When the emergency case comes down you are there helping in the operating room and ultimately you are helping the patient ... that's what I like, helping the patients.

I work in the cardiac surgical area. I help the operating room staff by sterilizing instruments and gathering supplies. As far as instrumentations, you will need to learn how to use the autoclave, which sterilizes tools so that they are germfree ... There also is some computer work, so basic keyboard skills are helpful. It helps to anticipate things that are going to happen, and when they do, know what you need to do to finish the task.

This job is a great starting point of a career. Once you are in the operating room atmosphere; you begin to see the many ways to work up the career ladder, such as becoming a surgical technologist, surgical assistant, or registered nurse.

When the emergency case comes down you are there helping in the operating room and ultimately you are helping the patient ... that's what I like, helping the patients.