East Mississippi Community College and Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden triangle have come together to offer a new program previously unavailable in the Golden Triangle.
The institutions announced a surgical technology program Wednesday. The program will begin in August, pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which meets in June. The program will include classes located at EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus and practical training at Baptist facilities. Baptist first approached EMCC about partnering on a surgical technology program in February. EMCC was concerned about a lack of space for the program, but Baptist offered space in one of its buildings. The hospital is also paying to equip classrooms and a mini operating room located in Baptist’s facility at 515 Willowbrook Rd. in Columbus.
“Certified surgical technologists are important to the Baptist Golden Triangle medical team,” said Baptist Chief Nursing Officer Mary Ellen Sumrall. “It was important for us to partner with an educational institution that was well respected and that could provide outstanding our team. We believe our partnership with East Mississippi Community College will produce first-rate surgical technologists and meet a demand for all hospitals in the region.”
Prior to going before the commission, the program has been approved by both the EMCC Board of Trustees and the Mississippi Board for Community Colleges. It will also be required to go through an accreditation process by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Representatives from CAAHEP will visit during the program’s second semester,
while students are participating in clinicals to assess the program for accreditation.
Space will be limited initially, with only 10 places available due to standards for student-instructor ratio. An additional instructor may be added at a later date, allowing for more students.
No students will be accepted into the program until its approval by the SACS Commission on Colleges, but those interested are encouraged to enroll at EMCC in advance. Those interested are also encouraged to email Director and instructor Janan Rush for information on program application packets. Rush can be reached at jrush2@eastms.edu or 662-243-1767.
Surgical technologists are responsible for assisting surgeons, nurses and anesthesiologists during operations, as well as being charged with ensuring there are no breaks in sterile technique, handling specimens and being the patient’s advocate during procedures.
According to Salary.com, the median annual average salary for a surgical technologist is $44,209, with a range between $39,721 and $49,248.