New Surgical Technology and Sterile Processing Labs Support Growing Student Demand
(LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA) – Students enrolled in SOWELA Technical Community College’s Surgical Technology and Sterile Processing programs are gaining expanded opportunities for hands-on learning with the completion of newly enhanced allied health laboratory spaces.
Funded through more than $316,000 in grant support, the expansion includes upgraded Surgical Technology and Sterile Processing labs designed to accommodate growing enrollment and provide students with realistic training in an environment designed to mirror real-world hospital settings. These expanded areas support interprofessional collaboration and help students develop the technical and teamwork skills required for efficient, real-world operating room workflows.
The Surgical Technology lab now features:
- Six surgical simulation areas
- 10 surgical procedure training stations
- Mannequins designed for surgical procedures with realistic simulated tissues for hands-on training
The Sterile Processing lab now includes:
- Cleaning and decontamination area with sinks and a pass-through window
- Six instrument assembly, wrapping and packaging stations
- Center core sterile storage for instruments, supplies and equipment
“These types of interactive skill simulations help reinforce knowledge and strengthen learning in allied health programs. It allows students to enter a clinical setting with more advanced skills in place,” said Amy Broussard, Surgical Technology Program Coordinator. “This builds confidence and assists the transition from practicing procedures into a real-life patient surgical environment. The students gain assurance from qualified faculty, work to improve teamwork, and lower the risk of operative errors. This ultimately enhances patient safety and the overall quality of care.”
Each station in the Surgical Technology lab is equipped with Hi definition 4K cameras that allow student skills performance recording. Faculty and students can immediately analyze the footage and review the scenario as a team to identify strengths and opportunities for growth, develop critical thinking skills, and improvement of technical skills.
The Surgical Technology program is approved to admit 20 clinical students annually each summer semester. Students can enroll at SOWELA and begin earning pre-requisite course credits in the Fall or Spring semesters. The Sterile Processing program admits 16 students annually in the Fall semester. Both programs continue to show rapid growth in response to strong regional demand for trained healthcare professionals. SOWELA’s allied health graduates are entering high-demand fields within the local and regional healthcare workforce.
The Surgical Technology program prepares students with the knowledge and skills competency required to perform duties as an entry-level surgical technologist in the surgical setting and begin a rewarding career as integral members of the surgical team. The program is a two- year, 61 credit hour program that awards an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Surgical Technology. Upon completion students have met the requirements sit for the national Certified Surgical Technology (CST®) exam.
The Sterile Processing program is a 20-credit hour course, two-semester program. It is designed to equip a sterile processing technician to decontaminate, disinfect, inspect, assemble, sterilize and store sterile supplies and reusable patient care equipment. Training is broad-based to ensure transferability of knowledge and skills to multiple healthcare settings. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS) and will have met the requirements to sit for the national Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST®) certification exam.
For more information or to apply, visit www.sowela.edu/apply. Scholarships and financial aid are available for those who qualify. Prospective students may also contact the SOWELA Morgan Smith site at (337) 421-4811 or onestop@sowela.edu.
For nine consecutive years, SOWELA has been named the No. 1 community college in Louisiana by Niche and WalletHub. SOWELA graduates rank first in the region and third statewide for highest median salaries, reflecting a strong return on investment and reinforcing the College’s role as a key economic driver for the state.
About SOWELA Technical Community College
SOWELA Technical Community College offers dynamic instruction and practical learning opportunities that prepare students to seamlessly transfer or to excel in today’s workforce. For more information, visit www.sowela.edu.