BLINN OFFERS SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION SESSIONS
The demand for surgical technologists is surging locally and nation-wide
The Blinn College District’s Surgical Technology Program invites prospective students to learn more about the program and the opportunities it offers for high-demand careers in the healthcare industry.
Blinn will host information sessions at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, and Thursday, Dec. 6, in Room 2600 of the Health Science Center Clinical Building I, located at 8447 Riverside Parkway (State Highway 47) in Bryan. The sessions will offer a description of the program, prerequisites for entry, and career opportunities following completion of the program.
Surgical technologists are essential members of the surgical care team, helping to prepare for and assist during surgery. According to the Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley, the local demand for surgical technologists is expected to increase 30 percent between 2014 and 2024, and surgical technologists can expect an hourly wage of approximately $21.12 per hour.
Surgical technologists often work in hospitals, but can work in any setting that conducts surgical procedures, including doctor’s offices, day surgery facilities, and dental offices. Blinn’s Surgical Technology Program also can provide a launching pad to other healthcare careers.
“Surgical technology is a specialized field that offers an opportunity to work in an exciting environment,” Program Director Linda Hill said. “Our students will be an integral part of a surgical team that makes an immediate difference in the lives of the people they serve."
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for surgical technologists is expected to increase 12 percent between 2016 and 2026, creating 12,600 new jobs during that span. Nation-wide, the median wage is $21.71 per hour. Texas has the nation’s highest demand for surgical technologists, with Houston and Dallas ranking among the national leaders.
Blinn’s competitive-entry Associate of Applied Science degree program includes hands-on clinical experience at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – College Station and CHI St. Joseph Hospital, and students must complete 120 surgical cases across a variety of surgical specialties prior to graduation. Students who successfully complete the program will be eligible to obtain board certification through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
The application cycle for Spring 2019 is currently open. For more information regarding Blinn’s Surgical Technology Program, visit www.blinn.edu/surgical-technology.
(COURTESY: Richard Bray, Blinn Information)