Operating Room Technicians provide preparation and assistance during all stages of surgical procedures, and work under the supervision of a surgeon or surgical nurse. During an operation they will work with a team of people, including nurses, anesthesiologists and surgeons.

Before a scheduled operation begins, the Operating Room Technician must assemble both sterile and non-sterile instruments and equipment that might be required, and ensure all equipment to be used is working correctly. They are also involved in preparing patients for surgery. During surgical procedures they may be responsible for monitoring the patient’s vital signs, handing instruments and equipment to surgeons, perform minor surgical tasks such as cutting sutures and holding retractors, and preparing specimens for laboratory testing. When the operation is over, they are responsible for ensuring all equipment used is cleaned, and that supplies are restocked for the next scheduled operation.

Operating Room Technicians should have good manual dexterity, be responsible and reliable, and be able to follow strict surgical and preparation protocols at all times. The operating room environment is often stressful, and the Operating Room Technician should have good stress tolerance to cope with this.