Blackhawk Technical College Surgical Technology students are joined by (left to right) Dr. Tracy Pierner, President of Blackhawk; Jessica Jacobson, WIAST Board of Directors member; Sen. Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit; Heather Gray, Director of Blackhawk’s Surgical Technology program; and Jaime Ginner, Surgical Technology instructor.

On Wednesday, Sen. Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit, visited Blackhawk Technical College to tour the college’s Surgical Technology program classroom and learn more about efforts by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Association of Surgical Technology (WIAST) to encourage new legislation that would enhance the credentialing process for surgical technologists across the state.

Surgical technologists play a vital role in the operating room, possessing expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic techniques along with the managing of surgical instrumentation, supplies and medications. WIAST and the national Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) are pushing for legislation that would require healthcare facilities to verify the credentials of surgical technologists upon hire. This would include confirming that surgical technologists have graduated from an accredited surgical technology program and are certified by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

"Ensuring that surgical technologists have certification is essential to maintaining patient safety,” said Jessica Jacobson, a member of the WIAST Board of Directors, who joined Sen. Spreitzer during the tour. AST representatives as well as Dr. Tracy Pierner, President of Blackhawk, and Moira Lafayette, Dean of Health Sciences and Public Safety at Blackhawk, were also in attendance.

Currently, Wisconsin lacks laws mandating certification for surgical technologists, though many healthcare facilities prefer credentialed professionals. Several other states have enacted similar regulations, but Wisconsin has yet to advance such legislation.

Heather Gray, Director of Blackhawk’s Surgical Technology program, expressed support for the efforts by WIAST and AST.

“Requiring proper credentialing ensures that all surgical technologists meet the highest standards of professionalism. Our graduates are thoroughly prepared, and we back these efforts to establish uniform standards across the state,” she said.

Blackhawk’s Surgical Technology program is a two-year associate degree that qualifies graduates to sit for the CST exam. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for surgical technologists is expected to grow by 6 percent over the next decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations. In Wisconsin, the median hourly wage for a surgical technologist is $31.55.

For more information on our Surgical Technology program, visit blackhawk.edu/surgicaltechnology.