| EVMS Surgical Assistant Program |
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“Eastern Virginia Medical School's Surgical Assistant Program sets the standard for surgical assistant education in this country.” Why choose a career as a Surgical Assistant?Surgical Assistants are in greater demand than ever. The job prospects for a Surgical Assistant are expected to rise by 19% between now and 2018 according to the Bureau for Labor Statistics. It is a growing field driven by the increased number of senior citizens as the baby boomers reach retirement age. Older people generally require more surgical procedures. They will account for a larger portion of the population as 10,000 citizens in the United States turn 65 years of age every day. In addition, there is a rapidly growing shortage of General Surgeons in communities across the United States further driving the need for highly educated, trained, and skilled individuals to enter the field of surgical assisting. Why choose the EVMS Surgical Assistant Program?The EVMS Surgical Assistant program is the only pathway for individuals with a four year degree or higher with no medical training to enter the specialized medical profession of surgical assisting. It is the only accredited Surgical Assistant program that does not require individuals to be trained as a surgical technician. Students are assigned to the EVMS Department of Surgery's Surgical Resident Teams for 14 weeks. First year Surgical Assistant students conduct rotations in six surgical services. This preclinical training experience complements the knowledge and skills students obtain during the 10-month didactic phase of the program, with hands-on instruction by surgical residents and other surgical faculty. As a result of this preclinical training experience, students are prepared to enter the clinical training phase of the program with practical experience in the operating room and a strong foundation of surgical knowledge. In contrast to other accredited programs, the EVMS program manages and assigns the students' clinical placements. At the end of the 12-month clinical phase, EVMS students complete eight clinical rotations, perform the duties and serve in the role of the surgical assistant in 240 cases at the minimum, have the equivalent competencies expected of a Junior Surgical Resident, and are eligible to take the National Surgical Assistant Association's certification exam. By attending the EVMS Surgical Assistant program, individuals earn a Graduate Certificate in Surgical Assisting and become certified in 22 months. If you are a highly motivated individual interested in entering into the exciting field of surgical assisting, then EVMS is the learning institution for you. EVMS is offering student positions to individuals who are problem solvers in high-stressed situations and possess the capacity and critical thinking skills needed to be strong leaders in the OR setting. Please click on the hyperlinks for more specific information about the admissions criteria, program curricula, application and tuition.
History of the Surgical Assistant Program at EVMSSince 1964, surgeons in the Norfolk, Virginia region of Hampton Roads have trained surgical assistants. In 1981, EVMS formally developed the Surgical Assistant Program as a 22-month residential academic program with 10 months didactic training and 12 months clinical training. For more than 30 years, EVMS has produced skilled and clinically competent Surgical Assistants. Graduates from our program are highly sought after for employment throughout the country. For example, our program has a cooperative recruitment and hiring agreement with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and many of our students are hired by medical facilities here in the Hampton Roads area directly after graduation. Quick Facts about the Surgical Assistant ProfessionOccupational DescriptionSurgical Assistants scrub for operative procedures, assist in the positioning of patients, and assist in draping and preparation of the operative site. During procedures, the SA retracts and exposes the operative field and assists in securing the best possible exposure of the anatomical site. With experience, the SA learns to anticipate the moves and needs of the surgeon. The seasoned SA is an expert in surgical procedures and surgical techniques. Employment & SalaryCertified Surgical Assistants are employed by hospitals, individual surgeons, surgical groups, surgical assisting companies, and work as private contractors. National data from the National Surgical Assistant Association on wages for the Certified Surgical Assistant reports a starting pay range in the hospital setting at $50,000 annually and salaries can increase up to $150,000 annually in the private sector. It is important to note that all of our graduates have successfully secured employment at various medical facilities around the country. About Our ProgramCandidates who are accepted into our nationally accredited residential program (CAAHEP) must have a four year degree or higher. They complete 22 months of training, which includes 10 months of didactic instruction and 12 months of clinical training. 
With experience, the surgical assistant learns to anticipate the needs of the surgeon as the operative procedure progresses.
All classes during the didactic year are held on the EVMS campus. While the class schedule varies, courses are typically held between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The preclinical didactic training is conducted in our simulation skill centers. These centers afford students the opportunity to develop, practice, and master their skill sets in an instructional directed environment. Second-year clinical rotations are conducted in regional tertiary facilities including the hospitals of Sentara Health System, Bon Secours Health System, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, and Riverside Regional Medical Center. With the amount of travel required in order to get to the various locations for clinical rotations, it is imperative that students have reliable transportation. Students are exposed to specialty rotations in the areas of plastic, vascular, cardiac, trauma, obstetrics/gynecology, and orthopedic surgery. Students in our program also have the opportunity to conduct clinical training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Additionally, students may set up rotations in other states and their home communities. These rotations provide students with more than 1,500 hours of hands-on practical experience assisting in surgical procedures. Rotations are typically conducted during the hours of 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Surgical assistant students are required to attend Grand Rounds with the Department of Surgery, from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. twice per month, frequently held on the first and third Fridays of each month. During the clinical year, Educational Days coincide with Grand Rounds. Second-year students are excused from their clinical sites and take part in the surgical lecture series and group or individualized study sessions. CostTuition for the 2011-2012 academic year is $13,646 per year for in-state students and $14,495 for out-of-state students. Books and supplies are not included in this fee. Students may apply for financial aid via the EVMS Financial Aid Office. Federal financial aid is not available for international students. Admission Criteria and PolicyAccepted students are required to sign a Conditions of Acceptance form and submit a $300 fee. They are expected to be in good health to withstand the rigors of the program and to strictly adhere to all rules and regulations of EVMS, as well as those of the clinical facilities where they will receive clinical training. All students must possess valid health insurance at all times while enrolled in the program, through either the school or private insurance. All applicants must be U.S. citizens or provide evidence of permanent U.S. residence. The program does not accept transfer credits. Program Completion RequirementsPrior to graduation from the program, students must have completed all coursework and clinical components with an overall "B" average, and must have received clinical evaluations rated as "Satisfactory" or better from all clinical sites prior to graduation. Students are required to submit documentation of the number and types of operative procedures in which they participated. In addition, all students must have successfully completed the EVMS exit interview process, which includes meeting all EVMS financial obligations. National Surgical Assistant AssociationUpon completion of the EVMS Surgical Assistant Program, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Surgical Assistant Association's (NSAA) Certification Exam. Graduates who pass this exam obtain the professional credentials of Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA). National Surgical Assistant Association For the past six years, 100 percent of our graduates have passed the exam on their first attempt. Additionally, NSAA reports that our graduates post some of the highest scores nationally. Application ProceduresCandidates must complete the online application, along with a nonrefundable $60 application fee, three letters of recommendation, a personal narrative statement and official transcripts of all college-level coursework. Applications will be accepted between October 1 and April 1. The EVMS SA program does not accept applications from practicing/retired physicians due to the fact that there are other pathways for these individuals to enter the surgical assistant profession. School of Health Professions The application review process takes approximately eight weeks. The Program Director will send letters to all applicants indicating the determination of the admissions review committee. The program has a capacity to admit a maximum of 24 students a year. New classes are admitted in August and students are enrolled for 22 consecutive months. For more information, contact: R. Clinton Crews, MPH |
| Last Updated on Monday, 17 October 2011 13:55 |