View All News >

Central Penn College Surgical Tech program earns accreditation

“This accreditation is another affirmation of our focus on academic quality, adherence to industry standards, and career-relevant education,” said Central Penn College President Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams. “With a newly refurbished building featuring high-tech equipment, dedicated faculty members, virtual reality simulations and a vibrant UPMC collaboration, we are proud that our surgical technologist program is filling urgent workforce gaps and providing compassionate care for patients in our community as part of the local health care workforce.”

The Surgical Technology program provides Central Penn students with the knowledge and skills needed for operating room teams in hospitals and surgical centers, per a press release. The program is designed to prepare students for certification and entry into the workforce through hands-on learning via simulations and real-world clinical experiences.

In addition, the program teaches students about surgical instrumentation and basic health care skills, along with anatomy, physiology, and surgical procedures. Central Penn College offers an 11-week accelerated term schedule, allowing students to complete the program in 18 months, with an internship.

Central Penn College has partnered with UPMC and the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation to address the region’s need for surgical technologists. Students who complete the program and are hired by UPMC will be eligible to receive monthly payments toward tuition costs, leading to full reimbursement within three years of employment at UPMC facilities in central Pennsylvania.

Central Penn College also offers individualized financial aid packages, a housing scholarship for qualifying students for on-campus housing, and a “2+2 Healthcare Management Pathway” allowing graduates with an associate degree to transition to a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Management.