Carving a Path in Surgical Technology: Tamara Raymond’s Story

Tamara Raymond always knew being a LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) was going to be a steppingstone for her in the medical field. But it wasn’t until she watched her first surgery that a clear vision of her future career took solid shape. The operating room was her destiny and SJVC’s Surgical Technology program was the path she would take to get there.

What she did not imagine at that time was that she would also be in a position one day to teach other Surg Tech want-to-be students how to make their own Surgery Technology career aspirations a reality.

What first attracted you to this medical field specialty?

My mother, Kathy, went to LVN school, then became a phlebotomist before she retired. Medical environments always intrigued me. I felt that the medical field was very stable, and I have that personality – very empathetic – so it would be great for me.

How did your Surgical Technology career begin?

I completed my Surgical Technology program at SJVC’s Temecula campus in 2020 and worked at Penrose Hospital in Colorado for about 18-months. It was there I worked with a surgeon who had very high expectations for support in the OR (operating room). He always asked for me to assist because he knew I knew exactly what he would need. He requested me for every single case he had. His patients loved him. He passed away from Covid. That put a dent in my heart and was the reason I started traveling in my work.

I worked with a placement company for 18-months that gave me 13-week assignments and a lot of good experience.

What was the next step up your career ladder?

We (husband, Travis, and pregnant with Lenix – now 10 months old) were set to move back here (CA) and I was looking for a less stressful job. I’d always loved teaching students when they came into the hospital, and I thought: Why not give teaching a shot?  I saw a Surgical Technology instructor opening on SJVC’s website and I applied. I started my position just two weeks later. It was a big move from Colorado back to California.

What was teaching Surgical Tech students like?

After being in the field for 4-years, I love teaching the Surg Tech students, empowering them, showing my passion for the field and sharing my knowledge and experience with them. It is a great and joyous experience for me.

I try to make it fun, but I also want students to understand that we’re working to save lives. I want them to find that love within themselves for this very serious work. They will watch surgeries and have to understand what is going on and how to best help the surgeon.

How do students learn about surgeries without actually participating in one?

We have a simulated surgical environment at school where we have a mannequin (human replication), a field of surgical equipment and operating room with bright lights, operating table, furniture and instruments. Everything is sterile. We simulate surgeries: students gown and glove-up and we use actual knives/blades, instruments and perform mock surgeries.

We know in advance which surgery is being performed and we have various organs (gel) on which to perform. We beat them up as much as we can before we toss them. Students get a little awestruck; they really get into it.

How do you know when students are ready to move forward?

We have clinicals – hands-on exercises – where students have to pass a skills assessment. They’re called ‘runs’ or ‘mock surgeries’ where the instructor is the surgeon and they play the surgical technician role they hope to grow into.

Is there a Surgical Technician profile?

You recognize them in the lab, excited, doing hands-on – touching gross stuff! It takes a special type of person to do that – we’re our own breed. The smells. There are some very unpleasant smells in there.

How would you describe your teaching style?

I make it fun, but I also want to make sure they understand we’re working to save lives. I want them to find that love in themselves to do this job. And if they’re excited about what they do, they will find that feeling.

What is your greatest struggle as an instructor?

Having been a Surg Tech student here, I knew what to expect. I want to give that expectation to these students as future Surgical Techs. I want them to know what the work is going to be like and comfortable and confident with their skill level.

Best advice to students who might struggle?

Making mistakes is essential to learning, so don’t be afraid to make them. Take a breath, focus on what you’re doing. We start out as novices, but we’ll be experts eventually. Mistakes are meant to happen – that’s how we know how to fix them. Be patient…and know you’ll get there.

I remind them of the importance of their role as a Surgical Technician.

What are the biggest challenges of being a Surgical Technician?

You’ll see some hard things. A young person gets shot, a family loses a child, a mother comes in from a miscarriage and you have to get that baby out. We do converse with those patients who come into the OR awake. We are behind that curtain.

What keeps you enthusiastic about giving your students what they need to know?

Positive feedback from surgeons, nurses, and people you work with every day reinforces my passion for teaching. Getting feedback from my students that they learned so much from me. I learned so much when I was a student because my instructor was amazing – and made it fun and exciting to be there.

I have that expectation of myself. Be their role model, praise them, encourage them to be the best they can be.

What kind of feedback do you get from your Surg Tech students?

I get great feedback from my students – that they learned so much from me. I want to make it exciting for my students to be there. I want to praise them, encourage them and to be their role model. I want to help them make their own dreams and visions.

What do you most hope to give your students?

As a part-time ST program instructor and full-time surgical technician in the field, I want to give my students a vision of our profession worth fighting for. I tell them, “Make your own dreams and visions.” Another thing I like to remind my students of is “Surgeons need heroes, too”.