Pulling back the curtain on a lesser-known profession
They are the surgeons’ co-pilots, passing them instruments and supplies before, during, and after operations, often without needing to be asked. Surgical technologists, familiarly known as “scrub techs,” are essential members of the operating team. Their jobs include assembling surgical equipment; handling specimens; operating complex surgical equipment like lasers, robots, and sterilizers; and keeping the area around the surgical site sterile to avoid infections.
“In those crucial moments, surgeons don't necessarily have the time to teach. The surgical techs have specialized education and training to quickly adapt and go to the next step of the surgery,” said Taylor Hedgeland, BSN, CNOR, nurse manager for General Surgery Services, overseeing a portion of the inpatient surgical techs.
In short, “their job is vital,” said DJ Ottinger, MSN, CNOR, associate clinical director at Penn Medicine University City, where outpatient surgeries are performed. “In the operating room, it truly is an interdisciplinary group and without the surgical technicians and their knowledge and support, the surgeons could not complete their job.”
Three surgical techs shared their experiences:
Joanne Schork, ambulatory surgery, PMUC
I used to be a kindergarten teacher but it never felt quite right. My son was born prematurely and I spent a lot of time in the hospital. I felt it must be an exciting environment to work in and it would also feel rewarding to be a part of something that helped so many people. I started taking some pre-requisites for a nursing degree, and my advisor suggested enrolling in the surgical technologist program.
It's been 21 years and I still love what I do. Working in an operating room means you have to be ready for everything. I may start my day doing hand surgery and finish my day in Urology. It's not necessarily hard, but it is a challenge to switch gears and to remember what each surgeon likes to use and how they do a procedure.
I've grown into a resource person and I am very proud of this. My peers often refer to me for advice and surgeons respect my opinions and value my many years of experience. The most rewarding aspect of my job is seeing different surgical procedures and always learning new things. I enjoy working in a teaching environment and being a part of the team that trains tomorrow’s doctors.
Fidel Paredes, inpatient surgery, PPMC
I wanted to be a surgeon as a kid, but because of my family’s situation, I wasn’t able to go to college. My brother, a doctor in Chile, gave me the idea to become a surgical technologist; it doesn’t take a long time and you can still be part the team and change someone’s life for the better.
It was difficult to be a full-time dad with a full-time job and go to school, but I finished at the top of my class. After I graduated, I took the certification test. It was challenging. I noticed that several of my coworkers at Presby were not certified – that wasn’t required in the past – so I offered to help them. These are seasoned, knowledgeable, and dedicated employees who truly love what they do.
I like when surgeons request me, or when someone I trained teaches me something new. To do this job, one must be kind, compassionate, and mentally and physically tough, because you will see a lot of things that will make others faint. This career has many benefits. Above all, you will never stop learning.
Oksana Kozlowski, ambulatory surgery, PMUC
I knew I wanted to work in the medical field. A friend of mine recommended me to a surgical technology program and I had that moment everyone dreams of having – the moment where you realize you've found your destiny, your inner calling. I excelled with surgical technology. Every set-up, obsessing over surgery, learning aseptic technique, falling in love with the OR, and most importantly, getting to help patients through surgical procedures.
The most challenging part of my job is differentiating each surgeon's setups. Every surgeon has specific instruments, set-ups, dressings, and other equipment they prefer. Being in the OR is not work for me; it is a learning experience. To be able to change someone's life for the better makes me proud to say that I'm a surgical technologist who loves their job.