In response to the growing demand for operating room staff, Columbus State Community College is partnering with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to increase enrollment in the college’s surgical technology program.

Students who are admitted into the Columbus State program will complete their training in the Ohio State Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute Surgical Skills Lab. Ohio State staff who are also Columbus State instructors will teach students the Columbus State curriculum in an advanced training center.

“Surgical technologists are vital members of the surgery team and our overall workforce,” said Sarah Sherer, senior associate vice president and chief human resources officer at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. “This unique employer-educator partnership will foster opportunity and create additional pathways of professionals entering this high-demand field and help Ohio State meet our hiring needs.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects there will be 8,600 openings for surgical assistants and technologists each year for the next decade. These employees work in operating rooms with surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses. They help ensure operating rooms are safe, sterile environments. Surgical technologists prepare the operating room for surgery, make sure surgeons and support staff have the tools they need and clean up after surgery.

Students in the five-semester Associate of Applied Science Degree will learn about the human body, medical terms, medications, patient care and the equipment and instruments used during surgery. As part of the program, they will take the national certification exam to become a certified surgical technologist.

“Offering our curriculum at a leading state-of-the-art healthcare provider in our region is an innovative way to expand our educational reach, at a time when we have committed to more than double Columbus State’s contributions to our community healthcare workforce,” said Kirk Dickerson, chief healthcare strategist at Columbus State. “This is a great opportunity for our students to learn where there is innovative research and technology and will enhance their careers in this critical supportive allied health discipline.”

This article originally appeared here.