KATIE COSEO
The Corsair
On Thursday Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in bldg. 3700 in suite 3706E the Warrington campus will have their simulation lab open to the public. Visitors will be given demonstrations and may even get to adorn a surgical gown and experience the job of surgical technicians. Surgical tech students will be there to demonstrate and explain their skills in the operating room.
Surgical Tech Week, a national recognition for all surgical techs in and out of the OR. “It’s like National Bosses day, it’s sort of a way to show appreciation for surgical techs,” explained Dr. Pat Miller-Coburn, program director at the Warrington Campus.
This program at PJC is one year and is a vocational study. Those who want to attend do not need to complete prerequisites, but will need a high school diploma or GED, and be at least eighteen years old. Only twenty students are accepted every August.
“I think it’s very high paced, but very exciting,” said Nicola Rosario a new surgical tech student who was accepted into the program after a number of years as a marine aviator.
Because many apply for the program, Rosario commented on starting on the program as, “Just exciting. Just being accepted to the program is exciting.” So far since 2004, all of the surgical tech students at PJC have past their national certification exam the first time.
Surgical Technicians are trained professionals in the operating room. “We assist the surgeon,” explained Miller-Coburn. “We are the ones that make sure the instruments and procedure is done in an aseptic manner.”
“It’s a very exciting career,” continued Miller-Coburn, who explained that even some surgeons were once surgical technicians before going to medical school. The experience from the vocation prepared them for the surgical atmosphere.