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Surgical scrub technician vs technician

The differences between surgical scrub technicians and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a surgical scrub technician, becoming a technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a surgical scrub technician has an average salary of $52,701, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.

The top three skills for a surgical scrub technician include patients, surgical procedures and CPR. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Surgical scrub technician vs technician overview

Surgical Scrub TechnicianTechnician
Yearly salary$52,701$38,045
Hourly rate$25.34$18.29
Growth rate6%1%
Number of jobs40,168596,842
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age4140
Years of experience122

What does a surgical scrub technician do?

A surgical Scrub Technician can be referred to as a doctor because he/she is a committed technician who does multiple tasks like providing the surgeon with nice instruments for surgery. They provide sterile instruments to the surgeon, prepare the operating table, sterilize the instruments, and make the room neat and clean.

What does a technician do?

Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.

Surgical scrub technician vs technician salary

Surgical scrub technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Surgical Scrub TechnicianTechnician
Average salary$52,701$38,045
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $77,000Between $24,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City-San Jose, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Microsoft
Best paying industry-Telecommunication

Differences between surgical scrub technician and technician education

There are a few differences between a surgical scrub technician and a technician in terms of educational background:

Surgical Scrub TechnicianTechnician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorNursingBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Connecticut-

Surgical scrub technician vs technician demographics

Here are the differences between surgical scrub technicians' and technicians' demographics:

Surgical Scrub TechnicianTechnician
Average age4140
Gender ratioMale, 28.3% Female, 71.7%Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 4.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage13%2%

Differences between surgical scrub technician and technician duties and responsibilities

Surgical scrub technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage sterilization of field during surgical procedures, ensuring cleanliness and sanitation meet organization protocol.
  • Clamp, ligation and cutting of tissue per surgeon's directive.
  • Pass instruments, sponges, sutures, and needles to surgeons and their assistants.
  • Communicate patient status to other units including PACU, ICU, and blood bank.
  • Remain flexible to float into the PACU, same day surgery, prep room, and GI as needed.
  • Act as liaison between technical staff, anesthesia residents, MD's, CRNA's, and hospital management.
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Technician example responsibilities.

  • Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
  • Implement and manage UHF radio base stations, repeaters, and command network, effectively linking all regional headquarters.
  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Maintain numerous automate scripts to assist in managing Linux systems.
  • Manage, troubleshot and repair multiple wireless technologies including fiber optic transmission switches.
  • Install peripherals including printers, fax machines, scanners, and smartphones.
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Surgical scrub technician vs technician skills

Common surgical scrub technician skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Surgical Procedures, 14%
  • CPR, 12%
  • HIPAA, 8%
  • Surgical Equipment, 8%
  • Surgical Scrub, 6%
Common technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Diagnosis, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%

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