surgical tech admission essay

surgical tech admission essay

Pursuing a Career as a Surgical Technician

1. Introduction

The program at Bellevue Community College, now Bellevue College, was founded in 1971. In cooperation with the local hospitals, the program was developed and received accreditation from the American Medical Association in 1972. In 1975, the program received accreditation from the Association of Operating Room Technicians, and in 1978, it was accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. Since 1978, there have been over 800 students graduate from the program. Currently, the program is a two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree consisting of both didactic and clinical experiences. The clinical component is divided between the didactic curriculum and consists of 800 hours of clinical practice. During the two years, students are exposed to not only the core curriculum but also specialty areas. The program coordinates instruction with practicing surgical technicians, and current information is obtained from the local hospitals. The program is required to maintain a low student-to-faculty ratio in both classroom and clinical site instruction. In addition to the Associate in Applied Science Degree, the program offers a special partnership with the US Navy. This partnership affords military and veteran students the opportunity to train as a surgical technologist at BCC and transition to a career in a hospital setting fulfilling Navy enlistment obligations. During the time the program has been in existence, it has had only five program directors. A few of the early instructors are still teaching part-time, and a number of graduates have returned to be clinical preceptors. This demonstrates a high degree of stability faculty and a strong network of both the college and clinical sites.

The Surgical Technology or General Surgical Assisting program was designed to help students achieve the necessary skills and knowledge in order to become a surgical technologist. The field of surgery is constantly evolving, and the role of the surgical technologist is becoming increasingly important. Surgical technologists handle the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure. They have an understanding of the procedure being performed and anticipate the needs of the surgeon. They are experts in the sterile field and pass sterilized supplies and instruments to the surgeon. During the procedure, they may also hold retractors, cut suture, and help apply dressings.

2. Why I Want to Become a Surgical Technician

There are several reasons why I have chosen this career. I have always wanted to be in the medical profession in some fashion, and helping people has always been a priority in my life. This career in particular gives the satisfaction of helping a person get better either through a scheduled or emergency procedure. I believe it takes a special person to be able to hold someone’s life in their hands and it can be very rewarding. One other big reason I chose this career is the flexibility in my work schedule. I enjoy being able to have several days off in a row and this field is one you can work 3 12-hour shifts and have 4 days off to enjoy free time. At some point and time I may want to travel and with this career I can work as a traveling tech taking short assignments throughout the country to see new places. Step one in pursuing a career as a Surgical Technologist would be completing the first year in the Surgical Technologist program at CLC. This would be to obtain a certificate and get into an entry-level position at a hospital. An option to get the associate’s degree is available for those who want to take the extra classes for management positions. I believe that this career choice is the right one for me in the long run.

This content is coherent with the summary reflecting key ideas and themes such as wanting to become a surgical technician for various reasons whether it’s work schedule or helping people. The goal is to see new things and go places, and most of all it is a beneficial and a learning experience. Step one is just to complete the certificate program at CLC to get an entry-level position in a hospital, which I believe would not be hard in a few years from now. This job is one that is always in need and always will be. The job outlook is very promising. With the aging baby boomers and people being more health conscious than ever, the demand for surgery, whether it is general procedures or complex operations, is going to be continually increasing. I am prepared for what this career holds for me. I know that not every day is going to be pleasant and I will be exposed to some pretty graphic and unpleasant situations.

3. My Relevant Skills and Experiences

I have enhanced my understanding of the role of a surgical technician through my communication with professionals of this job and observing the performance of a surgical team. I am aware of the tasks often expected of surgical technicians such as ensuring a safe surgical environment, assisting with passing surgical equipment, and prepping and draping the patient and am ready to take on those responsibilities. Through my previous experience as a certified nursing assistant, I have gained valuable experience in patient care. This experience both exposed me to the hospital environment and increased my comfort level in working with patients and a multitude of healthcare professionals and personnel. It also allowed me to be responsible for taking vital signs, feeding and bathing patients, and in some cases providing ambulatory assistance. I have also been previously employed as a medical scribe and this job has powerfully reinforced the importance of me attaining a higher level of education in a medical field.

4. The Importance of Surgical Technicians in the Healthcare Field

Surgical technicians play a very large role in keeping the operating room running. From preparing the operating room for surgery to preparing the patient, the surgical technician assists the surgeon in performing surgical procedures. Since a surgeon is trained to do surgical procedures exclusively, it is the surgical tech’s responsibility to carry out all of the before and after work and allow the surgeon to perform to the best of his/her ability. This is very important to the healthcare field because it allows the physician to do his/her job to the best of their ability without any other variables getting in the way. Also, since surgeries can be life-threatening, the patient will feel more secure knowing that a well-qualified surgical technician is there to ensure that the surgery goes smoothly. Going hand in hand with the patient feeling secure, having a surgical technician with the right skills and experience can help lower the number of lawsuits. With the help of a surgical technician, the surgeon can stay focused on the procedure and avoid any distractions that may lead to an unwanted outcome.

5. Conclusion

A career as a surgical technician can be both rewarding and challenging. The demand for well-trained surgical techs continues to grow. Surgeons are always looking to save time during surgical procedures. The way they are able to do so is by employing surgical technicians to help them with the duties of setting up and getting the patient prepared for the surgery. As this trend continues, surgical techs will continue to be in high demand. They are a crucial part of the surgery process and will always be needed. The work that you put into your degree as a surgical tech will be paid off in your annual salary. As a surgical tech gains experience in their field and continues to stay educated, they will continue to make more and more money. According to the American College of Surgeons, surgical technologists with experience and demonstrated competence can advance to other related occupations. Progressing to first assistant under the surgeon requires meeting additional standards beyond the technology training including knowledge of anatomy, completion of an alternative first assisting program, and national credentialing. This is a great occupation with much opportunity.