Scrub Nurse vs. Surgical Tech: Exploring Operating Room Roles

11/15/2023

If the idea of working on a surgical team excites you, you might be exploring different types of roles within this area of healthcare. Two roles that are essential for keeping an operating room running smoothly are the scrub nurse and the surgical technician. But what’s the difference?

In California, the role of “scrub assistant” (or the person handing the surgeon tools and performing technical support tasks during surgery) can be filled by either a licensed nurse or a surgical technologist. Some surgical teams may have just one role while others may include both, depending on the hospital or healthcare organization's staffing resources and what it deems necessary for assistance.

While scrub nurses and surgical techs may share some similar duties, these two roles are in fact different in terms of the scope of their duties, their educational paths and their licensure requirements. Below we provide an overview of what each job entails and how to enter into that role in California.

What Is a Scrub Nurse and What Do They Do?

A scrub nurse is a licensed nurse who assists the surgeon in the operating room. A scrub nurse falls under the category of a perioperative nurse, who is also known as a surgical nurse or operating room (OR) nurse.

Scrub nurses’ duties include preoperative, operative and postoperative tasks that cover everything from sterilizing the operating room and surgical tools to assisting the surgeon with technical tasks during a procedure (such as collecting medical samples or administering medication) to monitoring patients’ health in the post-op phase.

Because scrub nurses are either licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) or registered nurses (RNs), they are able to perform a wider range of medical tasks than surgical technologists, particularly tasks that focus on patient care.

Here is a more comprehensive list of typical scrub nurse duties:

Sterilizing the operating room and all surgical tools
Ensuring that sanitization and safety protocols are being followed in the operating room
Reviewing patients' medical charts prior to surgery
Setting up surgical instruments and keeping them organized during the procedure
Passing surgical tools to the surgeon
Taking medical samples throughout the course of the procedure
Following the surgeon’s instructions and helping with technical procedures during surgery (e.g., applying stitches, controlling bleeding, administering medication, etc.)
Monitoring the patient's vitals and identifying potential complications during the procedure
Administering medication and treatments as needed and responding to medical emergencies
Coordinating with the surgical team to ensure quality of care for the patient

Because scrub nurses are licensed nurses, they also have the ability to provide nursing care outside of surgical units, such as in general care or other specialized units.

Keep in mind that a scrub nurse is just one type of perioperative nurse. There are also circulating nurses (registered nurses) who work outside the operating room to coordinate with the patient’s family members and the outside healthcare team.

What Is a Surgical Tech and What Do They Do?

Similar to scrub nurses, surgical technologists also assist with preoperative, operative and postoperative tasks. Their jobs are heavily focused on preparing operating rooms, sanitizing surgical equipment, managing the inventory of surgical supplies/equipment and helping surgical procedures flow more smoothly.

While surgical techs may have some interaction with patients (i.e., ensuring the patient is properly dressed for surgery and positioning them on the operating table), they do not perform tasks like recording patients’ medical histories, taking and monitoring patients’ vitals or administering medication.

Here is a more comprehensive list of typical surgical technologist duties:

Prepare patients for surgery by getting them properly positioned on the operating table and covered with sterile surgical drapes
Sterilize equipment and count sponges, needles and instruments that will be used during surgery
Self-sanitize and assist the surgical team in putting on their masks, gloves and surgical clothing
Maintain a sterile operative field during surgical procedures
Provide technical assistance to the surgeons, scrub nurses and/or anesthesiologists
Pass instruments and supplies to the surgeon and/or surgeon’s assistant, hold retractors, cut sutures and complete other tasks as requested by the surgeon
Prepare, handle and dispose of biological specimens taken for lab analysis
Oversee the inventory of surgical supplies and equipment and confirm that everything is in working order (e.g., lights, sterilizers, suction machines, diagnostic equipment, etc.)
Continually assess the condition of the OR and address needs of the surgical team and patients (such as by adjusting the position or settings of medical equipment)

Differences in Scrub Nurse vs. Surgical Tech Education Requirements

Education is a key difference between scrub nurses and surgical techs.

To become a scrub nurse, you have to become an LVN or RN and you usually need at least a few years of experience working in patient care.

In California, you can take your RN licensure exam after completing one of the following types of programs or meeting the alternative criteria:

Associate Degree in Nursing (typically takes 2-3 years, but ACC's ADN program can be completed in as little as 20 months)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or BSN (takes 4 years)
Entry-level master’s program in nursing (takes 1-2 years)
A licensed vocational nurse (LVN) 30 unit program (typically takes 18-24 months and does not result in a degree; ACC’s Vocational Nursing program can be completed in as little as 13 months)
You are a military corpsman/medic who completed RN-level education and clinical experience

In California, you can take your LVN licensure exam if you meet one of the following requirements:

You graduated from a California-approved school of vocational nursing
You have equivalent education and/or experience

See the California Board of Vocational Nursing’s website for more information about LVN requirements.

To become a surgical technologist, you will generally need to complete a post-secondary training program, such as a certificate program or a surgical tech associate degree program, as this is what employers are usually looking for.

If you want to take the extra step of being certified — passing the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam — you will need to enroll in a program that is accredited by the the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and/or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

American Career College’s Surgical Technology program is ABHES-accredited and requires all students to take the CST examination as a requirement for graduation. The cost of the CST exam is included in your tuition.

Differences in Licensure & Certification Requirements

To become a licensed nurse and ultimately a scrub nurse, you will have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) or the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) before becoming licensed in California.

To further demonstrate their knowledge and skill in the area of perioperative care, a nurse can also undergo continuing education and obtain specialized certifications such as the Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) credential or the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification (MEDSURG-BC). Certification requirements vary by employer.

As for surgical techs, there are no licensing or certification requirements in California. You do, however, have the option to become certified through the national Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination. While it is not a requirement for working as a surgical tech in this state, becoming a CST can help demonstrate your depth of knowledge and skill and help you stand out to potential employers. There may also be some employers who require certification.

Surgical Technology Program at American Career College

ACC offers a Surgical Technology program that allows you to earn your associate degree so you can pursue a career as a surgical tech. Here’s what you need to know about the program:

You can graduate in as little as 20 months.
Program is offered in a blended format that combines online coursework with in-person instruction at one of ACC’s three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario and Anaheim.
The program is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), meaning it makes you eligible to take the Certified Surgical Technologist exam.

Learn more about ACC’s Surgical Technology program and apply today!

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