Oncology Surgery Technician Career Guide

Overview

In being part of the healthcare industry, you can be provided with the opportunity to be satisfied through serving others, as well as through the earning that you can be rewarded with. There are different areas in the healthcare sector that can be pursued, depending on the specialization that you want. One of the career opportunities that can be taken into account would be being an oncology surgery technician, which will prove to be the best option if you are compassionate about taking care of patients who are suffering from cancer.

Job Duties

As an oncology surgery technician, your primary responsibility would be the provision of assistance to health care professionals like nurses and surgeons. Some of your work duties will include cleaning the area after a surgery, fixing and testing sterile equipment, monitoring blood pressure and heart rate, and preparing and positioning patients. You will be required to be engaged in direct patient care, specifically to those who has just undergone cancer treatment like radiation oncology and chemotherapy. You will also need to administer drugs that are associated with the treatment of cancer. One thing that you should take note of is that you will be working directly under the supervision of a medical professional or licensed nurses.

Career Outlook

Under this profession, you may commonly be working with special surgical groups in physician offices, hospitals, and cancer treatment centers. Your job outlook will be highly dependent on the regulations of the state at which you are working, as well as your level of education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the current rise in population will result into the increase in the demand for oncology surgery technicians.

Salary

The annual median salary of oncology surgery technicians is $43,000, according to the National Salary Trend.

Educational Requirements

To be able to gain employment in this field, there is a need for you to pursue formal education and certifications. At the minimum, there is a need for high school diploma or an equivalent level of education. Some of the courses that you should complete are those related in computer, math, science, biology, anatomy, chemistry, and health. In addition, to pursue a career in this field, there is also a need for you to be aware of the job responsibilities. If you would want to volunteer, you can visit the website of the American Cancer Society to learn more about how such can be possible.

There will be a need for you to purse certification, which will be different depending on the state at which you plan to study and work. You can begin by being a nursing student or earning a diploma as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Another option would be pursuing an online degree, which can prove to a good option if you do not have the luxury of time.