterilization and preparation role while others may be considered a member of the surgical team, the roles and responsibilities are defined in the job description rather than the job title. Individual roles’ education requirements are largely determined the role’s definition and scope of responsibility as defined the employing facility.
Surgical instrument technicians must have a minimum of a two-year degree in an allied health program specializing in surgical or biomedical procedures in most facilities. Surgical instrument identification and use, medical terminology and sterilization procedures, as well as biology and other related course material, will be covered. Short-term certificates for similar training courses may be awarded some institutions, but certificate programs are not recognized all employers.
Courses that prepare students for entry-level surgical instrument technician and surgical technician positions are available at schools accredited the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Other organizations offer instrument sterilization accreditation, but it’s important to check with local employers to see what level of education is required for employment. Continuing education credits may be required as a condition of employment depending on the clinical scope of a surgical instrument technician as defined an employing facility.