Missoula College Boasts Nation’s Top 10 Surgical Tech Program

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - The University of Montana’s Missoula College Surgical Technology Program has been honored as one of the nation’s top 10, according to a new national ranking.

I spoke to UM’s Director of Strategic Communications, Dave Kuntz on Thursday about the ranking just released this week.

Missoula College Has One of the Top 10 Surgical Tech Programs in the Country

“Missoula College, the University of Montana's two-year partner, has lots of programs that really fill the needs of the local economy, and one of those programs is our Surgical Tech Nursing Program,” began Kuntz. “Recently, that program has been ranked as a top 10 program in the whole country. These are the folks who are assisting surgeons as they're doing either everyday surgeries or emergency surgeries, and they're just really critical to the healthcare infrastructure we have in the state.”

Kuntz pointed out the unique opportunities offered by the Surgical Tech program.

Students Learn By Working With the Instruments That Doctors Will Use

“What makes this program unique is the ‘hands-on’ learning opportunities that we have here at Missoula College, which really provides almost a lab-type experience where those students can work with the tools and the instruments that surgeons need during surgeries in a setting that really prepares them for the hospitals and surgery centers here in Montana and across the region,” he said. “What's really separating this program is that access to real type workplace opportunities that a lot of other programs don't have access to.”

Kuntz said UM Surgical Tech graduates are currently working in hospitals and surgery centers across the region.

“Surgical technicians can work with all the healthcare providers in Montana who have surgery centers,” he said. “So here in Missoula, there are the Providence Hospital systems; Community (Medical Center); the Benefis Systems in Great Falls in central Montana, and all the big hospital systems out in the region, such as Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, etc. There's a high demand for the surgical technicians and they're critical in terms of meeting the needs of the surgery centers here across the state.”

Surgical Tech is a Two Year Program That Can Bring High Wage Jobs

Kuntz explained why the Surgical Tech program is so attractive to Montana students.

“These are two-year degree programs with high-paying wages and jobs that are ready on day one, once the students graduate,” he said. “That’s why we put a lot of effort into growing this program, communicating about this program, and it now has a robust enrollment. Part of the reason why is because the graduates are able to hit the ground running and fill a lot of these healthcare needs in our area.”

In addition to the Surgical Tech program, Missoula College also offers seven other opportunities for a career in health care.