WDT students celebrate Surgical Technologists Week
Students at Western Dakota Tech were treated to a special breakfast this morning to celebrate National Surgical Technologists Week.
The celebration is spearheaded by the Association of Surgical Technologists and is recognized nationally. Across the country, hospitals and other healthcare facilities throw small celebrations to show appreciation for surgical technologists.
"National Surgical Technologists Week is a time of recognition for the hard-working technologists who work tirelessly from behind the mask," said Tiffany Howe, Program Director for Surgical Technology at WDT.
As direct patient care advocates, surgical technologists play an important role in the healthcare industry. Surgical technologists work closely with surgeons, nurses, and other industry professionals. They are trained to maintain a sterile and clean environment during surgery to prevent the risk of infections. Surgical technologists have a direct impact on the success of surgery and patient outcomes.
Howe said, "Everything a surgical technologist does on a daily basis reflects a promise to our patients to respect, protect, and be an advocate for them. Our motto is 'aeger primo', the patient first."
Job outlook for surgical technologists is favorable. The industry is expected to grow 30 percent from 2012-2022, which is much faster than average. Students can earn an Associate in Applied Science degree from WDT in two years. Surgical technologists earn a median pay of $20.09 per hour or $41,790 per year.
