Surgical Tech Tips For Rookies🥰 (STTFR)
Hey girl heyyyy👋🏾! It’s CST Je’Diah here with a few tips for you as you begin your new journey! You’ve made it this far and you know what you are doing. But here are a few tips from my experience that can help you along the way. I hope this helps!
🔧 1. Master the Basics Cold
• Know your instrument names, counts, and setup flow like muscle memory.
• Ask surgeons what they prefer on certain cases — many have “signature” ways they like things.
🧊 2. Stay Ice-Cold in the Moment
When a surgeon starts barking:
• Keep your voice low and steady
• Move intentionally, not frantically
• Don’t match their energy
Your calmness actually forces the room to calm down. Plus we’re queens. Never let them see you out of character or sweat!
🧠 3. Learn Their Patterns
Every tough surgeon has “tells”:
• Preferred instruments
• What makes them irritated
• Where they rush
• What they hate waiting for
Once you learn this, you can prep ahead and avoid 80% of blowups.
💼 4. Advocate for Yourself Without Apologizing
Being a Black professional in a medical environment sometimes means you’re navigating:
• People underestimating you,
• You feeling pressure to be “extra perfect,”
• ORs where you might be the only one who looks like you.
A few things that help:
• Let your skill and consistency speak first — the OR notices.
• Ask for learning opportunities; don’t wait to be picked.
• Don’t shrink your personality — professionalism doesn’t mean losing who you are.
✊🏾 5. Stand Confident in Your Space
You earned that spot.
You belong in that OR.
And representation matters.
Stereotypes break every time you show up sharp, prepared, and skilled.
#surgicaltechstudent #surgicalassistant #surgicaltechstudent #surgicaltechnology #surgicaltech
Starting a career as a surgical tech can feel overwhelming, but focusing on key skills and mindset dramatically improves your success and confidence in the operating room (OR). One of the most important early steps is to deeply memorize your instruments, counts, and setup flow until these actions become second nature. This “muscle memory” ensures swift and precise preparation, which is crucial during surgery. Ask experienced surgeons about their preferred instrument setup or specific requests, as many have unique methods, helping you anticipate their needs better. Remaining calm and collected during stressful situations is equally vital. When surgeons become demanding or assertive, keeping your voice low and movements deliberate prevents escalating tension. Your composure sets the tone for everyone in the OR and helps maintain focus and efficiency. Observing and learning each surgeon’s patterns is a game changer. Identify what irritates them, when they tend to rush, their favorite instruments, and what they dislike waiting for. This insight helps you prepare proactively, avoiding unnecessary communication breakdowns or delays. For Black professionals and all surgical tech rookies, advocating for yourself unapologetically matters. Navigating assumptions or being the only person who looks like you in the OR adds pressure. Showcasing consistent skill and reliability earns respect. Don’t hesitate to seek out learning opportunities confidently and express your authentic self—professionalism includes individuality. Finally, embrace your place in the OR with confidence. Representation challenges stereotypes and builds pathways for those who come after you. Showing up prepared, knowledgeable, and self-assured breaks barriers and fosters a more inclusive surgical environment. By integrating these practical tips—mastery of instruments, emotional control, surgeon pattern recognition, self-advocacy, and confident presence—you set yourself apart as a valuable surgical tech and grow into your role with resilience and professionalism. Keep learning, stay poised, and remember that your skills and self-belief pave the way for lasting success in healthcare.
