ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The University of Alaska Anchorage is preparing to launch a surgical technology program that will train students for positions in the state’s health care industry that have been difficult to fill.
Graduates of the program will earn an associate’s degree in surgical technology to be able to assist surgeons with preparing the operating room and maintaining and sterilizing surgical equipment, The Alaska Public Radio Network reported (https://bit.ly/2phn6qj) on Monday.
Robin Wahto, the director of the university’s School of Allied Health, said the program was created in response to industry need in the state.
“Many of the larger institutions are currently hiring folks from outside to move to Alaska to fill those positions,” Wahto said. “So, we obviously want to be able to help fill some of those positions with people who are here in Alaska.”
Alaska will see the need for surgical technologists grow 13 percent by 2024, according to a survey from the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Several industry groups have donated money to help fund the program, including Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and Alaska Regional Hospital.
Wahto said UAA is considering accepting 12 students to start off the program “to make sure that we are producing the number of students that will be able to find employment.” The goal is to eventually expand the Anchorage-based program to other parts of the state in need of surgical technologists, Wahto said.
The program was approved by the Board of Regents last month. UAA expects to receive final approval from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities by mid-June.
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Information from: KSKA-FM, https://www.kska.org
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