# The Case for Investing in Surgical Technologist Education

- Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/the-case-for-investing-in-surgical-technologist-education/
- Published: 2024-02-21
- Author: Charlene Farwell
- Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/)

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With an aging population and rise in chronic health conditions, demand for surgeries is rapidly increasing. As key operating room staff responsible for ensuring smooth and sterile procedure conditions, qualified surgical technologists are fundamental to healthcare delivery. However, surgical tech education currently faces capacity limitations and barriers to access that threaten workforce stability. Like registered nursing, strategic investments must be made to expand quality surgical technology training programs and enroll more students. Doing so will pay both economic and societal dividends.

## The Growing Need for Surgical Technologists

According to the 2022 report "Surgical Technologist Workforce in Peril" by the Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers (AHEFO):

- Over 90% of hospitals reported difficulty hiring enough surgical technologists last year
- 55% of surgical tech education programs had waitlists due to limited capacity
- Enrollments only increased by 2% while demand rose by 7%

This supply-demand gap will likely worsen without intervention. The U.S. Bureau Labor of Statistics projects surgical technologist jobs to increase 9% nationally from 2022-2032 – adding 25,000 positions.

| State | % Job Growth by 2032 |
| --- | --- |
| U.S. Overall | 9% |
| Pennsylvania | 11% |
| New Jersey | 8% |
| New York | 10% |

With surgeries becoming more advanced, two technicians are now often required per operating room. An estimated 5,000 additional surgical tech graduates will be needed annually to meet rising national demand according to AHEFO.

**Equipping new surgical suites and staffing them with qualified technologists is imperative for public health.** As the frontline workforce responsible for safe operating conditions, supply shortages put patients at risk.

## Barriers to Accessing Surgical Technology Education

While demand rises, surgical tech programs remain out of reach for many interested students due to barriers like:

**Strict Enrollment Caps:** With limited lab space and clinical rotation availability, less than half of applicants are admitted on average. Caps restrict access.

**Pre-Requisite Bottlenecks:** Nearly all two-year surgical tech programs require anatomy, physiology and other pre-requisite courses which also have space constraints. This creates a bottleneck.

**Costs:** Average annual tuition exceeds $4,000 for in-state public college programs. Textbooks, equipment and living expenses drive up costs further.

**Student Loan Debt:** 85% of surgical technology students take out loans averaging $16,000. Higher debt burden impacts enrollment and graduation rates.

**Lack of Exposure:** With most high school students unaware of this career option, few initially consider pursuing it. Early recruitment efforts are minimal.

**Diversity Gaps:** Underrepresented minority groups comprise only 21% of surgical tech students nationally, despite proven health benefits from a more diverse healthcare workforce.

Without addressing these barriers through updated public policy and education models, the surgical technologist shortage will dramatically worsen.

## Reforming Surgical Tech Education to Meet Workforce Needs

"We have to reform funding models and program infrastructure to train more surgical technologists" said Dr. Patricia Dawson, Director of Healthcare Education Policy. "Increasing enrollment caps, expanding modalities like online-hybrid pathways and making costs affordable for in-demand allied health professions needs to become a priority."

Dr. Dawson suggests several potential solutions, including:

- Building additional dedicated training facilities
- Offering stackable credentials via online-on campus hybrid programs
- Incentivizing clinical rotation preceptorships
- Boosting public education funding rates
- Expanding student loan forgiveness eligibility

Proactive measures like these would enable more inclusive and cost-effective program growth.

"We know first-hand how competitive admission is right now and need to rapidly expand access at multiple stages." said Nyla Wallace, a surgical technology instructor at Lehigh County Community College. "From high school recruitment pathways, to adding pre-requisite course capacity, to creating middle-skill apprenticeship programs – we have to get creative given dramatic workforce needs."

## The Return on Investing in Surgical Technology Education

While requiring reasonable short-term investment, expanding surgical tech programs provides immense societal and economic returns including:

**Saving Healthcare Costs:** Investing $1 in prevention has been found to save $7.5 in healthcare spending on average. Appropriately staffed operating rooms prevent errors and readmissions.

**Supporting Healthcare Access:** Amidst provider shortages, ensuring adequate surgical personnel allows hospitals to operate at full capacity and benefits community health.

**Boosting Local Economies:** Allied health professionals earn middle-class wages and commonly work within the communities they trained. This spurs regional economic growth.

**Improving DEI:** Creating more seats and financial assistance opportunities facilitates diversity – cementing evidence-based enhancements to patient care and access.

**Bolstering Workforce Stability:** Surgical techs are fundamental healthcare personnel. Alleviating shortages via education investments offers protection against disruptions.

While the costs to scale and improve surgical technology programs can seem high initially, the data shows such outlays pay dividends across numerous fronts – both locally and nationwide.

## Begin an Essential and Rewarding Career Path

With excellent job security and competitive salaries averaging over $50,000 annually, surgical technology offers opportunity for upward economic mobility. As key operating room personnel, surgical techs gain immense pride assisting with procedures that improve patient health and save lives.

However, education barriers currently limit access to this essential career pathway. Strategic infrastructure enhancements and policy reforms to expand, modernize and diversify surgical technology programs are vital for community wellbeing and healthcare system functioning. The societal value far outweighs the investment required.

_If interested in an affordable pathway to begin this meaningful medical career, connect with a community college surgical technology advisor today to discuss program options and financial assistance._

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Source: [The Case for Investing in Surgical Technologist Education](https://33rdsquare.com/the-case-for-investing-in-surgical-technologist-education/)