In collaboration with The Hospitals of Providence, Southwest University has built a Surgical Technician program to begin training the next generation of surgical technicians.
“We are excited to welcome these students and begin training them and providing the hands-on experience they need to be successful surgical technicians,” said Christopher Chacon, Associate Administrator of Perioperative Services for The Hospitals of Providence. “This program is critically important to ensure we have the necessary skilled individuals to assist our surgeons during surgical procedures.”
The new program – two years in development – will help address the shortage of surgical technicians that currently exists in the El Paso community.
The first cohort of Southwest University students began their clinical rotation in January at The Hospitals of Providence.
During the 18-week-long clinical rotation, students will be immersed within the hospitals and trained in surgical sterilization and preparation, initial patient intake, assisting in surgical procedures and post operation assistance.
Students will have the opportunity to work alongside surgical staff and surgeons at The Hospitals of Providence in a collaborative team environment, while utilizing the skills learned in the classroom and lab settings.
“This program is essential to provide our students the necessary training and experience to prepare them for their career,” said Jeremy Burciaga, Academic Dean for Southwest University. “We look forward to seeing these students develop their training and skills and finding a successful career in healthcare.”
The Surgical Technician program at Southwest University is a 72-week degree program offering students an Associate of Applied Sciences in Surgical Technology.
“We are proud to be the largest healthcare network in El Paso and our region. With this leadership, we embrace the opportunity to help prepare the next generation of healthcare providers,” said Chacon. “With all of our educational partners, our goal is to provide students with a dynamic training experience so that they are well-prepared to care for our friends, families and loved ones.”
To find out more about the Surgical Technician program, click here.
