How to Be a Scrub Tech With No Previous Medical Experience
If you aspire to work with surgeons and assisting in a wide array of surgical operations, then consider becoming a surgical technologist, often called a scrub tech.
Surgical technologists are a crucial part of an operating team and without these health professionals, it would be almost impossible to perform any surgical operation successfully. To step in the doors of an operating room as scrub tech you don't need any medical experience but you're required to undergo formal training in an accredited institution.
What Exactly Is a Surgical Technologist?
For surgery to be performed successfully, there must be adequate input from a team of medical professionals which include surgeons, nurses, and surgical technologists. Scrub techs offer a great deal of assistance in the surgical procedures: before, during, and after.
Surgical technologists are health workers who sterilize operation environment and prepares the patient for a surgical procedure. Scrub techs are found in hospitals, dentist's offices, and outpatient care centers. They perform their duties under the directives and supervision of a surgeon.
Day-to-Day Duties of a Scrub Tech
Before surgery is carried out, surgical technologists prepare patients and the operating room. They ensure that there are enough consumables and disposables such as gloves, facemasks, surgical dressing, tissue adhesives, and other supplies for wound care.
They assemble all surgical equipment, check if they are working properly and sterilize them. Surgical technologists wash and disinfect patients' incision sites, and transport the patient in and out of the procedures.
When the surgery is being performed, technologists assist the surgeon by passing whatever tool he or she asks for, as well as keeping the operation room sterile. Once the surgical procedure is complete, it is the responsibility of the technologists to remove any cotton or anything left in the incision site before dressing the patient. Finally, the surgical technologist takes the patient to the recovery room.
How Can I Become a Surgical Tech Without Previous Medical Experience?
If you don't have medical experience, the journey to becoming a scrub tech starts by enrolling for an associate degree in surgical technology in an accredited college or technical school. These institutions should offer hands-on experience which helps surgical technologist graduates to be effective personnel when they enter a surgical environment for the first time.
Upon graduation, you need to prepare yourself for the certification exam needed to practice in the state that you're in. While not all states that require surgical technologists to get this certification, it may eventually become compulsory for everyone aspiring to work as a surgical technologist to earn a certification.
Importance of Formal Training in the Field of Surgical Technologist
Scrub techs are health workers, and it is important for them to successfully complete post-secondary education. Enrolling for formal training helps to gain medical knowledge that cannot be acquired through other programs. During formal training, a degree program may consist of courses on medical terminologies, anatomy, biology, physiology, microbiology, and other topics.
Through formal education, surgical technologist students are taught techniques of handling and sterilizing all types of surgical equipment. Most importantly, they receive hands-on experience in a clinical setting which prepares them and boost their confidence as they join surgeons and nurses performing surgery in a healthcare setting.
As part of the program, students are placed in clinical internships which are supervised by the institution. The internships provide learners with practical training in a real operating room. Interns are also paired with mentors who guide and train them in areas where they may need more clarification. The experience and knowledge gained during this education process could help you to build a solid resume.
Take Proactive Steps to Becoming a Scrub Tech
If you are interested in the world of surgical technology and want to dive in, a formal degree could be just what you need to get started. Earning an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Surgical Technology from ECPI University could be the head start you want. For more information on this exciting program, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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