Jefferson State hosted an Open House event on Wednesday, Nov. 29, to celebrate the college’s new surgical technology program.

Surgical technologists prepare, maintain, monitor, and enforce the sterile field and adherence to aseptic techniques by the surgical team personnel.

St. Vincent’s Health System expressed a need for employees with this training, and Jefferson State addressed this need remarkably quickly considering the necessary construction.

“This is one more opportunity where Jefferson State is meeting the needs of the local community,” JSCC President Keith Brown said. “These are good-paying jobs, and it’s a career ladder for participants who will come through the program.”

“We are so excited about this opportunity,” said Kristin Costanzo, chief human resources executive for Ascension St. Vincent’s. “We first had this conversation (with Jefferson State) about a year ago—we couldn’t find candidates. There wasn’t a candidate pool. This partnership has been truly amazing.”

The program’s state-of-the-art laboratory space is located in the Math and Science Building on the Shelby-Hoover Campus.

Jefferson State’s Surgical Tech short certificate program can be completed in only two semesters.

Overall employment of surgical techs is projected to grow 5 percent faster than usual from 2022 to 2032. About 8,600 openings for surgical techs are projected each year in a field that has an immense shortage.

“We have the latest technology here in our newly constructed classroom and didactic lab,” said Donna Michelle Richardson, director of the Surgical Technology program. “We have signed and are pursuing clinical affiliation agreements with area hospital facilities. We look forward to growing this much-needed program not only for our students but also for area hospitals and the community.”

Learn more about the program at Jeffersonstate.edu/st or call 205-983-5222.