Are Surgical Techs Allowed to Give Injections?

Surgical technologists play an essential role in the operating room, primarily managing sterile fields and coordinating surgical instruments. Despite their critical position, confusion frequently arises concerning the extent of their clinical responsibilities—particularly regarding the administration of injections. Typically, surgical technologists’ duties exclude procedures requiring independent pharmacological decision-making, such as injecting medications. These restrictions exist to protect patient safety, ensuring that only qualified healthcare professionals with the appropriate training and licensure administer invasive medications. Understanding the boundaries of a surgical technologist’s scope of practice involves examining professional standards, regulatory guidelines, and institutional policies, which collectively define and limit their responsibilities.

Typical Scope of Practice

Surgical technologists—also known as operating room technicians or scrub techs—primarily focus on maintaining sterile technique, preparing surgical instruments, and assisting surgeons during procedures. According to the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST), typical duties include sterilizing surgical instruments, setting up sterile fields, passing instruments to surgeons, and handling specimens. Surgical technologists are trained to anticipate surgical needs, ensuring efficiency and safety in the operative environment.

Medication administration, particularly injections, typically falls outside the standard duties assigned to surgical technologists. For instance, Nevada explicitly defines the practice of surgical technology as transferring drugs within the sterile field—such as passing medications to a surgeon or nurse—but clearly excludes direct injection administration by technologists (Nevada Surgical Technologist Law). Similarly, according to educational standards established by the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA), the curriculum emphasizes sterile techniques and instrumentation, deliberately excluding pharmacological interventions such as injections.

While there may be superficial overlap between certain nursing tasks and surgical technologist responsibilities, clear distinctions remain. For instance, scrub nurses possess higher-level nursing education, licensure, and training in patient assessment and pharmacology, authorizing them to administer medications—tasks surgical technologists typically cannot perform independently (Rasmussen University).

Regulatory Factors

Scope of practice limitations for surgical technologists regarding injections are governed by state-specific nurse practice acts, institutional policies, and professional accreditation standards.

State-Specific Nurse Practice Acts

States individually regulate the roles and responsibilities of surgical technologists, often explicitly prohibiting tasks that require nursing licensure. For example, in New York, surgical technologists may only perform tasks under direct supervision, explicitly excluding independent medication administration or injections (New York State Department of Health). Similarly, Washington State’s Department of Health defines surgical technologists as supervised personnel, explicitly limiting them to non-invasive tasks and excluding independent injections.

Employer Policies and Risk Management

Institutional policies often reinforce these legal restrictions. Healthcare facilities typically categorize injections as high-risk activities requiring formal nursing or physician licensure. Hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory surgical centers usually establish stringent guidelines limiting surgical technologists to non-invasive activities to mitigate liability and ensure patient safety. A Nebraska report underscored that institutions must clearly delineate these boundaries, as surgeons cannot legally delegate invasive tasks to unlicensed personnel (Nebraska Board of Nursing).

Role of Accreditation Boards in Defining Limitations

Professional accreditation bodies also enforce clear boundaries regarding surgical technologists’ scope of practice. The ARC/STSA mandates curricula that exclude invasive medication administration training. Similarly, the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification process does not include injection administration, reinforcing professional standards.

Exceptions and Possible Expansions

While injections typically remain beyond the scope of practice for surgical technologists, some limited exceptions and expansions exist under clearly defined circumstances.

Specific Settings Where Injections Might Be Permitted

In unique scenarios, such as military healthcare settings, surgical technologists receive extended training allowing them broader responsibilities, including medication administration, although these permissions are infrequent in civilian environments. According to the AST, approximately 30% of military-trained surgical technologists have expanded roles in medication administration during field operations (Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)).

Collaboration and Delegation Under Direct Supervision

Certain jurisdictions permit surgical technologists to assist with injections strictly under direct supervision and explicit delegation by licensed healthcare providers. For example, in Tennessee, surgical technologists may assist with injections when directly supervised by a physician or registered nurse, provided proper documentation and delegation protocols are meticulously adhered to (American Hospital Association). However, such arrangements are relatively uncommon and subject to stringent oversight.

Importance of Official Authorization and Training

Surgical technologists interested in expanding their responsibilities may consider advanced credentialing pathways, such as obtaining additional certifications like the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) offered by the National Healthcareer Association. However, even such credentials do not automatically override state-specific and institutional restrictions on injections, emphasizing the necessity of verifying local laws and guidelines.

Key Statistics and Data

Surgical technologists, employers, and healthcare institutions must consistently refer to local regulations, institutional policies, and professional standards before permitting expanded responsibilities.

Although administering injections typically falls outside surgical technologists’ scope of practice, clearly defined exceptions exist under explicit supervision and authorization. Professionals and employers must always verify pertinent state laws, institutional guidelines, and accreditation standards before undertaking any tasks beyond standard responsibilities.

Relevant Organizations and Contacts

• Association of Surgical Technologists (AST): (800) 637-7433
• National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA): (800) 707-0057
• Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA): (303) 694-9262
• Nebraska Board of Nursing: (402) 471-4377
• New York State Department of Health: (518) 474-2011
• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP): (727) 210-2350

While standard restrictions protect patient safety, surgical technologists interested in expanded responsibilities must pursue additional certifications, explicit authorization, and thorough understanding of applicable regulations. Always verify local laws and institutional guidelines to clarify permissible practices.