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Surgical Technology students get hands-on training at PMH
11/05/2008
Aidan Lawson is washing his hands of Pender Memorial Hospital.

As a matter of fact, he is washing his hands and all the way up to his elbows as he scrubs in for surgery as part of his hands-on Surgical Technology rotation in the brand-new Surgery and Endoscopy Center at Pender Memorial Hospital.

'I had always wanted to do something in the medical field,' said Lawson, who will complete his two-year associate's degree from Miller-Motte College in January. 'I was nervous at first, but I got used to it. You learn from experience.'

A surgical technologist is an allied health professional that is part of the operating room team. Surgical technologists set up the room for the next case and pass instruments to the surgeon during the procedure. They also monitor the surgical team to ensure everything and everyone in the area remains sterile. They work primarily under the supervision of the attending surgeon.

'A surgical tech will make life for any surgeon easier and better,' said Dr. Larry Dashow, general surgeon on the medical staff at PMH. 'A good, efficient tech can shorten operative time, which is better for the patient, because everything is ready and in the surgeon's hand when it's needed.'

At Pender Memorial Hospital, the students are exposed to a variety of general and laparoscopic surgeries such as cholecystectomy (removal of the gall bladder) and breast lumpectomies as well as various gynecology surgeries. A surgical technologist must learn each step of the operative procedure so that he or she can anticipate the needs of the surgeon.

'Dr. Dashow and Dr. Cooper have both been great and very helpful in explaining what they're doing,' said Lawson. 'The staff here has been friendly and very helpful so it makes for an easier learning environment.'

After a year and a half of coursework in basic sciences and training in a mock operating room setting, the students spend the last six months of their program doing three, eight-week rotations in real surgical situations.

Certified Surgical Technologist Tracy Penny is the clinical preceptor for the students during their rotation at PMH. She is always looking for new opportunities that will give her students a variety of experiences and help them to be well-rounded professionals upon graduation from the program.

'I just came to see the new operating rooms during the open house when the Surgery Center opened this summer and I was really impressed,' said Penny. 'I contacted them about bringing our students here and it just worked out nicely.'

'We have enjoyed having the Miller-Motte students in the operating room,' said Robin Patti, RN, Surgical Services Manager at PMH. 'It has been a privilege to be able to participate in the training of new surgical technologists and to share our experience, knowledge and beautiful new facility with them.'

As for Lawson, he already has his career goals for after graduation mapped out.

'I just want to get as many experiences and cases as possible to work my way up to first assistant,' he said.

If you are interested in a health care career at Pender Memorial Hospital, please visit www.pendermemorial.org.

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