Successful Student Finds New Challenges
By DR. STEVE TIGER
Superintendent
SURGICAL TECH: Jamie Langham, a Tulsa Tech graduate, prepares for surgery. Langham originally planned to become a veterinarian but then found that surgery posed more of a challenge for her. She enrolled in Tulsa Tech’s surgical technologist program and is now a certified surgical technologist with St. John Medical Center.
Courtesy Tulsa Tech
Jamie Langham had completed her general education college requirements and then continued studying to achieve her goal of working in an animal hospital as a veterinary technician. However, she soon found the work to be less rewarding than she had anticipated.
“I love animals and I enjoyed caring for them,” Langham says. “But many of the tasks associated with their basic care, like taking X-rays or brushing teeth, can become repetitive, and I just knew I wanted something more challenging.”
As the Jenks native evaluated her career options, she began to think about how much she enjoyed the extra tasks and unique challenges associated with surgeries at the veterinary facility where she was employed.
“I realized that my most rewarding days on the job were related to surgeries,” she says. “The work was always a little more difficult, certainly more complex, but I really enjoyed the new experiences and working together as a team to support the veterinarian surgeon.”
Langham decided that the best way to expand on her health education background and work full-time in a surgical environment was to apply for Tulsa Tech’s surgical technologist program.
“My sister had enjoyed attending one of the nursing programs at Tech,” Langham says. “So I was familiar with the school and very excited when I discovered that I’d been accepted.”
The rigorous program prepares students to work as members of a surgical team delivering patient care and assuming appropriate responsibilities before, during and after surgery. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the surgical technology certification exam sponsored by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Those who pass the certification exam may use the credential Certified Surgical Technologist ().
“My initial goal was to really challenge myself and pursue something I felt that I would be good at,” she says. “It was very rewarding to complete the program, pass the exam and achieve my final goal of working as a member of a surgical team.”
She currently works as a at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa. St. John Medical Center is nationally recognized for its cardiovascular, orthopedic, palliative and stroke care and is a regional leader in neurosurgery, oncology, surgical services, bariatrics, radiology, urology and women’s health.
“I enjoy learning from different surgeons and being able to anticipate the next step in a particular surgical process,” says Langham. “It’s rewarding to help care for someone and hopefully improve their health.”
Tammy Roper, surgical technology instructor at Tulsa Tech, understands why students like Langham succeed in this exciting, but also very demanding, career field.
“Jamie’s not only smart, she’s extremely compassionate to others around her,” Roper says. “I am very proud of her and the things she’s been able to accomplish.”
Although this successful believes others may benefit from studying the many career choices available at Tulsa Tech, she does offer some cautionary advice.
“If you’re queasy or get upset at the sight of blood, you probably want to avoid the surgical technology program,” she jokes. “But I would recommend Tech to anyone regardless of their career choice. With great instructors, and the support of fellow students, my experience wasn’t just challenging, it was also fun.”
If you’re currently looking for exciting classes for high school and adult students, quality business and industry training, or a challenging new career, Tulsa Tech invites you to visit today. For more information, please call 918-828-5000 or visit us online at tulsatech.edu.
Updated 02-06-2014
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