Surgical Tech Job Duties: A Detailed, Real-World Guide to What Surgical Technologists Do

If you’re researching surgical tech job duties, you’re probably trying to understand what the job looks like in real operating rooms, not just a generic definition. Surgical technologists, often called surgical techs or OR techs, are essential members of the surgical team. They help create a safe, sterile environment, support surgeons and nurses during procedures, and keep the workflow organized from setup to cleanup.

This guide breaks down surgical tech job duties in clear, practical sections: what happens before surgery, during surgery, and after surgery, plus common skills, daily responsibilities, specialties, and what employers typically expect. If you’re starting from zero and thinking about how to become a Surgical Technologist, this is also a solid overview of what you’ll be trained to do.

If you want structured training aligned with real operating-room workflows, MedicalPrep can help you build the skills behind core surgical tech responsibilities, sterile technique, instrumentation, setup, and intraoperative support, so you’re prepared for clinicals and entry-level OR roles.

What Is a Surgical Technologist (and Where They Fit on the Surgical Team)?

A surgical technologist is a trained allied health professional who works in operating rooms and procedural areas. Their role is primarily focused on:

Maintaining sterile technique and preventing contamination
Preparing the OR and ensuring required supplies are ready
Anticipating the surgeon’s needs during procedures
Handling instruments and sterile supplies safely and efficiently
Supporting the surgical team’s workflow and patient safety

Surgical techs commonly work with surgeons, anesthesiologists, RNs (circulating nurses), surgical assistants, and sterile processing teams. Depending on the facility, a surgical tech may function as:

Scrub tech (scrubbed in): directly supports the surgeon in the sterile field
Second scrub/assist support: helps manage supplies and supports turnover
Specialty tech: assigned to service lines like ortho, neuro, OB/GYN, or cardiovascular

Understanding surgical technician job duties requires looking at the whole surgical timeline, because the job is not just “handing instruments.” It’s preparation, vigilance, sterile discipline, and team communication.

Surgical Tech Job Duties Before Surgery: Pre-Op Setup and Sterile Field Preparation

A large portion of a surgical technologist’s work happens before the first incision. Pre-op duties are about readiness, safety, and sterile control.

1) Reviewing the Procedure and Equipment Needs

Surgical techs typically confirm key details such as:

Procedure name and surgeon preference cards (if used)
Required instruments, trays, and specialty items
Expected implants or disposable devices
Patient positioning requirements
Need for imaging, cautery, suction, irrigation, or specialty towers

While final clinical decisions are physician/nurse-driven, surgical techs support readiness by ensuring the correct supplies are available.

2) Operating Room Setup

Common OR setup tasks include:

Checking the OR for cleanliness and the correct room setup
Confirming functionality of equipment (lights, suction, cautery, monitors)
Organizing the back table and Mayo stand layout
Confirming required sterile packs, drapes, and gowns are available
Opening sterile supplies using proper aseptic technique

3) Sterile Technique and Surgical Hand Prep

Surgical techs scrub in following facility protocol, then gown and glove using sterile technique. They also set up sterile fields by:

Opening instrument trays and sterile supplies correctly
Ensuring indicator strips and sterilization parameters are acceptable
Separating sterile and non-sterile areas clearly
Maintaining sterility during setup and throughout the case

4) Counting and Documentation Support

In many facilities, counts are performed with the circulating nurse, but the surgical tech plays a critical role in managing:

Sponge counts
Sharps counts
Instrument counts (as required by facility policy)

The surgical tech helps ensure items are organized to support accurate counting and prevent retention.

5) Patient Positioning Support (Within Scope)

While positioning is led by nursing and anesthesia, surgical techs often assist by:

Preparing positioning devices (foam pads, armboards, stirrups, straps)
Ensuring sterile drapes and equipment won’t interfere with positioning
Anticipating where lines, cords, and sterile items should be placed

Pre-op responsibilities are a major part of a technician’s job duties because poor preparation can increase delays, contamination risk, and workflow disruption.

Surgical Tech Job Duties During Surgery: Scrub Role and Intraoperative Support

During the procedure, the scrub role becomes highly active. The surgical tech must maintain sterility, focus, and anticipate needs.

1) Maintaining a Sterile Field Throughout the Case

This includes:

Monitoring the sterile field for breaks in technique
Correcting minor issues immediately (within policy)
Communicating concerns to the circulating nurse promptly
Managing sterile drapes and protecting sterile surfaces

A surgical tech’s situational awareness is central to infection prevention.

2) Passing Instruments and Supplies

Instrument passing is not random; it’s organized and purposeful. Surgical techs:

Pass instruments safely and confidently (handle-first, oriented for use)
Verify the requested item is correct before passing
Pass sponges, sutures, blades, and specialty devices as needed
Maintain an orderly mayo stand and back table so tools are always accessible

3) Anticipation and Surgical Flow Support

High-performing surgical techs learn to anticipate:

Which instrument comes next
When suction/irrigation will be needed
When the surgeon requests a specific suture or clamp
When a retractor change, lap pad, or hemostatic agent may be needed

Anticipation reduces delays and helps maintain procedural rhythm.

4) Handling Specimens

Surgical techs may support specimen handling by:

Receiving the specimen onto a sterile field
Protecting it from contamination
Handing it off properly to the circulating nurse for labeling and transport

Final labeling is usually the circulating nurse’s responsibility, but the tech’s careful handling matters.

5) Managing Sharps and Safety

Because OR sharps injuries are serious, techs follow strict protocols for:

Blade passing and disposal
Needle management (needle counts, controlled placement)
Sharp instrument placement on the Mayo stand
Immediate response to a missing sharp object

6) Supporting Hemostasis and Visualization

Depending on specialty and facility protocols, surgical techs may support the team by preparing and passing:

Electrocautery accessories and tips
Suction tips and tubing
Irrigation fluids and basins
Hemostatic agents (per surgeon request and facility policy)
Retractors and specialty visualization tools

7) Responding to Changes Mid-Procedure

Not every case goes as planned. Surgical techs may need to:

Open additional supplies quickly while maintaining aseptic technique
Retrieve specialty trays or devices
Reconfigure the sterile field if the procedure scope changes
Support emergency conversion (e.g., minimally invasive to open)

Surgical Technician Job Duties After Surgery: Breakdown, Counts, and Turnover

After the procedure, the work shifts to patient safety, accountability, and efficient room turnover.

1) Final Counts and Confirmation

Before closure and/or before the patient leaves the OR, surgical techs support the circulating nurse with:

Final sponge, sharps, and instrument counts
Immediately re-check if a discrepancy occurs
Keeping items organized to reduce count errors

2) Maintaining Sterility Through Dressing and Transfer

Even after the last suture, sterility still matters. Techs may:

Pass dressings and bandaging materials
Maintain a clean, sterile field until dressings are placed
Assist with removing drapes carefully (to avoid contamination splash)

3) Instrument Handling and Transport to Sterile Processing

One of the most overlooked surgical technician job duties is post-case instrument safety:

Separating sharps and disposing per policy
Keeping instruments together by tray/system
Protecting delicate instruments (e.g., scopes, micro-instruments)
Ensuring instruments are transported appropriately for decontamination

4) Room Turnover Support

Surgical techs often help prepare for the next case by:

Restocking supplies (where assigned)
Setting up fresh sterile packs
Coordinating with sterile processing for missing trays
Ensuring the room is ready for the next patient efficiently

Fast turnovers must still be safe turnovers; sterility and correctness remain the priority.

MedicalPrep provides surgical technology education designed around the practical workflow of the operating room, so you don’t just learn definitions; you learn how to set up cases, maintain sterility, recognize instruments, and function effectively in a surgical team environment.

Core Skills Behind Surgical Technician Job Duties

A surgical tech’s duties depend on technical and behavioral competencies. Employers typically look for:

Sterile Technique and Infection Prevention

Aseptic technique discipline
Awareness of contamination risk points
Ability to maintain sterility under pressure

Instrument Knowledge

Names, categories, and functions of instruments
Ability to recognize instruments quickly
Familiarity with surgeon preferences and service-line needs

Communication and Teamwork

Clear, calm communication in a high-stakes environment
Ability to receive and confirm requests quickly
Professional coordination with surgeons, nurses, and anesthesia

Organization and Efficiency

Logical back table and Mayo stand setup
Ability to keep the field clean and controlled
Effective time and supply management

Focus and Composure

Attention to detail during long or complex cases
Consistent safety habits, even during routine procedures
Ability to handle urgent moments without panic

Surgical Technician Job Duties by Specialty: How the Work Changes Across Service Lines

While the fundamentals stay the same, the day-to-day reality can vary by specialty.

Orthopedics

More implants and specialized instrumentation
Power tools, saws, drills, and orthopedic trays
High emphasis on correct implant readiness and handling

OB/GYN

Common procedures like C-sections, hysterectomies, and laparoscopy
Rapid response needs in emergent deliveries
High turnover and frequent case variety

General Surgery

Broad case mix: gallbladders, hernias, appendectomies, bowel cases
Strong emphasis on adaptability and instrument familiarity

Neurosurgery

Highly specialized instruments and delicate tissue handling
Longer procedures; strong focus on precision and organization

Cardiovascular

Complex setups and high acuity
Advanced equipment and strict protocols

Being prepared for varied surgical technician job duties is one reason formal training and clinical exposure matter.

“Scrub Tech” vs “Circulating Nurse”: Clearing Up Responsibilities

Many people confuse roles in the OR. In general:

Surgical technologist (scrub role):

Works in the sterile field
Passes instruments and sterile items
Maintains sterile setup and field organization

Circulating nurse:

Works outside the sterile field
Manages documentation, patient advocacy, and room coordination
Opens supplies for the sterile field, handles specimen labeling, and coordinates with other departments

They work as a unit. The best OR teams function with shared awareness and respectful communication.

Common Workplace Settings for Surgical Technologists

Surgical techs commonly work in:

Hospital operating rooms (inpatient and outpatient)
Ambulatory surgery centers
Specialty surgical centers (orthopedic, ophthalmology, etc.)
Labor and delivery surgical suites (C-sections)
Endoscopy or procedural areas (depending on facility structure)

Each setting affects pacing and workflow, but core surgical tech job duties remain consistent.

What Employers Commonly Expect From Entry-Level Surgical Techs

Expectations vary by state and employer, but common baseline expectations include:

Understanding of sterile technique and OR etiquette
Comfort with instrument identification and passing fundamentals
Ability to follow policies for counts and safety
Professional communication and calmness under pressure
Reliability, punctuality, and readiness for early starts and long cases
Willingness to learn surgeon preferences and service-line standards

Many facilities also value certification (where applicable) and strong clinical evaluations.

Challenges of the Role (What People Don’t Always Mention)

Surgical technology can be rewarding, but it is not “easy work.” Common challenges include:

Long periods of standing and physical demands
High responsibility: mistakes can have serious consequences
Fast pace and the need to adapt quickly
Exposure to stressful situations and urgent cases
Strict attention to sterile technique, even when fatigued

Knowing these realities helps you decide if the job fits your temperament and goals.

Conclusion: Is This Career Right for You?

Understanding surgical tech job duties is the best way to evaluate whether surgical technology is a good fit. The role is built around sterile discipline, preparation, teamwork, and precise support during procedures. You are not diagnosing or prescribing, but you are directly contributing to patient safety and surgical success every day.

If you like structured environments, hands-on work, and a team-based clinical setting, this path can be a strong option. And if you’re researching your next steps after learning about how to become a Surgical Technologist, focus on finding training that emphasizes real OR readiness, not just theory, so you can confidently step into the clinical environment.

Surgical technology is demanding, but for the right person, the daily work can be meaningful and professionally stable, especially when you fully understand the scope of surgical tech job duties and the standards expected in modern operating rooms.