Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 1, 1990 TAG: 9003310484
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The new Operating Room Technicians Program, started by one of the hospital's registered nurses, trains future technicians in instrumentation, anatomy, sterilization and various procedures.
"There's been a shortage in those seeking employment in health related careers," said spokeswoman Lelia McCormick.
"Our innovative program is intended to attract people to this line of work."
Initiated by Carol Miller, clinical director of the operating room staff and a registered nurse, the program's goals consist of providing the hospital with better access to trained operating room technicians while enhancing services to patients and offering additional opportunities for people in the community.
"There's a general shortage countrywide in nursing," said Miller.
"Women have become more career oriented and are actively competing with men instead of going into teaching and nursing - which were their only options in the past."
The program started last October with a nine-week classroom instruction period that taught students by-the-book instructions on procedures, supplies and instrument types.
"I had talked about the program for approximately a year before its institution and it only took about three months to finalize," Miller said.
Miller added that the people the operating room uses are assertive, positive types who are planners in their everyday life.
She said seven people applied for the job. Only four students were chosen for the program because space and funding were limited. Three of the four already were hospital employees.
David Reese, a hospital phlebotomist, decided to enter the program because it posed a bigger challenge and will mean a pay raise upon completion.
The salary is comparable with that of a licensed practical nurse, according to Miller.
"The program is great," said Reese, 26. "And it's a stepping stone to my goal of becoming a nurse and anesthesiologist."
Eight-year hospital veteran Teresa Belote also plans to use the program as a foundation to a career as a registered nurse.
An operating room secretary for almost two years, Belote said Miller approached her about the program.
"She gave me the ins and outs and I decided I could schedule it into my life. I really like it and it's a nice challenge," said Belote, a 28-year-old Blacksburg native.
But the challenge is a big change from their past duties.
"It's overwhelming!" said Lynda Weddel, a nurse's aide and ward clerk on the fourth floor who also got into the program to prepare for nurse training. "But everyone's real supportive and helps you learn everything you have to know."
Referring to the second part of the program, a four-month on-the-job-training program, Weddel said she and the others have had to utilize their "book sense" and apply it to the actual operating room.
"The book work was fine, but learning the doctor's procedures and the speed of passing the instruments can be scary," she said.
LaVanda Simmers, the only non-hospital employee enrolled, thought the anatomy instruction was difficult but found the operating room techniques interesting.
Said the 22-year-old former retail worker: "A lot of people think it's sick to work in an operating room, but you're helping someone to get better. I get a good feeling from it."
For eight hours each day, the students have learned the tools a doctor uses in surgery and where they are placed on trays in the operating room.
Preceptors - or, as one student said, "guardian angels" - were assigned to the students to help them study and practice scrubbing, gowning and gloving. Soon the students will start taking after-hours emergency calls on their own.
The program's future depends on how successful it is and the need for additional personnel. Since the students are trained only for Montgomery Regional Hospital and must work there for two years according to their contracts, the need may change.
Said hospital Administrator Robert D. Fraraccio, "The cost of the program, which costs roughly $6,000 for instruction time and supplies plus employee salaries, compares favorably to recruiting a staff through advertising and recruitment fees. And the reports I'm hearing about it are good."
"In the end it's a good deal," he said.
by CNB