{"id":116507,"date":"2026-03-09T01:17:22","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T04:17:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tech.einnews.com\/article\/898211017"},"modified":"2026-03-09T01:17:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T04:17:22","slug":"colorado-hospital-launches-apprenticeship-to-grow-its-own-surgical-tech-workforce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/03\/09\/colorado-hospital-launches-apprenticeship-to-grow-its-own-surgical-tech-workforce\/","title":{"rendered":"Colorado hospital launches apprenticeship to grow its own surgical tech workforce"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DENVER \u2014 A Colorado hospital system is tackling a shortage of surgical staff by creating a new training opportunity for its own employees.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s a really specialized area. In order to become a surg tech, you have to either get an associate\u2019s degree or go to a program. A lot of people haven’t even heard of it the job before. So, we wanted to bring awareness and recognition,\u201d said Maggie McCluskey, AdventHealth regional perioperative educator.<\/p>\n

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Maggie McCluskey, AdventHealth\u2019s regional perioperative educator, speaks with Denver7’s Sophia Villalba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To help solve the shortage, AdventHealth has launched its first surgical technologist apprenticeship program in its Rocky Mountain region to grow the surgical technologist workforce from within.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost facilities in the Denver metro have had a shortage of surge techs, and it’s a lack of awareness, and then sometimes the high stress of the job as well. We really want to get them trained so they can know our staff, our surgeons, make those connections, and feel more comfortable in the operating room,\u201d said McCluskey.<\/p>\n

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AdventHealth’s first group of surgical tech apprentices during class.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Surgical technologists play a key role in the operating room, helping surgeons during procedures.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe OR is a really specialized place, and so we have our specialized nurses, but we also have our specialized surgical technologists,\u201d said McCluskey.<\/p>\n

This year-long apprenticeship gives current AdventHealth clinical employees the chance to train for a surgical tech career in the operating room while still earning a paycheck.<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn’t imagine having to work and do the program. Being able to just focus on getting all the information and learning all of the instruments and not having to worry about doing another job on the outside, it makes it easier for me,\u201d said Tynesha Matthews, surgical technologist in-training.<\/p>\n

The first group of five apprentices started in February, each representing a different hospital in AdventHealth\u2019s Rocky Mountain region.<\/p>\n

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AdventHealth’s first group of surgical tech apprentices.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cOur surge techs are individuals who are literally the right-hand man or woman of the surgeon, and they’re handing instruments, anticipating needs,\u201d said McCluskey.<\/p>\n

Hospital leaders say recruiting surgical techs has been a challenge across the Denver metro area, partly because many people don\u2019t know the role exists or can\u2019t afford to take time off for training.<\/p>\n

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Colorado hospital launches apprenticeship to grow its own surgical tech workforce<\/div>\n

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\u201cWe decided, why not start within AdventHealth to see who we could find that was interested,\u201d said McCluskey.<\/p>\n

The group of five will spend their first few weeks completing online coursework and hands-on skills labs before moving into clinical rotations at their home hospitals.<\/p>\n

Tynesha Matthews is one of the five apprentices in the program.<\/p>\n

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Tynesha Matthews, a surgical technologist in-training with AdventHealth, speaks with Denver7’s Sophia Villalba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cCurrently, I’m a surgical tech in training. I was a medical assistant, and now I\u2019m training to go into the OR. I’ve always wanted to do something different in healthcare, and the OR just seems so interesting, like a step up and more challenging,\u201d said Matthews.<\/p>\n

For trainees like Tynesha Matthews, the program also provides a new perspective on what goes on inside an operating room.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould be a minor surgery, but there’s still a whole team behind it. So, it’s kind of like the teamwork and the, if you succeed, I succeed. I like that part,\u201d said Matthews.<\/p>\n

Once training is done, hospital leaders say a job is already waiting for them at their home hospitals.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, they’re hired in by their facility,\u201d said McCluskey.<\/p>\n

A second group of apprentices is set to begin this program in July.<\/p>\n

Back in 2023, AdventHealth Castle Rock launched its clinical ladder program<\/a> to help solve a nursing shortage. <\/p>\n

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Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Sophia Villalba<\/div>\n
Denver7\u2019s Sophia Villalba covers stories that have an impact in all of Colorado\u2019s communities, but specializes in covering education. If you\u2019d like to get in touch with Sophia, fill out the form below to send her an email.<\/div>\n
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