Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Urology Technician

🎯 Role Definition

A Urology Technician (Urology Tech) supports urologists and perioperative teams by preparing patients and instruments, assisting in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (endoscopy, cystoscopy, urodynamics), maintaining sterile technique, managing urological equipment and specimens, and delivering patient education for catheter and continence care. The role requires practical clinical skills, strict adherence to infection control and documentation standards, and strong teamwork in OR, procedure room, and clinic settings.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Medical Assistant (MA)
Surgical Technologist

Advancement To:

Senior/Lead Urology Technician
Operating Room Surgical Technologist (specializing in urology)
Clinical Coordinator / Urology Clinic Manager
Registered Nurse (with bridge program)

Lateral Moves:

Endoscopy Technician
Sterile Processing Technician
Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Technologist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Prepare procedure rooms, endoscopy towers, cystoscopes, resectoscopes, lasers and ancillary urology equipment (irrigation pumps, lithotripsy instruments) ensuring devices are functional, calibrated, and safety-checked before each case.
Set up sterile fields, assemble instrument trays and disposables for cystoscopy, ureteroscopy, TURP, continuous bladder irrigation (CBI), and other common urology procedures; perform accurate sponge/instrument counts with circulating RN or scrub tech.
Assist the urologist intraoperatively and during office procedures by passing instruments, positioning scopes, adjusting camera and video equipment, providing suction and irrigation, and anticipating procedural needs to maintain efficient case flow.
Perform sterile catheter insertions and removals (Foley, straight catheter, suprapubic catheter assistance), including securement, troubleshooting leaks/blockages, and patient education on catheter care and signs of complications.
Prepare and assist with urodynamic testing (uroflowmetry, cystometrogram, pressure-flow studies) — set up equipment, place transducers and catheters, coach patients during testing, record accurate tracings and assist with preliminary interpretation or documentation.
Conduct diagnostic assistive tests such as uroflowmetry, post-void residual bladder scans (bladder ultrasound), renal/bladder ultrasound assistance, and collect urine specimens for analysis, culture or cytology with correct labeling and chain-of-custody procedures.
Clean, decontaminate and process flexible and rigid endoscopes following manufacturer and facility protocols (including leak testing, manual cleaning, high-level disinfection or sterilization), and document reprocessing in compliance with infection control and regulatory standards.
Maintain accurate, timely documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR/EHR) for procedures performed, supplies used, catheter sizes and types, irrigation volumes, specimen handling, and post-procedure instructions.
Handle pathology and cytology specimens (urine, tissue), properly label, preserve, package and transport to laboratory; ensure required forms and requisitions accompany specimens per lab and regulatory requirements.
Monitor patients’ vital signs and clinical status intra- and post-procedure as delegated, notify nursing staff or physician of abnormalities, and assist with basic bedside care and safe patient transfers/positioning.
Assist anesthesia and perioperative teams with monitoring lines, tubing management, and maintaining sterile barriers during cases involving regional or general anesthesia.
Troubleshoot common equipment malfunctions during cases (cameras, light sources, insufflators, lasers), escalate to biomedical engineering as needed, and maintain equipment maintenance logs and service schedules.
Manage supply inventory for urology clinic and procedure rooms; order implants, disposables, catheters, irrigation solutions and specialty instruments; track lot numbers and expiration dates for regulatory compliance.
Follow and enforce infection control policies (AAMI, CDC guidance), OSHA bloodborne pathogen protocols, and facility sterile technique practices; participate in quality improvement and safety huddles related to urology services.
Prepare patients for procedures by obtaining relevant clinical history, verifying allergies and medication lists, explaining procedural steps, and providing pre- and post-procedure instructions, including catheter care and wound care education.
Coordinate scheduling and communication between clinic, OR/ASC, pathology, and central sterile services to optimize patient throughput and minimize delays.
Assist with endourology-specific procedures such as laser lithotripsy, basket extraction, ureteral stent placement/removal, and percutaneous nephrostomy assistance by preparing specialized instrumentation and supplies.
Support emergency urologic interventions (gross hematuria management, irrigation troubleshooting, acute retention catheterization) with rapid setup and troubleshooting of continuous bladder irrigation or large-bore catheter systems.
Participate in training and mentoring new urology technicians, surgical technologists, and cross-training staff on urology-specific equipment, scope reprocessing, and clinic protocols.
Ensure compliance with documentation and billing capture for supplies, implants and procedures (CPT/HCPCS basics awareness), assisting clinical staff in accurate charge capture when required.
Participate in multidisciplinary rounds and department meetings to report adverse events, equipment issues, or process improvements; contribute to root cause analyses and action plans for recurring issues.

Secondary Functions

Assist with room turnover, cleaning, restocking and end-of-day decontamination tasks to maintain readiness for the next case or clinic day.
Support telehealth or triage workflows by collecting and uploading diagnostic images/reports and assisting providers with remote procedure review when requested.
Help maintain educational materials and resources for patient continence and catheter self-care, updating brochures and discharge instructions as protocols change.
Contribute to audit readiness by organizing scope reprocessing logs, equipment maintenance records, and supply traceability documentation for internal and regulatory surveys.
Participate in departmental training updates (laser safety, electrical safety, infection prevention) and maintain required certifications such as BLS.
Assist with inventory cost control initiatives by monitoring usage trends, suggesting alternative disposable options, and participating in vendor evaluations.
Support clinical research or quality improvement projects by collecting procedure data, maintaining accurate case logs, and following protocol-specific specimen handling when requested.
Provide backup coverage for front-desk or scheduling staff in small clinics during peak times or staff shortages, ensuring accurate patient check-in and procedure documentation.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in sterile technique and operative room asepsis for endoscopic urology cases, including sponge and instrument counts.
Skilled in insertion, removal and troubleshooting of urinary catheters (Foley, intermittent/straight, suprapubic) and management of continuous bladder irrigation systems.
Hands-on experience with cystoscopy and ureteroscopy workflow: scope handling, camera navigation, irrigation management, and support for laser lithotripsy or stone extraction.
Experience setting up and operating urodynamics equipment (uroflowmetry, pressure transducers, cystometry) and bladder scanners/portable ultrasound devices.
Knowledgeable in endoscope reprocessing: leak testing, manual cleaning, high-level disinfection/sterilization and documentation per manufacturer and infection prevention policies.
Familiarity with common urology instruments (resectoscopes, graspers, baskets, dilators, stent kits) and suturing/closure supplies for urology procedures.
Competent with electronic medical records (EMR/EHR) documentation for procedure notes, specimen labels, orders and supply usage (e.g., Epic, Cerner, Meditech — experience varies by site).
Basic understanding of sterile instrument tray assembly, implant handling and inventory management systems (par levels, ordering, vendor communication).
Ability to perform basic troubleshooting of OR electronics and endoscopic equipment (camera heads, light sources, insufflators), and to coordinate biomedical service when required.
Knowledge of regulatory and safety standards including OSHA, CDC infection control guidance, and joint commission requirements related to procedural services.

Soft Skills

Strong patient-centered communication: explain procedures and catheter care clearly and compassionately to adults and older patients.
Excellent teamwork and collaboration with surgeons, nurses, anesthesia and sterile processing personnel to maintain high-quality perioperative care.
Attention to detail and accuracy for instrument counts, specimen labeling, documentation and adherence to safety checklists.
Time management and prioritization skills to support multiple cases or clinic patients with efficient room turnover and supply preparation.
Problem solving and calm decision-making under pressure during urgent urology events or equipment failures.
Teaching and mentoring ability to train new staff and provide patient education on post-procedural home care.
Initiative and ownership: proactively identify process improvements, equipment needs, and safety risks in the urology service line.
Professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive patient information and intimate urologic conditions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED required; completion of an accredited surgical technologist, medical assistant, or patient care technician program is commonly required.

Preferred Education:

Associate Degree in Surgical Technology, Medical Assisting, Nursing (ADN) or related allied health field.
Certification(s) such as Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), or specialty urology certifications where offered.
Current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required; ACLS/PALS as applicable to facility.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Surgical Technology
Medical Assisting
Nursing
Medical Laboratory / Sterile Processing

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years clinical experience; many employers accept entry-level candidates with relevant training but prioritize experience.

Preferred: 1–3 years of direct urology, endoscopy, ambulatory surgery center (ASC) or perioperative experience. Demonstrated experience with cystoscopy, urodynamics, and endoscope reprocessing is highly desirable.