GPHC trains, graduates 12 Operating Room Technicians
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, March 21, 2018
The sixth batch of Operating Room Technicians drawn from various hospitals in Guyana and Belize graduated today.
The successful graduates are from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), (5), from private institutions, (3), from the Mabaruma Regional Hospital (2) and from the Belize Defense Force (2). They are two Medic Soldiers (from Belize), one Nursing Assistant and nine Patient Care Assistants.
The sixth batch of Operating Room Technicians with some of the course facilitators, and Senior Officials of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
At the simple graduation ceremony at the GPHC Resources Centre, the graduates were charged by Assistant Director of Nursing Services, Keith Alonzo, to not become complacent with their new skill, and to continually strive to develop themselves.
“You have worked hard to achieve this milestone. Your work is not in vain. As certified Operating Room Technicians you have the necessary skills…that can open doors to many achievements”, Alonzo said.
Further Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, Brigadier (Ret’d) George Lewis noted that as Operating Room Technicians, they have a pivotal role to play in ensuring that persons feel better and lives are saved.
“Your job places you in the operating room before, during and after (surgeries). Preparing the operating room, ensuring all the necessary supplies and surgical tools are there, sterile and free from any foreign bodies and generally making certain that everything is in place in the correct manner”, the CEO said.
The nine-month training exercise began in April 2017 and was primarily based at the GPHC. Eighty percent of the training time was spent in the operating room giving each trainee firsthand experience about operating procedures.
During the nine-month period the trainees were also exposed to training in Ophthalmology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgical procedures, Laparoscopic surgeries and Neurological surgeries.
The trainees took their final theoretical examination on January 21, 2018, and the practical examination on January 23. This batch recorded a 100 percent pass rate, resulting in all 12 trainees completing the programme.
The trainees then began a twelve-week period of preceptorship where they will continue to work under supervision, improving their skills and competence. Following this, they will return to their respective hospitals to function in their capacities as Operating Room Technicians.
By: Delicia Haynes