Stories you may like

• Dental Hygienists

• Chiropractors

• Clinical psychologists

• Health Service Managers

• Nutritionists

By Nsim Team

If you want to become a Operation Theater Technologist, you first need to determine if this career path is a good fit for you. If the following description sounds like you, then you’re probably well suited for a career as a Operation Theater Technologist.

Who is an Operation Theater Technologist

Operation Theater Technologist prepares and maintains an operating theatre and its equipment, assists the surgical team during operations and provides support to patients in the recovery room. 

Job Duties

• Preparing the operating theatre and equipment required to perform surgery.

• Overseeing the smooth functioning of clinical equipment used for clinical procedures performed during surgery and post-operative care.

• Performing and monitoring safety-, health-, environmental- and quality assurance procedures on clinical equipment used in operating theatres and post-operative units.

• Assisting a Medical Specialist with therapeutic and organ system support procedures on patients in operative and post-operative care.

• Supporting Medical Specialists to handle life-support equipment in situations where patients require operative care or post-operative care.

• Positioning treatment equipment and adjusting settings and controls according to technical specifications.

• Explaining procedures, observing and positioning patients, and using protection devices to ensure safety and comfort during treatment. 

Education Needed to Become a Operation Theatre Technologist

The BLS reported that operating room technicians usually need to complete some form of formal education in the field. Many colleges and universities offer short certificate and diploma programs, though some also incorporate the training into an associate degree program. Non-traditional training options might include teaching hospitals or a branch of the military.

Operating room technology programs generally consist of 9-24 months of study. Students learn and train in classroom settings and clinical environments. Students learn infection prevention and control, sterilization techniques and proper handling of drugs, supplies and solutions. Additionally, they learn surgical procedures and how to maintain patient safety in the operating room. Common course topics include:

• Aseptic procedures
• Anatomy
• Microbiology
• Physiology
• Medical ethics

Career Prospects

Operation Theater Technologists are required across all hospitals for conduct of surgeries which include

• General Surgery

• Opthalmic Surgery

• Orthopaedic

• Gynacology Surgery

• Plastic Surgery

• ENT surgery

• Neurosurgery

• Cardio Therapy Surgery

• Spinal Surgery

• Urology etc.