From Sniper to Scrub: Jess Tolzmann, Clinical Coordinator’s, Journey into Surgical Technology

When Jess Tolzmann decided he wanted a career as a Surgical Technician, he had no formal education or experience in the medical field. But, after two tours as an Army sniper he knew the graphic nature of physical injury. He wanted to be on the other side of the equation by serving his community in a healthcare setting. 

Jess excelled in the medical field as a Surgical Technician. His original career vision has since stretched to a position of teaching others how to be on the medical front lines of providing surgical support to operating, emergency and patient procedure teams in medical facilities’ surgical units.  

What first inspired you to become a Surgical Technician? 

In the Army I just saw a lot of bad things, assaults to the body. It desensitized me and prepared me for the surgical setting of seeing the inside of a body. I looked into nursing but was more drawn to surgery. The operating room is where I wanted to be and the role and responsibilities of a Surgical Technologist was the right fit. 

I wanted to be on the helping, rather than destruction end of human body impact. 

What was that medical/surgical education trajectory like for you? 

I graduated from SJVC’s Surgical Technology program in 2018 and worked as a Surgery Technician in Trauma and Orthopedic surgery for 3-1/2 years. During that time I got my Health Care Management degree online in 2022 and, subsequently, my Bachelor of Science degree.  

Then, I got a call from a previous instructor in my Surgical Technology program at SJVC’s Fresno campus about a Clinical Coordinator position for their Surgical Technology program.  

Did that offer fit your personal, education and career needs and vision? 

I talked with my wife, Allison, who had just had our first daughter. It was going to be chaotic, but it felt right for our family needs. I have a love for teaching and coaching; it was always there in the back of my mind. 

Describe your position responsibilities. 

Our (in as few as) 15-month Surgical Technology program, I’m in charge of 24-students at any given time. My primary job is to get them placed at clinical sites to satisfy Surgical Technology case requirements. Not just observing. It’s hands-on and sets them up for success from a skill-level and medical culture familiarity. 

What do those responsibilities entail? 

I’m a matchmaker. I make a good fit for both students and the medical facilities. I make site visits to evaluate students’ skills are up to par and make sure both students and participating facilities are getting their needs met. 

In their externship, our students are working in real-life situations – everything from open-heart surgeries to ACL repairs, gastric bypass surgeries – and not just observing.  

What are Surgery Tech’s primary responsibilities in the operating room? 

We use the term ‘scrub role’. They’re in charge of setting up for surgeries, maintaining a sterile field and assisting the surgeon with the procedure, such as passing instruments, retracting a body cavity for easier physician access and providing patient response information. 

What other educational areas to you provide your Surgical Technology students? 

I teach the Advanced Surgical Technologist course in preparation for the Certified Surgical Technology (CST) national certification exam*. I also teach Professional Development: students create a portfolio for their job search, perform mock interviews, budgeting, how to process taxes and workplace norms: how to get along with employers, resolve issues with co-workers and managers. The operating room can be filled with a lot of personality!

What excites you about your role in SJVC’s Surgical Technology program? 

It’s a unique experience to see students go from the classroom to externship and hands-on experience in real time in the operating rooms (OR). To see them grow in surgery while still in school is really exciting for me. 

And to spend time in the OR with previous friends and surgeons – who can also give me important student feedback – has really helped me in my role as an instructor. 

What encourages you about your Surgical Technology students? 

A lot of students come here never having had a good job or career ambitions. Many come from desk jobs: office/clerical. This career is very hands-on and involves a great deal of critical thinking. I see them appreciate the challenge of going into this every day, knowing that they will make a difference in their community within the health care field. 

What advice do you give to students who struggle with academics, time management, etc.? 

A saying I embraced in the Army is “Slow is smooth; smooth is fast”. Instead of rushing a project, decision, action, take a second to analyze and do it right the first time. Make the first step more purposeful and deliberate. In my role as a sniper, I’ve had to be very precise and have carried that lesson with me. 

Do students provide much feedback about the Surgical Technology program? 

The greatest response I’ve gotten was, ‘I wouldn’t change anything about this program!’. And I’ve heard, ‘I got my dream job’ many times. Seeing a 21-year-old single mother get a job offer from the hospital she really wanted to work at – I take that as a professional compliment. 

It was very validating that they were taking steps to develop employees interested in greater engagement and to better drive themselves and the college toward success. 

What is the optimum outcome of your program? 

We want to give our students more than just a degree; it’s a lifelong journey. We teach them they have to be accountable for their actions – and never underestimate the power of a positive impact. 

How do you stay motivated? 

I just finished SJVC’s Ignite Leadership training program. I felt honored to be selected, along with other employees, for this 3-day experience. It was a huge investment in their staff and faculty to outline SJVC’s road map and strategies to develop employees interested in advancement or better understanding of operation dynamics.  

They are taking great steps to develop employees interested in bettering themselves and the college. It was a fit for me. My greatest inspiration is to serve the education and career ambitions of others.  

What is next for you? 

I take pride in what I’ve done in the Surgical Technology program and that has brought a lot of satisfaction. It also challenged me to stretch higher academically. I start a Master’s program online in June in Organizational Leadership and Strategies. It’s a 2-year program, but 18-months is my goal. 

I’m fortunate to have a great family (wife, two daughters) that sets the tone for how to treat others well and take pride in your work. For me, it’s helping others achieve a positive education and career. 

*SJVC prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program.