NEC
L23A
Surgical Technologist
A Navy Enlisted Classification: a skill designation sailors hold in addition to their rating.
Description
Assists medical officer in carrying out surgical techniques. Provides nursing care, safety and support to patients before, during and after surgery. Selects, sterilizes and prepares instruments and materials for the aseptic environment necessary for surgery. Assists anesthetist during operating procedures in giving artificial respiration and in the use of resuscitators. Maintains surgical equipment and records. Assists with instruction, supervision, and evaluation of students and other corpsmen assigned duties relating to surgery.
Core Skills
- sterile field management
- surgical instrument preparation
- operating room setup
- aseptic technique
- surgical case support
- anesthesia equipment assistance
- surgical equipment maintenance
- patient safety checks
- operative recordkeeping
- clinical staff training
Common Certifications
- NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
- NCCT Tech in Surgery Certified (TS-C)
- Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
- Certified Healthcare Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CHL)
- CPR/BLS Certification
- Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA)
Civilian Career Paths
- SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY
- CLINICAL TECHNICIAN
- NURSING
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Accredited surgical technology program
- NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
- CPR/BLS Certification
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Training
Career Growth
- Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA)
- Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
- Certified Healthcare Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CHL)
- Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Data sourced from official Navy publications and public military occupational references. Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.