SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
ACHIEVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION

The Surgical Technology program of Iowa Lakes Community College has been recognized with a national award.

The National Merit Award is from the Liaison Council on Certification for Surgical Technologist (LCC-ST). The Spencer Campus program received the recognition for achieving a pass rate in the top 10 percent of the country for Surgical Technology programs.  In fact, the Iowa Lakes Surgical Technology program had a pass rate of 100 percent in 2003. 

The award compares students from the Iowa Lakes Surgical Technology program with students from across the nation who took the National Certification Exam.  Those who pass receive the status of Certified Surgical Technologist. 

Certification as a surgical technologist provides evidence to employers, other health care professionals and the public that the certified individual has met the national standard for knowledge in the field.   Certified individuals demonstrate mastery of a broad range of surgical procedures, aseptic technique and patient care by successfully completing the surgical technologist certifying exams. 

"Certification is a symbol of credibility and recognition of competence for both knowledge and skills in the principles of surgical technology," said Dawn E. Vinson, LCC-ST's executive director. "Congratulations to all our new Certified Surgical Technologists and to the faculty who prepared them so well for this challenge."

The Iowa Lakes Surgical Technology program's coordinator is Carol Hartig.  Dana Grafft teaches many of the surgical classes.

The program consists of 45 credits over three semesters.  It is based at the Spencer Campus of Iowa Lakes Community College.  The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs.