Job Requirements of an Operating Room Assistant

Operating room assistants, or surgical technologists, assist surgical staff in tasks required before, during and after surgery. Prior to surgery, operating room assistants will prep a patient by cleaning and shaving the incision area. The surgical technologists will also gather pre-operation information on the patient needed by the surgeon, nurses and anesthesiologist. During the operation, the operating room assistant monitors the staff to ensure the sterility of the surgical area is not compromised. The surgical technologist may also prepare and sterilize the tools needed by the surgeon. The operating room assistant continues to work after the operation, guiding the patient back to the recovery room.

Educational Requirements for an Operating Room Assistant

Operating room assistants generally get their training from one of 400 programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Many of the skills required by operating room assistants are learned on-the-job, with some surgical technologist learning their trade in the military or even the hospitals themselves. Programs for operating room assistants range in time from 9 to 24 months and are offered by many institutions including vocational schools, junior colleges, universities and more. Following graduation, operating room assistants also have the option to become certified by the CAAHEP as a surgical technologist. Surgical technologists with two years of on-the-job training can also be certified by the National Center for Competency Testing.