Surgical technician program receives accreditation at Danville campus

National College’s surgical technician program at its Danville campus has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

The accreditation makes it easier for students who graduate from the program to get certified and find good jobs, according to Crystal McDowell, chair of the Surgical Technology Department at National College’s Danville campus.

The program started about two years ago and the first class graduated 11 students. Right now, there are 50 students in the program, but Kimberly Joyce, clinical coordinator, said it is rigorous and some students drop out.

“What (the students) do is set up each case,” she said. “They pass instruments the surgeon requests, they help the surgeon hold retractors and hold organs and do whatever the surgeon needs.”

After the operation, a surgical technician removes the medical instruments used in the procedure to be sterilized, checks on the patient’s dressing and gets ready for the next operation.

National College set up a realistic operating room so students will be familiar with the set up with a dummy patient and equipment such as an anesthesia machine.

They learn about the types of instruments used in an operating room and basic surgical techniques, along with anatomy and medical terminology and pharmacology, computer skills and English.

Joyce said students are encouraged to observe an operation to see if this is a career that interests them.

Students who have graduated from the program have found jobs in Roanoke, Danville, Roxboro, N.C., and outside of the area, McDowell said.

McDowell said the program is competitive and a limited number of students can enroll. Joyce said it takes a special person to work in an operating room because they must have drive and focus to put up with the demands it takes to perform a surgical procedure. She said some students are working with open-heart surgical teams and orthopedics.

“The ones who make it through the program are dedicated,” Joyce said.

Contact Bernard Baker at or (434) 791-7986.