The Peru Gazette

PLATTSBURGH, NY – Thanks to an innovative partnership with Clinton Community College and Mohawk Valley Community College, the University of Vermont Health Network has created a Surgical Technologist Training Pathway Program (ST) designed to prepare students to become part of the surgical team. Its launch is the latest in a series of strategic initiatives by the UVM Health Network to enhance the skills of its existing workforce and increase the overall number of healthcare professionals in Northern New York and Vermont.

“This pathway, and others like it, is aimed at providing opportunities for interested individuals to begin a career in health care and supporting our teams’ desire for professional growth while reducing our reliance on costly traveling staff,” explained UVM Health Network Director of Workforce Development Jerry Baake.

As part of the surgical team, Surgical Technologists work closely with surgeons, registered nurses, anesthesiologists and other health care professionals. Surgical patient preparation and transport, operating room set up and the organization of surgical equipment are some the technologists’ duties. Recruitment for this position has been challenging in part because Northern New York has no training programs, according to University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Associate Vice President of Human Resources Thomas Gosrich.

ST students will be dually enrolled at Clinton Community College (CCC) and Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) and benefit from a comprehensive curriculum that includes classroom learning, online education, hands-on labs, and clinical rotations within the UVM Health Network. Participation requires full-time commitment across four semesters (plus summer) offered online through MVCC and in-person classes and labs at CCC in Plattsburgh. Upon completing this 61-credit Associate of Applied Science program, graduates will be prepared to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) national exam.

CVPH is one of several Network partners that will provide clinical experiences for Surgical Technology students. “We are excited to offer this opportunity to ST students and show them how rewarding this career can be,” said Associate Vice President of Peri Procedural Services Crystal Walker said.

“The national workforce shortage has significantly impacted rural hospitals like Alice Hyde Medical Center, Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) and Elizabethtown Community Hospital. We know that recruitment on its own is not the answer. The Workforce Development initiative supports our people’s desire for growth and enables us to continue caring for patients,” explained Alice Hyde Medical Center and CVPH President Michelle LeBeau, RN, BS, MHRM, RHCEOC.

“Finding innovative ways to elevate our workforce across the Network and support our mission to care for our communities is now more important than ever,” offered Gosrich. Mohawk Valley Community College President Randall VanWagoner, Ph.D., added, “Overcoming significant workforce challenges requires collective action, and partnership is the critical lever in conceiving new training models essential for communities, organizations, and individuals to thrive. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate closely with Clinton Community College and the University of Vermont Health Network, as we are confident that this opportunity will provide individuals with a rewarding pathway to a living-wage career while also generating the essential healthcare labor force necessary to maintain the wellbeing of the region.”

Highlighting the role this partnership can have on health care in the region, Clinton Community College President John Kowal, Ph.D. said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with the University of Vermont Health Network and Mohawk Valley Community College in providing this wonderful opportunity for students to pursue the Surgical Technology Degree which will prepare them very well for rewarding careers as surgical technologists. This collaborative effort reflects the strategic priority of Clinton Community College in working with our partners to provide excellent educational opportunities for career placement. We are excited to be part of this creative approach in program delivery through a partnership with the UVM Health Network and MVCC for meeting a regional healthcare need.”

In response to the persistent national workforce shortage, the UVM Health Network continues to pioneer innovative solutions to offer affordable and accessible career advancement opportunities for current employees and job seekers. These initiatives not only reduce the Network’s reliance on expensive temporary labor but also benefit the broader healthcare systems of the region.

The UVM Health Network’s workforce development programs enable employees within the UVM Health Network to earn wages and benefits while pursuing advanced studies to further their careers – often with full tuition support or at no out-of-pocket cost. This approach provides much-needed flexibility for non-traditional learners, effectively removing the common barriers individuals often face when balancing life, work, and continuing education.

The UVM Health Network and its partners offer multiple career pathway programs for current staff and external jobseekers. A complete listing of available programs can be found online at uvmhealthnetworkcareers.org/training-programs.html.