Surgical Tech Accredited

Northern's surgical technology program, under the direction of Sandra Kontio, has received a 10-year continuing accreditation award from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The distinction recognizes the program for complying with national standards established by the Accreditation Review Committee for Surgical Technology. It also allows NMU students to take the national certification exam, which is administered only to graduates of accredited programs.

"I truly feel that certification will soon become a requirement for employment in the surgical environment, as it assures employers that the candidate has been educated and trained with the knowledge base of an entry-level surgical technologist," Kontio said. "With the expanding role of the surgical technologist, it is very important that our graduates meet the educational, competency and legal requirements expected for all health care professionals. Our goal is not to get the students jobs, but to make them competent surgical technologists."

Kontio said Northern's program is one of 15 in Michigan to receive the CAAHEP seal of approval. The closest accredited programs are in Cadillac and Green Bay, Wis. "Our graduates are very successful at finding employment and we have students coming to study surgical technology from throughout the Midwest," she added. "Our employer satisfaction is also excellent."

Surgical technology joins five other programs in the clinical laboratory sciences department with full accreditations. They are: clinical laboratory technician; clinical laboratory scientist; clinical assistant; cytogenetics (diagnostic genetics major); and diagnostic molecular scientist (diagnostic genetics major – molecular biology).

 

 

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Updated: October 26, 2005

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