Surgical tech work, OR Technician Work and Job Description
Scrub Technicians, also known as surgical technologists, provide an integral part of the modern surgical team. The rapid growth in this field provides many opportunities for individuals to join this much-needed
medical profession. The main job responsibility of a scrub technician is assisting in surgery and other medical operations as part of a surgical team under the supervision of medical and surgical personnel. In relation to these scrub technicians prepare the operating rooms, set up surgical and sterilization equipment, and check all equipment to make sure that it is functioning properly. 
Approximately 70% of all scrub technicians are employed in hospitals, primarily in operating and delivery rooms. They may also be employed by physicians who perform outpatient surgery out of their offices. A few specialized technicians are employed directly by surgeons with special surgical teams (for example, those that participate in complicated transplant procedures). Because scrub technicians primarily work in hospitals, their environment is sanitary, air-conditioned, and well-lighted. However, they may have potential exposure to communicable diseases and unpleasant sights and smells. Most work a forty-hour work week, but they may work nights, weekends, holidays, or be on-call in a rotating nature depending upon the practices of the employing medical institution.
OR technician education, Scrub Technician Education
Scrub technicians can attend any of the 400 accredited training programs recognized to train surgical technologists by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). High
school diplomas are almost universally required for admissions.
Programs can last from 9-to-24 months and can culminate in a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. Education focuses on classroom education and supervised hands-on experience. Topics covered within these programs include anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, ethics, and medical terminology. Further, training for all tasks (as enumerated above) will take place during the program.
Scrub technicians should be certified by the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist. Certification can be acquired by taking and passing the national certification exam. Upon completing a CAAHEP-accredited program and passing the exam, an individual becomes designated as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). To retain certification, it must be renewed every four years.
Scrub Technician Salary | OR Technician salary
The median annual earnings of scrub technologists is approximately $40,070. Most earn somewhere between $30,300 and $43,560 annually. Further, most employers provide paid vacation, sick leave, retirement, and insurance to people employed as scrub technicians.
