Army MOS · Medical
68D Operating Room Specialist
Overview
An Operating Room Specialist assists nursing staff with preparing patients and operating rooms for surgery and supports medical staff during surgical procedures. The specialist operates the centralized material service, prepares and maintains sterile medical supplies and special equipment, and assists with managing operating room suites.
Core Skills
- clinical workflow support
- equipment setup and teardown
- sterile processing and decontamination
- inventory and asset management
- checklist and SOP execution
- quality assurance and compliance
- time-sensitive task management
- team communication
- safety and infection control
- logistics coordination
Civilian Software & Tools
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- Database software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Email software
Civilian Career Paths
- Surgical Technology
- Clinical Technician
- Supply Chain Management
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
- Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
- Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A)
- Surgical Assistant: Certified (SA-C) · Funded · Promotion points
- Associate: Infection Prevention and Control (a-IPC) · Funded · Promotion points
Career Growth
- Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL)
- Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA)
- Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER)
- Tech in Surgery - Certified (TS-C)
- Certified Eye Banker - Technical (CEBT) · Funded · Promotion points
What the Work Involves
- Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
- Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
- Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing.
- Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists.
- Prepare patients for surgery, including positioning patients on the operating table and covering them with sterile surgical drapes to prevent exposure.
Related Occupations
- Surgical Assistants
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
- Endoscopy Technicians
- Medical Equipment Preparers
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: vocational training or an associate degree.
Formerly Known As (Legacy)
Retired codes that converted into 68D. Each legacy page documents the cited history.
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
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