becoming ‘surg. techs’
Surgical technology students were treated to pizza, cake and soda Sept. 25 to celebrate National Surgical Technologists’ week and their progress in the program.
Moments before, students had their photo taken in front of a surgical technology exhibit they helped create. The exhibit displayed surgical technology gear such as protective gowns, face masks and medical instruments, along with pictures and diagrams of operational procedures.
Professor Anne Marie O’Shea (second from right) and her students prepare bulb syringes and lap sponges. (Photo by Lucas Rodgers) The surgical technology program prepares students to become “surg. techs” and work in an operating room as a surgeon’s assistant.
According to Professor Anne Marie O’Shea, four of the instructors of this program are DCCC alumni who completed the same program themselves years ago.
The program is accredited by the Association of Surgical Technologists, and prepares students to sit for the national certification exam.
To kick off National Surgical Technologists’ week, students participated in mock procedures in the SIM lab, such as preparing a bulb syringe and lap sponge and identifying and organizing surgical tools.
Because the students ordinarily work in separate groups, “this is the first Friday where they are all together,” O’Shea said. “ Students spend two days a week at the simulation lab: Monday and Friday.”
DCCC’s simulation lab provides students with an operation room setting where they can practice medical procedures and get a taste of what it’s like to work in a real operating room. In addition to this, students receive clinical experience and a chance to be hired by many hospitals, such as Jefferson, Taylor, Riddle, Crozer, and Brandywine, O’Shea said.
“You go to the hospital, and then you actually sit in on surgeries,” said Jena Basilio, a 22-year-old surgical technology major.
“I like blood; I like to watch surgery,” Beth Peterson, 21, said. “It’s a lot of hands on, rather than lecturing.”
Valerie Lopes, 23, explained: “The class material and class [members] are very helpful. We’ve been here four weeks and we’re already starting to come together as a unit. You don’t really notice, if you’re an outsider looking in, that surg. techs stick together.”
Upon successful completion of this course, students will receive an associate’s degree in applied science.
“My goal is to join the Peace Corps and do surgical work somewhere; it could be in Africa or India,” Anne Endrey, 50, said. “If I don’t make it there, then I would like to go on missions with doctors.”
Contact Lucas Rodgers at
communitarian@mail.dccc.edu
