Written By Lori Groinus, CST, BS - Program Director, Surgical Technology, St. Cloud Campus
That’s the reaction most people have to many aspects of the world of surgery. By definition surgery is invasive and usually involves organs, bodily fluid, and inflicts pain on the patient (don’t worry - they’re anesthetized so they don’t actually feel it). So why would anyone want to spend their day taking part in that??!!! To help people, of course, and because the people who are drawn to Surgical Technology think “blood and guts” are COOL!
This can start with a fascination with the biology of the human body and a sense of awe for the amazing things the body can do. Just think of each microscopic cell in your body – they’re performing all sorts of functions right now to keep you alive and healthy. Amazing! Then, think of your organs and how they work individually and as a system. Incredible! When someone’s organs and tissues are diseased or injured, that’s when that person may require surgery and they come in contact with people like me, a Surgical Technologist.
Basically, Surgical Techs prepare the instruments, equipment, and supplies for surgeries, pass instruments and assist the surgeon during surgery. So, we are the people right there where all the action is. We retract organs and tissue, biopsies and specimens are handed to us to pass off to the nurse to get sent to lab, we get a close up, hands on experience with the insides of other people. If you are thinking to yourself “Ewww, gross!”, then you probably weren’t meant to be a Surgical Tech. We always wear full protective equipment such as gloves, gowns and eye shields, so blood and body fluid isn’t contacting our bare skin or putting us at risk for disease (even Surg Techs think not wearing gloves is gross). Also, the situations are controlled and bleeding is kept as minimal as possible.
Aside from seeing human anatomy every day there are other amazing parts of the job, too. We get to help people in such an impacting way. Even a “minor” procedure is major to the patient having it. We don’t always get to see the long term outcome of surgery but sometimes we do get to witness immediate results and everyday miracles. How can I explain the feeling of the times I helped in kidney transplants and watched as the organ filled with blood and began to function, the time I helped a surgeon sculpt an ear from the patient’s rib after a trauma, or the times I have been the very first person to carry a baby while assisting with a c-section?
I am so fortunate that I have seen these everyday miracles and now I can share this enthusiasm with my students. I am delighted when I show videos from surgeries and my students are completely absorbed and enthralled. I know that they too will find the magnificence and the miracles in the operating room; the beauty in “blood and guts”.