Getting surgical technology and equipment ready – and in the hands of surgeons at the right time – is essential to running an efficient operating room.
But there’s a big problem: There’s a dire shortage of trained professionals who know how to perform such tasks in concert with surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses. A new initiative out of Oregon wants to help mitigate that challenge.
Umpqua Community College (UCC) and the Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB) announced Thursday that they’re partnering to address the “critical” shortage of surgical technologists in Oregon. The partnership includes launching the state’s first apprenticeship program for surgical technologists with the Oregon Ambulatory Surgery Center Association.
“SOWIB is thrilled to collaborate on the development of this surgical technologist apprenticeship,” Laura Pumphrey, the apprenticeship manager for SOWIB, said in a statement. “Through extensive discussions with community partners and industry experts, it’s clear that Oregon faces a significant need for surgical technologists, and current training pathways are falling short.”
The BOLI Oregon State Apprenticeship and Training Council has approved the Health Star Surgical Technologist Apprenticeship Program, Thursday’s announcement notes.
The new initiative will especially help fill gaps in surgical technologist availability in rural areas.
“This new program brings a positive solution to Douglas County by offering an opportunity for students to gain valuable skills that support our hospital,” Russell J. Woolley, market president for CHI Mercy Health in Roseburg, Oregon, said in a statement. “This program will produce students ready to step into our health care team, which helps fill the needs of our growing health care opportunities.”
In Oregon, there are only four educational programs statewide for surgical technologists – with none available in southern Oregon. As a result, the current number of graduates is insufficient to meet the projected need of 111 annual openings, according to the data provided by qualityinfo.org.
As of May 2023, there were more than 110,000 surgical technologists working in the U.S., according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. At that time, the mean hourly wage for such professionals was $29.93 an hour, with the mean annual wage coming in at about $62,250.
California, Texas, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania employ the most surgical technologists in the U.S., with California and Texas leading this group by far.
Source: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations, according to BLS data.
Among their responsibilities, surgical techs assist with the preparation of the operating room, which could include sterilizing surgical instruments and equipment. They also make sure these tools are ready and accessible for upcoming procedures.
During surgeries, techs could pass instruments and supplies to surgeons, hold retractors or other devices, and help maintain a sterile environment.
Techs likewise play an important role in the post-surgery cleaning and restocking process.
“We now have an open door for individuals who want to pursue a career as a surgical technologist, especially within southern Oregon,” UCC President Dr. Rachel Pokrandt said of the new training program. “It allows hospitals to train local talent, allows students to earn a good wage while completing their education, and eliminates the need for them to move outside of the area.”
