Students who attend the South Piedmont’s Surgical Technology Open House will learn about the profession and take part in hands-on activities.
South Piedmont Community College will host an Open House event for students interested in its new Surgical Technology program at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the Old Charlotte Highway campus.
At the event, attendees will learn about the Surgical Technology career field and South Piedmont’s program. They will also be able to take part in hands-on activities and meet prospective employers.
South Piedmont’s Surgical Technology program is a new offering for spring 2024.
“Surgical technology is an exciting and in-demand career field. We are very excited to be offering this program here at South Piedmont, and we can’t wait to welcome prospective students to campus to tell them about the great opportunities that exist within the surgical technology field,” said Program Director Alli Roy.
Surgical technologists are critical members of the surgical team. They help to prepare the operating room, including selecting the surgical tools that will be needed for each surgery. They assist in ensuring the surgical environment is sterile at all times. They also must possess a deep understanding of every surgical procedure in order to anticipate the surgeon’s needs and pass the correct instrument at the moment it is needed.
Surgical technologists are in high demand nationwide. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the filed will grow by 6 percent, or about 7,700 jobs, through 2031.
The need for surgical technologists is also being felt on a local level, which is why area health care providers are hailing the creation of the program.
“Union County is experiencing a growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals, including surgical technologists, to meet the increasing healthcare needs of the population. By having a local program, the county can address its specific healthcare requirements and improve access to surgical services for residents. Furthermore, having a local program can help bridge the skills gap in the healthcare industry, attracting and retaining professionals in the region. Ultimately, establishing a partnership with South Piedmont will be key to supporting our local hospitals and healthcare facilities by providing them with well-trained professionals and fostering collaboration between academia and the healthcare sectors,” said Jennifer Sproles, nurse manager for surgical services at Atrium Health Union West.
Added Delanda Sexton, nurse manager for perioperative services at Atrium Health Union/Anson:
“I feel having a Surgical Technology program in our county is extremely beneficial for our hospital operating room, since our department actively hires qualified graduates. Since the OR has a call component, we require staff to be within 30-45 minutes of the hospital during their call timeframe. This is critical for our patients who need emergency surgeries. As we all know, most students choose a college within an easy distance from their homes, and this would most likely indicate these students would be within easy access to both Atrium Union and Union West. I am so excited about South Piedmont’s program, and I look forward to having students at to our facility for their clinical experience.”
The Open House event will take place at the Braswell Building on the Old Charlotte Highway campus, 4209 Old Charlotte Highway in Monroe.
For more information on the Open House event, contact Roy at aroy@spcc.edu
For more information on the Surgical Technology program, visit https://spcc.edu/surgical-technology/.