With advanced technological development in medical science and an increase in public demand, modern surgical procedures are becoming more complex and expensive. Generally, in mid-size to larger hospitals, 50% of beds are allocated to the surgical department, surgical facilities can sometimes only be an option, and serves as a central life-saving activity. The operation or surgical procedures success and failures not only influences the hospital reputation but also impacts its operations and sustainability.

1. Operation Theatre Technician: Skills, Job Role and Career
With advanced technological development in medical science and an increase in public
demand, modern surgical procedures are becoming more complex and expensive.
Generally, in mid-size to larger hospitals, 50% of beds are allocated to the surgical
department, surgical facilities can sometimes only be an option, and serves as a central
life-saving activity. The operation or surgical procedures success and failures not only
influences the hospital reputation but also impacts its operations and sustainability.
Operation Theatre Team
The operation theatre team is responsible for the well-being of the patient throughout
the
operation. The team members are:
● Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon
● Anaesthetist
● Operation Theatre Nurse
● Operation Theatre technicians
● Patient Care Attendants

2. Need for Skilled Operation Theatre Technicians or Technologists
The survey by the Health Ministry’s National Institute for Allied Health Science and the
Public Health Foundation of India in December 2012, highlighted the shortage of skilled
and qualified paramedic staff in India. It mentions India is short by 8.5 Anaesthesia and
Operation Theatre Technicians.
The number of OT technicians required in the hospital depends on the number of
operation theatres, functional hours and as well as the type of speciality. Generally, if
one OT is functional for 24 hours, then the number of technicians required is 3 per OT
table in the hospital. Most of the mid-size hospitals have 3 to 4 Operation theatres.
Skilled OT technicians not only improves the turnaround time and utilization of the
operation theatre, but also brings efficiency in the surgical team, and impacts the
patient-service quality parameters and feedback.

3. What does an Operation Theatre Technician do?
Operation Theatre Technologist or Technician staff are not only aware of advanced
equipment and instruments used in the operation theatre, but are also aware of their
optimal use on a surgical patient, and respond to a certain extent for the patient's life
and health in many ways. These technologists can also provide services in life-saving
and critical places, if need may be.
Roles and Responsibilities of Operation Theatre Technicians:
The various roles and responsibilities of an Operation Theatre Technician are:
1. Ensure working of OT equipment like anaesthesia machine, Heart-lung
machine and ventilator equipment
2. Maintenance of operation theatre records
3. Conduct regular physical verification of all the OT equipment
4. Ensure that a proper and regular supply of oxygen and suction is
maintained all the time
5. Responsible for fumigation of OT’s and their documentation
6. Ensure working of centralized oxygen piping
7. Maintenance of OT temperature and humidity as per the protocols
8. Scavenging system for removal of anaesthetic gases
9. To verify the functioning of the anaesthesia machine and breathing system
10.Checking and confirming all instruments and medicines are in stock and
loaded on the trolley for the surgery
11. Assists in the patient transfer or shifting from stretcher to the table and
also sometimes to and fro from OT to hospital room
12.Handling the C-ARM Machines during the surgery
13.Assisting the surgeon during the surgical procedure
14.Patient monitoring during pre-operative and Post-operative phase
15.Assisting the anaesthesiologist in providing drugs, IV fluids, blood
transfusion, and preparing drugs.

4. How to become an Operation Theatre Technician?
To become an OTT, all you need to have is to complete Class 12 (Science) with
Physics, Chemistry and Biology from a recognised board or university and then enrol
into Tech Mahindra SMART Academy for Healthcare. These Academies are located in
Delhi, Mohali, Mumbai and Pune, and are equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure
and expert faculty. Also, there is a placement team at each Academy that makes sure
that each student gets placement assistance after the completion of their course.
Apart from the above qualification, aspirants must also have the zeal to become a
skilled Operation Theatre Technician, such as:
● Love challenging roles, due to uncertainty associated with surgical
procedures
● Dynamic profession, since each case and patient is different
● Men of action/rather than words – “Talk with Hands”
● A team player
● Adaptability and flexibility to work long hours
● Compassion towards the patients
The other factors that contribute to become a successful operation theatre
technician are – Clinical and Pharmacological Knowledge, Infection Control Practices,
Communication Skills, Behavioural Skills, Quick and alert, Courageous, Attention in
detail or Attentive, should be able to comply with the OT Protocols and regulations
(Ethics/Dedication).

5. Operation Theatre Technician course at SMART Academies
The Operation Theatre Technician course curriculum at Tech Mahindra SMART
Academies for Healthcare is designed to provide adequate knowledge about the usage
of various diagnostic equipment such as – ventilators, monitors, and defibrillators,
C-arm etc. Also, the SMART Academies focus on the practical aspects or
hands-on-training on how to set up the operation theatre and the instrument trolleys, as
well as how to place the table, the different types of patient positioning, etc.
The OTT training will also train you to work under the supervision of experienced and
senior doctors. The training will include how to manage and control the infection policy
and procedures inside the operation theatre. Patient safety, infection control practices,
emergency pharmacology, OT documentation are also considered important modules in
this course.
The candidate who has applied for this career learns to perform examinations and tests
that help with curing the diseases in patients and also provides them with the skills that
are needed to take care of all the advanced equipment.
Operation Theatre Technician course at SMART Academies
The Operation Theatre Technician course curriculum at Tech Mahindra SMART
Academies for Healthcare is designed to provide adequate knowledge about the usage
of various diagnostic equipment such as – ventilators, monitors, and defibrillators,
C-arm etc. Also, the SMART Academies focus on the practical aspects or
hands-on-training on how to set up the operation theatre and the instrument trolleys, as
well as how to place the table, the different types of patient positioning, etc.
The OTT training will also train you to work under the supervision of experienced and
senior doctors. The training will include how to manage and control the infection policy
and procedures inside the operation theatre. Patient safety, infection control practices,

6. emergency pharmacology, OT documentation are also considered important modules in
this course.
The candidate who has applied for this career learns to perform examinations and tests
that help with curing the diseases in patients and also provides them with the skills that
are needed to take care of all the advanced equipment.
Source:
https://www.smart-academy.in/blog/operation-theatre-technician-skills-job-role-an
d-career/