A surgical technologist, also called "scrub tech," "surgical technician," or "operating room technician", is an allied health professional

Allied health professions

Allied health professions are clinical health care professions distinct from dentistry, nursing and medicine. One estimate reported allied health professionals make up 60 percent of the total health workforce...

 working as a part of the team delivering surgical care

Surgery

Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...

 in some countries. They possess knowledge and skills in sterile and aseptic technique

Aseptic technique

Aseptic technique refers to a procedure that is performed under sterile conditions. This includes medical and laboratory techniques, such as with microbiological cultures. It includes techniques like flame sterilization...

s. There are few mandatory professional requirements

Healthcare provider requisites

Healthcare provider requisites refer to the regulations used by countries to control the quality of individual healthcare workers practicing in their jurisdictions and to control the size of the health labour market...

 for surgical technologists, and the scope of practice

Scope of Practice

Scope of Practice is a terminology used by national and state/provincial licensing boards for various professions that defines the procedures, actions, and processes that are permitted for the licensed individual. The scope of practice is limited to that which the law allows for specific education...

 varies widely across countries and jurisdictions. Surgical technologist attend junior colleges and technical schools, and many are trained in military training schools.