Direct Patient & Therapeutic Care

Surgical Technician

Career Progression

Entry Level

Centrile Sterile Tech, Surgical Tech

Mid Level

OR Nurse

Senior Level

Pathway Category

Entry Level: These positions are the best entry points for someone with little experience or education, as they typically require only a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) or a technical certification/ training and little to no prior related work experience. Many workers enter this industry through the Direct Patient and Therapeutic Care families. Although these careers start with lower wages, they are often a great starting point with huge potential for promotion and advancement with hard work, dedication, and planning.

What does a person in this career do?

You enjoy working with people! Your critical thinking and problem solving skills help to diagnose, troubleshoot, and treat a wide range of injuries, disorders, and diseases for your patients. You don’t mind being on the front line of the fight to help keep members of your community healthy, happy, and productive.

Occupations in the Direct Patient & Therapeutic Care family focus primarily on changing the physical health status of patients through direct care, treatment, and health education. They spend most of their time working directly with patients to diagnose, troubleshoot, and treat a wide range of physical illnesses, injuries, disorders, and diseases.  Someone who enjoys working with people, doesn’t mind being around illness, and wants to make a difference in their community will like these roles. Travel is not often required, but there are a growing number of institutions offering in-home and traveling or mobile medical services.

Description of duties

Assist surgeons, registered nurses, and other medical professionals in surgical operations and procedures. Ensure the proper set up of various tools and equipment within the operating room, prepare and transport patients to and from surgery, provide instruments and other supplies during surgery, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and other instruments after surgery.

Quick Facts

Wage/Salary Range

Education & Training

Typical Work Environments

Personality Traits

Discover your strengths by taking the assessment.

Knowledge and Skills Required

  • Medical and Surgical Equipment
  • Active Listening and
  • Communication
  • Monitoring of Patient Vital Signs
  • Inspection and Attention to Detail
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Customer and Personal Service

Other Job Titles

  • Surg Tech
  • Surgical Tech
  • Certified Surgical Technician (CST)
  • Surgical Technologist
  • Operating Room Technician (OR Tech)
  • Surgical Scrub Tech