Operation Theatre Technician: A Rewarding Career Choice

Operating theatre technicians (OTTs) are a fundamental part of the operation unit team working with surgeons, anesthetists and theatre nurses etc. to ensure that every single procedure is as safe and successful as probable. The successful outcome of a surgical process relies not only on the expertise of the attending doctors and nursing staff, but also on the technical capacity, level-headedness and alertness of the operation theatre technicians. Their negligent approach can cause any significant operation to go wrong. This job profile offers an enormous career outlook but one must completely understand that this is not one of those nine to five desk jobs. It comes with a great accountability. Job Description Operating theatre technicians may act upon the following tasks: • Relocate patients to and from the theatre and wards • They give a hand in preparing the OT’s for surgery • Arrange, check, attach/detach and adjust surgical equipments • Endow the surgeons, nurses and anesthetists with technical know how • Clean and replenish the operating room with the supplies, put together instruments, and equipments as per the SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures) • Align the patient comfortably for a procedure. Individual Attributes Apart from the basic educational qualification, excellent communication and people skills are required. An eye for detail, accuracy and precision is a must. Further, ability to work under minimal supervision, erratic shifts, long hours is sought. Lastly, a healthy mind, optimistic attitude, compassion and high levels of patience and commitment are prerequisites. Training and Curriculum The institutes offer diploma level courses in this discipline which could be of two or three years. A person eager to get registered for this course must have cleared all his senior secondary/higher secondary papers completely. The core curriculum comprises of a meticulous classroom training of subjects like Anatomy and Physiology, Biomedical Science, Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology etc. Together with these, nitty-gritty of surgery, equipment operation and handling skills are also imparted in detail. A hand on training in a good hospital is also a very significant part of the program. Last of all, classes on communication skills are also structured to implant qualities like superior communication ability, self-belief, and courteousness in a person. Career Avenues Once you are qualified, remuneration and job responsibilities will depend upon your past experience and further specialist skills that you may add on. It is likely that with consistent hard work you will eventually become a senior OTT, conceivably might run a theatre unit. OTTs may work in an extensive array of areas including transplant teams, orthopedic clinics, gynecology sections, cancer units, surgery, special care baby units etc. A plethora of promising avenues are also available in research, education and training. All in all, it is a great career option.