You can think of the surgical technologist as the doctor’s main assistant during the surgical process. A surgical technologist is the third most important person in the operation room, right after the doctor and the patients themselves.

These professionals are in charge of the overall organization and hygiene of the operation room. They make sure everything is in order before the doctor’s arrival, and they help the doctor keep the environment clean and in order throughout the duration of the surgery. Which, given that certain surgical processes last dozens of hours, is no small feat.

Surgical technologists can also help with the surgery itself by performing small but important tasks. They may assist the doctor by retracting tissues from the patient, holding tools in place, and by suturing incisions after the doctor is done.

If you want to learn more about the profession, reading a surgical technologist career guide like this one may be able to help.