Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Surgical Technologist
What surgical technologists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Check the surgeon’s preference card, pull instrument trays and verify sterility indicators. From there, the day usually includes prepare operating rooms with sterile instruments, equipment and supplies, perform surgical scrub and gown and glove themselves and the surgical team, and set up and maintain the sterile field throughout the procedure. Usually full-time. Hospitals require on-call coverage for emergency surgeries on nights, weekends and holidays; outpatient centers keep more regular daytime hours.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a surgical technologist working full time.
- Check the surgeon’s preference card, pull instrument trays and verify sterility indicators.
- Scrub, gown and glove, open sterile supplies and organize the back table and Mayo stand.
- Perform the initial count with the circulating nurse and participate in the surgical time out.
- Assist in a laparoscopic gallbladder removal, passing instruments and managing the camera cords.
- Perform closing counts, prepare sutures and dressings and hand off the specimen correctly labeled.
- Break down the room and help turn it over for the next case: an orthopedic knee replacement.
- Restock, clean up and review preference cards for tomorrow’s cases.
Where surgical technologists work
Most surgical technologists work in hospital operating rooms; others work in outpatient surgery centers and physicians’ offices that perform surgery. They stand for long periods, wear scrubs, masks and gowns, and must stay alert during long cases.
Hours and schedule
Usually full-time. Hospitals require on-call coverage for emergency surgeries on nights, weekends and holidays; outpatient centers keep more regular daytime hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Prepare operating rooms with sterile instruments, equipment and supplies
- Perform surgical scrub and gown and glove themselves and the surgical team
- Set up and maintain the sterile field throughout the procedure
- Pass instruments, sutures and supplies to the surgeon, anticipating needs
- Perform counts of sponges, sharps and instruments with the circulator
- Handle and label surgical specimens
- Break down the field and send instruments for reprocessing
Tools you’ll use every day
- Back table and Mayo stand setups
- Surgical instrument trays (retractors, hemostats, scissors, forceps)
- Electrosurgical units
- Suction and irrigation systems
- Laparoscopic towers and cameras
- Sterilization indicators and wrappers
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Exciting, high-stakes teamwork in the OR
- Training in one to two years
- Good pay for the training time
- Opportunities to specialize in heart, neuro, ortho or other surgeries
What’s hard
- Long periods of standing in one position
- On-call shifts for emergency cases
- High-pressure environment with little room for error
- Exposure to blood, fumes and sharp instruments
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I can stand and stay focused for hours at a time
- I’m fascinated by surgery and anatomy
- I can stay calm when things get tense
- I’m extremely careful about cleanliness and details
- I like working as part of a tight team
- I’m OK taking call for emergency surgeries
Not sure? Take the free Surgical Technologist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Maintain sterile technique and speak up about any break in sterility
- Pass sharps using a neutral zone or with clear communication
- Use smoke evacuation for electrosurgery to reduce exposure to surgical plume
- Follow counts and time-out protocols on every case