Surgical Technology The surgical technologist is the person who stand elbow-to-elbow with the surgeon and passes the instruments. After the surgeon, the surg. tech. is the person closets to the actual surgery. It is his or her job to maintain a sterile environment and to respond to the surgeon's needs. 

In operating rooms there are typically few people directly involved; the surgeon, the surgical technologists, and a possible resident. It is the responsibility of the surgical technologist to be aware of all that is going on in the operating room and to make sure that sterility is maintained. A surgical technologist may also be responsible for counting instruments pre- and post-surgery, in cooperation with the circulating nurse. 

The nationwide demand for surgical technologists is expected to increase over the next few years and, in fact, faster than for other professions, due to the aging population in the United States; many who require surgical procedures to restore quality health. Hospitals will continue to be the primary employers of surgical technologists, although some surg. techs. may work in offices and clinics of physicians.