CHICKASHA – The Surgical Technology program at Canadian Valley Technology Center is one of only two such programs statewide to receive a merit award in recognition of a 100 percent pass rate by students who took the Certified Surgical Technology exam.

The award is granted by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

CV Tech has achieved the honor seven of the past eight years, a mark of true distinction, said Anita Followwill, part of a two-instructor team with Renee Lee in the program.

“The dedication and work that it takes to prepare for certification is immense,” Followwill said. “Achieving a 100 percent pass rate is something that only a small percentage of schools accomplish. We are exceedingly proud.”

Surgical technologists provide quality patient care before, during and after surgery as a critical part of the surgical team. They also develop a professional working relationship with surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses.

The exam tests students’ basic competency for safe patient care in the operating room. It is widely recognized in the health care community as the foremost credential for surgical technologists nationwide. Certification is required for employment at most health care organizations.

CV Tech’s program consists of 828 didactic hours and 528 clinical hours, though the latter is dependent upon the number of surgical procedures the student has participated in both as a first scrub and second scrub in both general surgical procedures and in specialty surgical procedures.

Additionally, CV Tech’s Surgical Technology program had an 83 percent pass rate among students last year on the Outcomes Assessment Exam (national certification). The national pass rate for this certification is 58.6 percent.