Pennsylvania College of Technology's surgical technology major recently earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Penn College began offering the associate-degree program in Fall 2004. The "initial accreditation" awarded by CAAHEP follows the recommendation of its Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology, which conducted a site visit at the college in late 2005. Following the three-year initial accreditation status, which requires submission of an annual report, the program will be eligible for "continued accreditation."
"Obtaining national accreditation shows that we adhere to national standards and that the surgical technologist trained at Penn College will be ready for the 'real' surgical technology world," said Dr. Thomas J. Campana, director of the college's surgical technology program.
The members of the accreditation team that visited the college cited as strengths the many clinical hours and varied experiences included in the program's curriculum; the college's campus, which they called "very conducive to student learning;" and the faculty's enthusiasm and dedication. The visitors praised Campana as organized and passionate about developing a quality program. The surgical technology major?s first graduating class will complete its studies in August.
Surgical technologists are employed mainly in operating rooms, delivery rooms, clinics and surgical centers. They also work in private surgeons' and dentists' offices. They assist with the setup of the operating room and can prepare the patient for surgery. They pass instruments, supplies and equipment to the surgeon and surgical assistants. Surgical technologists also assist the surgeon during procedures. They are responsible for all of the surgical supplies.
CAAHEP is the largest programmatic accreditor in the health-sciences field. In collaboration with its Committees on Accreditation, CAAHEP reviews and accredits more than 2,000 educational programs in 20 health-science occupations. CAAHEP is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
For more information about the surgical technology program and other degrees offered by Penn College's School of Health Sciences, call (570) 327-4519 or sende-mail .