Typical Tasks
Prepare patients for surgery, including positioning patients on the operating table and covering them with sterile surgical drapes to prevent exposure.
Operate, assemble, adjust, or monitor sterilizers, lights, suction machines, or diagnostic equipment to ensure proper operation.
Prepare, care for, and dispose of tissue specimens taken for laboratory analysis.
Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists.
Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
A day in the life
What kind of work is this?
Realistic
Practical, Physical Work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Social
Working with people
What personality traits do you need to succeed?
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Self-Control
Integrity
Stress Tolerance
Adaptability/Flexibility
What key skills are needed for this job?
Monitoring
Active Listening
Operations Monitoring
Coordination
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Expected Knowledge
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Common Activities
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
