News about Surgical Technology

Emergency Scenarios Translate to Real-Life Benefit for Students

Occupational therapy assistant student Rachel N. Zimmerman, of Pine Grove, shows physician assistant student Zachary S. Kimble, of Bellefonte (acting as a hip-replacement patient who later in the simulation would have a stroke) and other students watching how to use a “reacher” to help with dressing. Observing is Christine A. Tilburg, clinical director of physical therapist assistant.

Emergency medical services student Ian P. McClure, of Littlestown, and paramedic technician student Megan E. Bobby, of Dysart, explain the actions they would take when called to the Dental Hygiene Clinic to help a patient experiencing an allergic reaction to Novocain.

Surgical technology students simulate a laparoscopic gall bladder removal.

Around 250 students in the School of Health Sciences – an academic division that spans 11 distinct health care and allied health fields – are participating this week in a series of hands-on emergency health simulations. The school’s fourth annual Interdisciplinary Professional Event involves 24 student teams, each made up of a cross section of health disciplines, discussing and observing one another’s role in their assigned case. Students in the physician assistant major played roles of patients, whose health problems ranged from an allergic reaction to Novocain in the Dental Hygiene Clinic to a loss of consciousness in the Keystone Dining Room, and surgeries to replace hips and remove gallbladders. As “patients” moved through the health care system, they moved, with their observers, from lab to lab in the Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center. The purpose of the experience is to prepare the students to deliberatively work together as patients interact with each of them during their health care experience, with an ultimate goal to improve patient care. Also involved were 23 staff and faculty from the school, who planned and managed the event and led groups through their simulations on Tuesday and Thursday.

Students Celebrate National Surgical Technologists Week

Members of the Penn College surgical technology class of 2017 gather for National Surgical Technologists Week. Standing (from left) are Travis J. Honicker, of Coal Township; Katelyn M. Bittner, of Williamsport; Melina S. Digruttola, of Spring Grove; Kelob J. Herman, of Jersey Shore; Sydney N. Caurvina, of Portage; Cynthia M. Wilt, of Hughesville; Sarah J. Palm, of Hesston; Janell M. Remensnyder, of Alexandria; and Michael R. Harer of Williamsport. Seated front (from left) are Megan L. Hawk, of Williamsport; Daniele A. Hebert, of Mechanicsburg; Cindy M. Ruiz, of Easton; and Rebecca L. Knee, of Williamsport.

Students in Pennsylvania College of Technology’s surgical technology major joined hospitals and colleges throughout the country in celebrating National Surgical Technologists Week, Sept. 18-24.

National Surgical Technologists Week is a promotional event by the Association of Surgical Technologists to celebrate those who work in the field. This year’s theme was “Get Hooked.” To help educate others about the field of surgical technology, surgical technology students set up a display in the Madigan Library.

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Health Sciences Students Learn From One Another in Simulations

During a three-day set of emergency simulations that involved 320 Penn College students, Timothy F. Schwartzer (in hat), an emergency medical services student from Bensalem, explains to students in other health sciences majors how paramedics would begin treatment for a patient – played by a volunteer actor – who had fallen from a second-floor balcony.

Because a patient experiencing a health emergency will likely be cared for by many health care professionals with differing specialties, Pennsylvania College of Technology has taken an active approach to ensure that students understand the roles and collaboration necessary on a health care team.

The college’s School of Health Sciences took part in two recent events that involved more than 400 students in mock patient cases on its campus.

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Penn College Program Receives Merit Award From National Board

In a Penn College laboratory, surgical technology students learn to facilitate safe and effective surgical procedures.

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s surgical technology program has received the annual merit award from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting for achieving at least a 90-percent pass rate on the Certified Surgical Technologist examination between Aug. 1, 2014, and July 31, 2015.

Graduates obtaining national certification as a CST demonstrate, by examination, understanding of the basic competencies for safe patient care in the operating room. The CST credential is required for employment as a surgical technologist within many health care organizations.

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Penn College Celebrates National Surgical Technologists Week

Students in Penn College’s surgical technology major join hospitals and colleges nationwide in celebrating National Surgical Technologists Week. Front row, from left, are Michelle Acosta, Williamsport; Kelly M. Anderson, Montgomery; Kelly L. Jones, Camp Hill; Meghan E. Androsik, Perryopolis; Jessica K. McCloskey, Bellefonte; and Jon R. Tyler, Bloomsburg. Back row, from left, are Billie L. Snyder, Williamsport; Angelika Y. Goncharova, Boalsburg; Andrea L. Whitley, Nesquehoning; William A. Wyatt, Williamsport; Dezirae R. Dreese, Selinsgrove; Haley A. Rhinehart, Jersey Shore; Tiffany J. Hoffman, Troy; and Madison E. McCracken, Morrisdale.

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s surgical technology Class of 2016 is joining hospitals and colleges throughout the country in celebrating National Surgical Technologists Week, Sept. 20-26.

The occupation demands attention to detail and procedures. Surgical technologists provide care to surgical patients before, during and after surgery and are an integral part of the surgical team during surgery, working under the supervision of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of surgical procedures.

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Diagnosis: Future – Campers Examine Potential Health Careers

Bambi A. Hawkins, learning laboratory coordinator for the paramedic program, shows a camper proper hand placement to create a “seal” when using a bag valve mask to provide oxygen.

An important part of a fitness assessment, campers record one another’s blood pressure in the exercise science major.

A camper uses a laparoscopic camera and surgical tools in the surgical technology lab.

With assistance from a Penn College student, a camper positions radiographic equipment as she prepares to X-ray her smartphone.

A camper shows the results of her work in the dental hygiene lab: a model of her teeth.

Penn College’s School of Health Sciences was the destination for 30 high schoolers attending Health Careers Camp, a joint, two-day program of the college and Susquehanna Health. The camp offers students a chance to explore careers in the health care field. Students entering grades nine to 12 attended hands-on workshops Wednesday and Thursday in the college’s exercise science, paramedic technology, occupational therapy assistant, physician assistant, nursing, radiography, dental hygiene and surgical technology majors. To round out their experience, they toured Susquehanna Health’s Williamsport Hospital.

Surgical Technology Program Director Named to Accreditation Board

Scott A. Geist

Scott A. Geist, Surgical Technology Program director at Pennsylvania College of Technology, was recently appointed to the eight-member Board of Directors of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

Geist has served as an ARC/STSA accreditation site visitor since 2009. His three-year term on its Board of Directors will begin June 1.

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Emergency Scenarios Aid Students’ Real-Life Readiness

While students from other majors observe, nursing student Amanda S. Kopczick, of Mifflinburg, takes the temperature of “patient” Kristina N. Varner, of Lewisburg.

Around 250 students and employees from the School of Health Sciences participated in three days’ worth of emergency simulations on campus this week. In its third year, the exercise is known as the Interdisciplinary Professional Event and provides a unique opportunity for students and faculty from different majors within the School of Health Sciences to collaboratively care for patients.

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Small-Group Discussions Reflect Big-Picture Import of Health Care Collaboration

Whit Worman, director of Penn College's physician assistant program, facilitates a discussion that includes Kyle G. Stavinski, an emergency medical services major from Elysburg (left) and physician assistant student Kevin Z. Richardson, of Williamsport.

Scott A. Geist (left foreground), director of the surgical technology program, and Cletus G. Waldman Jr. (right-center), clinical director of radiography, engage their roundtable participants.

Heather S. Dorman, clinical director of physician assistant, lays out a scenario during the interactive exercise.

Mark A. Trueman (center), director of paramedic technology programs at the college, follows the flowing conversation.

As part of an event that spanned northeastern and northcentral Pennsylvania and involved more than 1,000 students at various locations across the region, the sixth annual Collaborative Care Summit convened at Penn College on Wednesday. Nineteen dedicated  faculty/staff facilitators from a variety of health professions, including physicians, led discussions in the Bush Campus Center among students from several colleges and universities who are pursuing studies in a wide range of health disciplines. The Collaborative Care Summit is arranged by the Northeastern/Central Pennsylvania Interprofessional Education Coalition – of which Sharon K. Waters, associate dean of health sciences, is a member. Waters coordinated the Penn College event, and co-presented the opening session with Dr. Keith Shenberger, Susquehanna Health TCMC, which brought together about 100 students from Penn College, Lock Haven University, Wilkes University and The Commonwealth Medical College. The students participated in roundtable discussions of a medical case, learning from one another how each discipline contributes to a patient’s care. “The goal of interprofessional learning is to prepare all health professions students for deliberatively working together, with the goal of building a safer and better patient-centered and community-orientated health care system,” Waters explained. “It was impressive to hear what each student contributed to the interprofessional discussion and rewarding to know our students are being prepared to work  as a collaborative team toward quality patient care.” Student participants represented 10 professions, from paramedic to pharmacy to medicine to nursing. Simultaneous events were held in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre at Marywood University, The Commonwealth Medical College, The University of Scranton, Kings College and Misericordia University.

Penn College Makes Friends, Memories at State Farm Show

Culinary arts and systems majors Brianna E. Bucklin (left), of Whitehall, and Victoria L. Zablocky, of Jersey Shore, serve vegetable-filled hush puppies and slaw to audience members.

Penn College’s exciting two- and four-year majors were on display throughout the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg (Jan. 10-17), where representatives of the Admissions Office and the college’s six academic schools entertained, educated – and even fed – the throng attending the traditional agricultural expo.

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Last updated January 19, 2015 | Posted in Admissions, Automotive, Baking, Pastry & Culinary Arts, Building Construction, Business & Hospitality, Construction & Design Technologies, Engineering Design Technology, Events, Faculty & Staff, Health Sciences, Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, Students, Surgical Technology, Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies, Welding | This gallery contains 10 photos. | Tagged as , |

Health Sciences Students Talk Team Approach to Patient Care

Tushanna M. Habalar (right foreground), learning laboratory coordinator for nursing education, was among the facilitators for Friday's interdisciplinary exercise.

Students representing nearly all of the majors in the School of Health Sciences gathered in the Thompson Professional Development Center on Friday to learn from one another as they discussed their differing roles in a medical case. The “tabletop” Interdisciplinary Professional Event is designed to help Penn College students understand the perspectives and duties of others on a medical team in the interest of holistic treatment for their future patients. The school provides its students with a hands-on IPE in the spring, when actors simulate medical emergencies across campus.
Photo by Kim A. Speicher, dental hygiene instructor

Students Celebrate National Surgical Technologists Week

Pennsylvania College of Technology surgical technology students painted a campus landmark in honor of National Surgical Technologists Week. Atop the rock, from left, are: Reda A. Vermilya, of Turbotville; Holly M. Neely, of Lebanon; Ronald M. Furr, of Sunbury; Victoria L. Candelora, of Shamokin; Ashley Holmes, of Muncy; and Chelsea E. Oldt, of Muncy. Ground level, from left: Leah M. Aldrich, of Hallstead; Emeka K. Okereh, of Williamsport; Jade E. Stover, of Jersey Shore; Rachel L. Carlson, of Blossburg; Nola C. Hitchens, of Williamsport; Margaret H. Hartman, of Leesport; Liliya S. Stefanovich, of Port Matilda; and Allison M. Fowler, of East Berlin.

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s surgical technology Class of 2015 is joining hospitals and colleges throughout the U.S. in celebrating National Surgical Technologists Week, Sept. 21-27.

The week is promoted through the Association of Surgical Technologists to recognize this important segment of the health care field. To celebrate, Penn College students painted “The Rock,” a unique campus “billboard,” and were treated to a surprise lunch to start off the week.

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The Power of an Ally: Academic Mentors Provide Another Resource for Success

Joshua I. Bobenrieth meets with his academic mentor, Karen E. Wright, a graduation assistant in the Registrar's Office.

Human services student Stacey L. French, right, praises the support of her mentor Katie L. Mackey, coordinator of commuter services, who encouraged her when she could just as easily given up.

A student faced with leaving school remains, thanks in large part to an academic mentor who went the extra mile to seek help from other staff. Academic mentors are Penn College employees who volunteer to meet regularly with students who seek guidance and moral support. Read the full story in the Fall 2014 One College Avenue.

Mirroring Their Hosts, Career Day Visitors Learn by Doing

After learning about construction materials, students from Milton Area Middle School explore Penn College student projects.

Michael K. Patterson, welding lecturer, talks about his career path from a high school student who attended a Career Day to a National Science Foundation welder in Antarctica to a metalwork artist and entrepreneur.

Students apply mortar to fabricated stone in the Construction Masonry Building.

Students use operating-room tools in surgical technology.

Students practice game programming with Microsoft Kodu.

More than 900 middle schoolers and their chaperones visited main campus Monday, attending faculty-led sessions in many Penn College majors, all to give them a taste of career options. The event, which attracted eight school districts, was coordinated by the college’s Outreach for K-12 Office.

Simulated Emergencies Help Students Hone Treatment-Team Roles

A crew deals with a kidney-stone attack in the Bush Campus Center TV lounge, preparing to transport the "patient" to the ATHS radiography lab.

An emergency response, as seen from overhead in the ATHS

A simulated angina patient, stricken in the dental hygiene clinic, talks with physician assistant and nursing students after transport to the ER.

Adam J. Miller, a Penn College instructional development specialist and pre-physician assistant student, captures a scenario on video.

Communication with the "injured"

To facilitate collaboration among various health disciplines, the School of Health Sciences staged a series of mock health emergencies on campus this week. Approximately 195 students from eight of the school’s programs – Dental Hygiene, Health Information Technology, Paramedic, Physician Assistant, Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Radiography and Surgical Technology – participated in the event as health professionals, actors and observers. The event presented an opportunity for the students to develop relationships with other health care students and a better understanding of their role. More than 50 faculty and staff members facilitated the event across three days.
Photos by Cletus G. Waldman, clinical director, radiography; and Kim A. Speicher, dental hygiene instructor