National Surgical Technologists Week runs through Saturday, Sept. 23. NMU offers a bachelor’s degree in clinical health science with an emphasis on surgical technology. The program coordinators are encouraging students to consider this career option. Surgical technologists serve as the behind-the-scenes “backbone” of the operating room.

Duties of the profession include surgery preparation tasks, such as sterilizing equipment and disinfecting patient incision areas. During the surgery, surgical technologists assist by handing surgeons the instruments they request, holding organs in place or using retractors. After the surgery, they help to dress the wound and transfer the patient to the recovery room.

Demand for surgical technologists is increasing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 12 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.”