Blinn College District Surgical Technology Program hosts its inaugural pinning ceremony
Program trains graduates for a high-demand field in the healthcare industry
August 6, 2019
The Blinn College District recently recognized eight new Surgical Technology Program graduates with a pinning ceremony signifying their skill, training, and dedication to patient care.
Graduates received their pins Monday, Aug. 5, at the Blinn-Bryan Campus after successfully completing a rigorous two-year program that encompasses lecture and laboratory classes as well as clinical observation and operating room experience.
The 2019 graduating class includes: C.W. Dein (Brenham), Elizabeth Katie Everitt (Bryan), Hayley Fernandez (Cedar Park), Colton Kemp (Portland), Sara Marshall (Rogers), Jason Mendez (Geronimo), Lauren Reistino (College Station), and Kayla Robinson (Brenham).
“This celebration acknowledges the commitment our students have exhibited throughout this demanding program,” said Program Director Linda Hill. “Surgical technology is a specialized field and the skills and expertise our students acquire at Blinn prepare them to safeguard the lives of the people entrusted to their care.”
Surgical technologists are an integral part of the surgical team, assisting surgeons, anesthesiologists, and registered nurses in providing care to patients in the operating room. They ensure a safe operating environment, that equipment functions properly, and that operative procedures are conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Blinn’s Surgical Technology Program features a simulated operating room complete with an anesthesia machine, surgical drapes, and an abundance of instrumentation.
In addition to their classes, Blinn surgical technology students undergo hands-on clinical experience at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center-College Station, CHI St. Joseph Hospital, and the CHI St. Joseph Medical Center, and must complete 120 surgical cases across a variety of surgical specialties prior to graduation.
“Our instructors and curriculum prepare students to enter the workforce and embark on fulfilling careers,” said Hill. “Our graduates are highly sought after by employers because they are equipped with the training to take up posts as soon as they complete the program.”
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 $47,300 per year. Texas has the nation’s highest demand for surgical technologists, and, locally, the Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley projects a 30 percent growth in the Brazos Valley between 2014 and 2024.
Surgical technologists are often employed at 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.
For more information about Blinn’s Surgical Technology Program, visit www.blinn.edu/surgical-technology.
