Rasmussen College Launches Surgical Technologist Associate's Degree Program at New Port Richey/West Pasco Campus

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla., Feb. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Rasmussen College, a regionally accredited private college, today announced the launch of its Surgical Technologist Associate's degree program at its New Port Richey/West Pasco campus with classes beginning in April.¹ The program can be completed in as few as 21 months and prepares students for a rewarding career working with medical teams and patients as a surgical technologist—one of the fastest-growing professions in the healthcare field.²

Incoming students at the New Port Richey/West Pasco campus will study and train under industry-experienced professionals to attain the necessary skills to contribute to the success of the operating room team. The program curriculum fosters a compassionate approach to patient-centered care, providing students with a thorough understanding of both the technical and communication skills needed to make a profoundly positive impact on patients' lives. To learn more about the Surgical Technologist Associate's degree program please visit: http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/health-sciences/surgical-technologist/. To learn more about this vital healthcare role, visit our blog post, "6 Reasons Becoming a Surgical Tech Is Worth It."

"It is an opportune time to expand the College's Surgical Technologist program to the New Port Richey/West Pasco area," said Dr. Christian Wright, Rasmussen College School of Health Sciences department dean. "According to a recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, educational institutions should take steps to strengthen the nation's skilled technical workforce. We're excited to help close the skills gap and meet the demand from employers in New Port Richey and its surrounding communities by graduating skilled, career-ready surgical technologists."

Surgical Technologists in High-Demand

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of surgical technologists needed across the country is expected to grow 12 percent by 2026—much faster than the average for all other occupations. In Florida alone, there were more than 1,430 job postings for surgical technologists last year, according to labor analytics firm Burning Glass. That's up more than 147 percent from the number of job postings just five years ago.

The Rasmussen College Surgical Technologist Associate's degree program provides hands-on learning in a fully equipped, simulated surgical suite. Critical skills developed in the surgical suite include proper sterilization of equipment, instrument preparation for surgery and collaboration with surgeons to ensure successful outcomes. Students also complete a surgical technologist practicum in real-world healthcare environments.

"The surgical suite at our New Port Richey/West Pasco campus will deliver a realistic, operating room setting for students to practice common procedures and tactics for handling high-pressure situations," said Staceyann Sinclair, Rasmussen College area director. "Our graduates will enter surgical technologist positions with the knowledge, skills and clinical experience to become valuable members of a high-performing surgical team."

The Surgical Technologist program is also offered with Flex Choice^®–a more flexible and affordable learning option that allows students to combine traditional courses and optional self-directed assessments. Upon graduation, students can choose to enter the workforce or continue their education by transferring their credits into the Rasmussen College Health and Wellness Bachelor's degree program.

Community Invited to Open House

The community is invited to learn more about the Surgical Technologist Associate's degree program and tour the new surgical suite at the New Port Richey/West Pasco campus during an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 9. Lunch will be provided. The campus is located at 8661 Citizens Drive, Suite 300. For more information about the open house, please contact Paul McKnight, Rasmussen College Surgical Technologist program coordinator, at [email protected] or 727-846-4909.

¹Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. hlcommission.org | 800-621-7440 

²Completion time is dependent on transfer of credits accepted and courses completed each term.

ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE:
Rasmussen College is a regionally accredited private college that is dedicated to changing lives and the communities it serves through high-demand and flexible educational programs. Since 1900, the College has been committed to academic innovation and providing the highest standard of education while empowering students to pursue a college degree. Rasmussen College offers Certificate and Diploma programs through Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's degree programs online and across its 22 Midwest and Florida campuses. A pioneer in online education, the College is helping lead advancements in innovations such as competency-based education and comprehensive student support services that help working adults advance their careers. The College is also committed to providing a positive impact on society through public service and a variety of community-based initiatives. For more information about Rasmussen College, please visit rasmussen.edu.

Contact: Hannah Ingebrand
Phone: 952-806-4660
Mobile: 651-361-0693
Email: [email protected] 

SOURCE Rasmussen College

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