Procedures that once required hospital settings can now be performed in outpatient surgery centers, creating new employment opportunities for surgical technologists and assistants. A recent Workcred Expert Series video episode focuses on the crucial but often unseen roles of these professionals and sheds light on how certifications support their vital roles in the industry.
For the discussion, Dr. Roy Swift of Workcred joins Robin Jenkins, CEO of the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), which provides professional certification for surgical technologists and surgical first assistants for mastery of skills related to surgical procedures, aseptic techniques, and patient care.
Jenkins shares how NBSTSA has offered certifications for surgical professionals for 55 years, emphasizing the significance that these specialists have in patient safety. Surgical technologists play an important role in assuring those operating environments remain sterile and surgeons have the necessary tools to perform procedures safely and effectively. In comparison, surgical first assistants have an expanded scope of responsibilities, providing aid in exposure and wound closure, and other intraoperative technical functions that support safe operations. Jenkins explains how NBSTSA has exams for certifications that incorporate knowledge and practical experience for these roles.
"One thing about certifications is that they measure competencies. One of the things that we hear at Workcred in general is that other types of credentials claim individuals have certain competencies, but they really don't have them," said Swift. "Certification is a much more assured process because it's very precise in how they validate competencies."
The episode also underscores how these roles are opportunities for military personnel and veterans, and for those looking to change their career direction.
Overall employment of surgical assistants and technologists is projected to grow six percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.
“This is an opportunity of growth,” said Jenkins. “This is a profession where people will be able to obtain employment if they have the right certifications that go along with education.”
Watch the KnetStream Networks video episode: “Workcred Expert Series: Promoting Quality Surgical Patient Care.”
Access additional broadcasts that detail workforce and credentialing matters, including certifications for careers in project management, and leveraging credentials for cyber threats, cleaner energy medical laboratories, construction, supply chain management, IT, and more.
