When working in the field as a certified surgical technologist, you'll most likely be in a position in which your leadership skills will be vital. As the key right-hand person to a surgeon, you're the one who needs to anticipate what the doctor will need to perform the surgery. This means you'll often have to be a keen observer. Since surgeons, like many people, have their own way of doing things, you'll have to be extremely flexible and call upon others, who might be in the operating room, to also help when necessary.
Some Necessary Skills
Some of the skills that may be required when working in a hospital operating room or even an outpatient medical facility include:
- Being extremely organized and familiar with whatever procedure you will be helping with
- Having all the supplies (even ones you may not anticipate) on hand or know where they are located
- Making sure all the instruments and equipment that will be used are sterilized
- Checking to make sure there are adequate linens and clean-up products on hand, too.
Being a Leader
As a surgical technologist, you should not be intimidated by the fact that you can take charge. Usually, you will be the person people are looking up to, especially when you are dealing with a busy medical practice or physician, who might arrive at the last minute. There's a lot of prep work that needs to be done before any surgical procedure. The room needs to be clean, as well as having supplies and instruments handy. Consequently, it's crucial that, if you are responsible for making sure the operating procedure runs smoothly, you have people to help you.
In the Operating Room
As a surgical technologist, you may be asked to be a "team" leader, so that the physician or surgeon can immediately talk to someone they know will be able to give them the instruments and other equipment they need. Also, being the "right hand" during a surgical procedure means that many people are relying on you, not only the doctor and the patient but the other staff, who are also in the operating room. Consequently, it's important not to be intimidated. Use the leadership skills you already have!
