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BROADER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SURGICAL TECHNOLOGISTS.
BETTER RETENTION RATES FOR THEIR HOSPITAL EMPLOYERS.
That’s the win/win reality of this clinical ladder.
Experienced surgical technologists represent an exceptional
value in today’s risk-averse, quality-seeking, outcome-
driven health care environment. The same expertise that
makes them an asset to hospital success, however, makes
them strong candidates for medical sales and travel
companies. By offering and supporting a Clinical Ladder
specifically for surgical technologists, OR managers have an
edge in keeping the best team members. And qualified
technologists see just where this valuable career can
take them.
A clinical ladder serves as an incentive for surgical
technologists to continually improve their knowledge, skills
and competency. It allows them to become involved with
decision-making activities and encourages holistic thinking,
broadening their view of being an integral part of the process
of surgical patient care. It gives new staff a clear picture of
how to advance in the organization. The result is a highly
skilled and knowledgeable surgical technologist with diverse
skills, both surgical and nonsurgical.
The surgery department and hospital benefit in a number of
ways. Hospital departments are constantly asked to take on
additional duties with the same amount of staff. Clinical ladders
help the surgical technologist develop multiple skills. Since
precepting, orienting new staff and providing inservice
education is usually included as part of the criteria for
reaching the top rung of the ladder, the department and the
hospital benefit from a wider pool of qualified surgical
technologists to fulfill these tasks.
Clinical ladder programs help foster positive inter-
departmental relations by giving the surgical technologists
increased visibility in the hospital. They are seen as a key
member of the hospital team that can serve as an important
source of patient care information.
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A S S O C I A T I O N O F S U R G I C A L T E C H N O L O G I S T S