UAA Starting Surgical Technology Program in Response to Industry Need

The University of Alaska Anchorage is in the final stages of starting a new program that focuses on positions that assist doctors during surgery.

It’s called the surgical technology program, and the curriculum will train students for difficult-to-fill positions in the state’s health care industry.

Robin Wahto, director of UAA’s School of Allied Health, said the Surgical Technology program was created in response to industry need.

“Many of the larger institutions are currently hiring folks from outside to move to Alaska to fill those positions,” Wahto said. “We obviously want to be able to help fill some of those positions with people who are here in Alaska.”

Surgical technologists assist surgeons in a variety of ways, including preparing the operating room, ensuring equipment is working properly and by maintaining a sterile operating environment.

A survey by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development estimates the need for surgical technologists to grow 13 percent by 2024.

Read the full article here.

Source: UAA starting surgical technology program in response to industry need – KTOO