Career Tips & Advice

5 Good Traits of an ST

Concorde Staff

Concorde Staff

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Updated February 24, 2017. The information contained in this blog is current and accurate as of this date.
Surgical Technologist

The role of the Surgical Technologist (ST), on the surface, sounds simple enough. The ST handles the instruments, supplies and equipment necessary during a surgical procedure. He or she has an understanding of the procedure being performed and anticipates the needs of the surgeon. He/she has the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure and is constantly on vigil for maintenance of the sterile field.

And yet, as our Concorde on-campus and online Surgical Technologist students learn every day, being an ST is so much more than that. An ST's duties, both preoperative and during an operation, are vast and varied and way too long to list in this space. They range from positioning the patient, to providing visualization of the operative site, to participating in volume replacement or transfusions, to applying appropriate wound dressings. And that just scratches the surface.

Becoming a great Surgical Technologist requires a special person with very distinct traits. We thought we'd reach out to a couple Concorde ST Program Directors and get their opinions on what makes a great ST.

 

5 good traits of a Surgical Technologist

Denise Perez, AS, CST, Director of Concorde's Surgical Technology Programs in Jacksonville, FL, listed her five top traits any great Surgical Tech should possess.

  1. Anticipation skills. A good Surgical Technologist knows what the Surgeon needs before they ask
  2. Reliability. Patients and staff rely on dedication and someone who is passionate about their job
  3. Calm nature. Works well under pressure
  4. Outstanding dexterity. Ability to pass instruments, retract and complete a multitude of tasks during surgery which must be done with focus
  5. Team player. Surgery requires an ST to work with multiple disciplines such as an RN, anesthesiologist, radiology, multiple surgeons, etc. and is very dependent on the ability to work efficiently and effectively.

 

5 more good traits of a Surgical Technologist

Marsha Buchanan, Director of Concorde's Surgical Technology Program in San Bernardino, CA, was more succinct in her assessment of five key traits an ST must have.

  1. Integrity
  2. Accountability
  3. Honesty
  4. Dependability
  5. A sense of humor

That last trait might be most important of all. An ST will find him or herself in a lot of heavy, life-or-death situations, and the pressure is intense. Sometimes, it will take a moment or two of levity to release some of that pressure so that you may press on and successfully complete the job.

If you think you have some or all of these traits, perhaps a career as a Certified Surgical Technologist is for you. If so, go to our website and check out our surgical tech programs. It could be the first step toward moving to an exciting, fast-paced and rewarding career in health care!

Take The Next Step Towards a Brighter Future

Interested in learning more about our Surgical Technology program? We have a Concorde representative ready to talk about what matters most to you. Get answers about start dates, curriculum, financial aid, scholarships and more!

  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.