A professional who performs any combination of following tasks before, during, and after surgery to assist surgical team. Responsibilities include:

• Places equipment and supplies in operating room and arranges instruments, according to instructions.
• Assists team members to place and position patient on table.
• Scrubs arms and hands and dons gown and gloves.
• Aids team to don gowns and gloves.
• Maintains supply of fluids, such as plasma, saline, blood, and glucose for use during operation.
• Hands instruments and supplies to surgeon, holds retractors, cuts sutures, and performs other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.
• Puts dressings on patient following surgery.
• Counts sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
• Washes and sterilizes equipment, using germicides and sterilizers.
• Cleans operating room.