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A Career as a Surgical Technologist: The Heroes of the Operating Room

Mandl School Surgical Technologost Degree Program

When most people think about surgery, minds often turn to the surgeon or perhaps the anesthesiologist, both critical figures in the operating room. However, there’s a vital role that often goes unnoticed but is crucial for the success of any surgical procedure: the surgical technologist. These professionals are the backbone of the surgical team, ensuring that operations run smoothly, efficiently, and safely. The Surgical Technologist degree program at Mandl School offers you an opportunity to start you career in this exciting field!

If you’ve ever considered a career in healthcare but aren’t sure where to start or what path to take, a career as a surgical technologist could be the ideal option. This blog will explore what a surgical technologist does, the skills needed to succeed, the steps to becoming one, and why this career can be incredibly rewarding. We’ve ben educating the finest Surgical Technologist in NYC and beyond.

What is a Surgical Technologist?

A surgical technologist, also known as a surgical technician or operating room technician, plays a key role before, during, and after surgery. They are responsible for preparing the operating room, ensuring all necessary instruments and equipment are sterilized and available, and assisting the surgical team during procedures. Our labs offer students a real life experience and prepare you for success.

Their duties include:
Preparing the Operating Room: Surgical technologists set up surgical instruments, sterile drapes, and solutions. They ensure all equipment is functioning properly and ready for use.
Assisting During Surgery: During surgery, they pass instruments to surgeons, maintain the sterile field, and anticipate the needs of the surgical team.
Post-Operative Responsibilities: After the procedure, they assist with cleaning the operating room and ensuring that all instruments are accounted for and sterilized for future use.

Why Choose a Career as a Surgical Technologist?

1. In-Demand Career with Job Stability
The healthcare sector is consistently one of the fastest-growing fields, and surgical technologists are in high demand. As the population ages and surgical procedures become more advanced and common, there’s a steady need for skilled professionals in the operating room. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for surgical technologists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations.
2. Hands-On Experience in the Operating Room
If you’re someone who thrives in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment, becoming a surgical technologist can be highly fulfilling. You’ll be in the heart of the action, playing a direct role in helping save lives and improve patient outcomes.
3. Shorter Education Pathway
Unlike many other healthcare careers, becoming a surgical technologist doesn’t require a decade of education. Most surgical technology programs can be completed in two years with Mandl School, The College of Allied Health Surgical Technologist Associate Degree Program offering a quicker pathway to entering the workforce.
4. Opportunities for Advancement
A career as a surgical technologist offers plenty of room for advancement. With experience and further education, you can move into roles such as surgical assistant, or even specialize in areas like cardiovascular surgery or neurosurgery. Some technologists transition into management roles or become educators for future surgical technologists.

Key Skills Needed for Success

A career as a surgical technologist requires a unique blend of technical knowledge, attention to detail, and soft skills. Some of the most important qualities include:
Attention to Detail: Precision is critical in the operating room, and even small mistakes can have serious consequences.
Calm Under Pressure: The surgical environment can be intense. Surgical technologists need to remain calm, focused, and quick-thinking, especially in emergencies.
Teamwork: Surgical technologists work closely with surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, so the ability to communicate effectively and work as part of a team is essential.
Manual Dexterity: Surgical technologists must have good hand-eye coordination to handle instruments quickly and efficiently during procedures.
Physical Stamina: Long hours on your feet and the need to move quickly during procedures mean physical stamina is important for this role.

Conclusion: A Fulfilling Career Path

A career as a surgical technologist is a perfect fit for those who want to work in healthcare but are looking for an accessible, fast-paced, and hands-on profession. Surgical technologists make a significant difference in patients’ lives every day, helping to ensure that surgeries are safe, effective, and efficient.

If you’re interested in working in the medical field but want a faster route to entering the workforce, this career offers an exciting opportunity to be part of life-saving procedures without the long years of medical school. Plus, with job stability, opportunities for advancement, and the chance to make a direct impact, being a surgical technologist is as rewarding as it is essential. Contact our admissions department for more information. We can also have you speak with our career services to learn how Mandl School can help you after graduation. Apply today here to learn more!

Healthcare is an In Demand Career! You want one?

Healthcare Careers at Mandl School

Thinking about changing your career? Looking to build upon the career you have now? Not at all sure what to do with yourself but heard Healthcare is the future? Mandl School, The College of Allied Health can help you get started. Seriously, we’ve been doing it for 100 years.

Your Healthcare Career will Make a Difference in Your Life, Your Family’s life and the lives of so many others.

Imagine going to work every day knowing you’re making a real difference in someone’s life. You’re basically a real-life miracle worker, with the ability to heal, comfort, and bring smiles to people’s faces when they need it most.  A career in healthcare is in such high demand because people are always going to need care, and as the population grows and ages, the demand only increases.

Top 5 Reasons Why Healthcare Careers are in Such High Demand:

  1. Aging Population: The world’s population is getting older, which means more people are living longer and needing healthcare services. With conditions like heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes becoming more common with age, healthcare professionals are essential to help manage and treat these conditions.
  2. Advancements in Medicine: Medical technology is advancing rapidly, leading to new treatments, procedures, and specialties. This means there’s a growing need for trained professionals who can operate advanced medical equipment, administer new treatments, and specialize in new areas of care.
  3. Chronic Illnesses: There’s an increase in chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, which require ongoing management. This means a constant need for doctors, nurses, and specialists to help patients manage their health over the long term.
  4. Global Health Challenges: Issues like pandemics, mental health crises, and public health emergencies highlight the need for a strong, adaptable healthcare workforce. Whether it’s dealing with a global pandemic or responding to natural disasters, healthcare workers are on the front lines.
  5. Diverse Opportunities: Healthcare offers a wide range of career paths—from nursing and medicine to health IT and public health. This variety attracts people with different skills and interests, leading to a constant need for new talent across the field.

In short, the demand for healthcare careers is driven by the essential nature of the work, ongoing medical advancements, and the increasing health needs of the population. It’s a field where the demand is only going to grow.  So, if you want a job that’s meaningful, exciting, and a little bit magical, healthcare is the career to start.

And Mandl School can get you started! But don’t wait…  Apply today to save your seat!

Become a Respiratory Therapist

 

Close up of female hands holding medical respiratory equipment. Man lying on hospital bed and doctor arm on blurred backgroundA respiratory therapist helps patients who are having trouble breathing. Respiratory therapists work under the direction of doctors and treat a range of patients, from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed to elderly people with lung disease. They give patients oxygen, manage ventilators, and administer drugs to the lungs.

Scope of practice

Respiratory therapists work with doctors and nurses to treat patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. In a typical day, respiratory therapists may:

  • Assist with diagnosing lung or breathing disorders
  • Evaluate patients and performing tests and studies
  • Determine appropriate therapy and treatment options with physicians
  • Analyze blood and sputum in the lab
  • Manage equipment and devices needed to help people that can’t breathe normally on their own
  • Educate patients and families about lung diseases and breathing disorders

Specializations

There are many different areas that respiratory therapists can specialize in. Some areas require extra certification or experience.

Work environment

Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, cardiopulmonary diagnostic labs, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and home health agencies; however, about 75% of respiratory therapists are employed by hospitals. They typically work 35-40 hour weeks. Depending on where they work, they may work nights, weekends, and holidays, especially if they do direct patient care in hospitals or nursing homes. Shifts can be long, and respiratory therapists typically spend most of their shift on their feet.

Becoming a respiratory therapist

Individuals interested in becoming a respiratory therapist, should be detail oriented and well organized. It’s important to have strong problem solving and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work well under pressure. High school students can prepare for the role by taking advantage of science, math, and health courses.

Higher education requirements

Respiratory therapists can choose to get a two-year associate degree. Mandl School’s Respiratory Therapist degree program is one of the only programs of its kind in the New York Metro area.  Contact us to learn more!

3 Unique Professions in Health Care

Mandl School prepares students for successful careers in the booming health care industry.

By Sarah Lozanova, for Mandl School, The College of Allied Health

 

Mandl school students

Health care professionals are in demand across the United States. It’s predicted to be one of the fastest-growing fields over the next decade.
A career is more than just a job. It’s something many people dedicate 40 hours a week — or more — to for decades. A rewarding career can be an essential component of a fulfilling life and provide financial security. Workers tend to be drawn to the health care industry because they want to help people and contribute to patients’ well-being while earning a living.

With unemployment rates at record highs, it’s important to choose a career path carefully, keeping future demand upon graduation in mind. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the health care industry will be one of the fastest-growing fields over the next decade. That’s good news for people joining the industry, as growth can lead to abundant career opportunities, more-lucrative positions and greater job security.

Health care professionals are in demand across the United States, so workers can choose from a wide selection of locations and settings. And because the industry is so varied, there are many specialties to learn about and explore.

Mandl School: The College of Allied Health in New York City offers programs in numerous medical specialties. The programs combine classroom learning in midtown Manhattan with real-world experience to prepare students for specific career paths in the medical field. The school offers associate degree and certificate programs that range from 42 to 85 credits.

Here are three unique programs at Mandl School that train students for in-demand, highly sought-after careers.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Ultrasounds are commonly used by health care professionals to diagnose and treat a variety of health conditions. Because ultrasounds are a noninvasive way to identify ailments, their use is widespread. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the demand for trained sonographers will grow much faster than average.

Mandl School offers a 90-week, 85-credit associate degree to help technicians launch their careers. Students gain extensive knowledge in physics, disease processes, physiology, cross-sectional anatomy and sonographic techniques that are necessary to create ultrasound images. Students can then sit for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography certification examination.

Surgical Technologist

These technicians assist doctors and medical staff before, during and after surgeries. As critical members of surgical teams, they help sterilize equipment, transfer patients, clean and dress incision sites, and prepare operating rooms for patients. The job outlook is strong for surgical technologists, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

At Mandl School, the 75-week surgical technologist program consists of 62 credits. Students take coursework in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, pathophysiology and microbiology. Students then gain specialized skills in logging patients’ vital signs, handling surgical instruments, performing wound care, assisting surgeons and responding to emergencies. Students are then eligible to take the certified surgical technologist exam.

Respiratory Therapist

From premature infants to elderly patients with lung disease, a wide range of people have breathing problems. Medical professionals use several different treatment methods for such issues, including chest physiotherapy and aerosol medications. Trained respiratory therapists care for patients with breathing issues, sleep abnormalities and cardiopulmonary disorders, and job opportunities are available in many settings. Demand for trained respiratory therapists is expected to climb over the next decade.

Mandl School’s respiratory therapy program spans 75 weeks and requires 68 credits. Students first take classes in microbiology, psychology, anatomy and physiology. After that, coursework includes learning about cardiopulmonary diseases and respiratory therapies. Graduates of this associate degree program are eligible to take the test to obtain the registered respiratory therapist credential.

Mandl’s programs, which also include Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Health and Human Services, and Healthcare Administration are professionally oriented to help ensure student success. Small classes and experiential learning help open career doors in a variety of settings. Now is an excellent time to explore a career with a strong job outlook upon graduation.

For more information about health care-related programs at Mandl School: The College of Allied Health, visit mandl.edu.

 

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THE USA TODAY

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