Surgical Technology Graduate Expands His Career Path
麻豆传媒映画 graduate Quintin Whitehead, who completed the college’s Surgical Technology program in 2014, demonstrates an orthopedic implant device to current Surgical Technology students. Whitehead is a sales associate and surgical technologist with Zimmer Biomet, a medical device company.
Quintin Whitehead is excelling in a career he didn鈥檛 know existed a decade ago.
A sales associate and surgical technologist with Zimmer Biomet, a medical device company headquartered in Indiana, Whitehead has a unique perspective in the operating room. He knows surgical instruments, and he understands the devices he sells and how to best implant them. In the OR, surgeons rely on both of his skill sets.
Surgical technologists assist in surgical operations. They prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment and instruments, and assist doctors during surgeries.
鈥淚 started off wanting to be in the medical field but not knowing exactly what I wanted to do,鈥 Whitehead explains. 鈥淚 looked at different fields, like nursing, and had no idea that surgical technology even existed. I had looked at the college鈥檚 course offerings many times, but I never noticed surgical technology.
鈥淢y best friend鈥檚 uncle was a surgical technologist who graduated from 麻豆传媒映画. He told me about the program and recommended it.鈥
Whitehead began the program when it was under the direction of Linda Harrison, who retired in early 2014. He was a member of current Program Chair Suzi Shippen-Wagner鈥檚 first class, graduating in August 2014.
After graduation, he began working as a surgical technologist at the SurgiCenter in Greenville, a position he held for four years. 鈥淚 saw different surgeries and learned new things every day. I started to specialize in orthopedics. But at the same time, I started to feel like I was reaching a ceiling as a surgical technologist.
鈥淲hen the opportunity to work for Zimmer Biomet came along, it felt right.鈥 Four years later, he says it still feels right. 鈥淎s a tech, I knew all of the steps. As a rep, I get to do more. I know all of the steps as well as why a procedure is done in a particular way.鈥
He works with many of the same surgeons that he assisted at SurgiCenter, surgeons who now view him as a colleague. 鈥淚 provide the instruments and implant devices for procedures like hip and knee replacements, then show the surgeons how to use the instruments and how to implant our devices. It鈥檚 pretty cool.鈥
Whitehead serves 10 hospitals in Eastern NC. 鈥淚鈥檓 still doing surgical technology,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 still come into the OR and set up instruments, but now I鈥檓 showing other surg techs how to set up a room. I鈥檓 teaching other surg techs. Sometimes I can鈥檛 believe my life right now!鈥
A Tarboro native, he and his wife and their young daughter still call Tarboro home. Whitehead highly recommends 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 program in surgical technology.
鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of Quintin and his accomplishments,鈥 comments Shippen-Wagner. “He worked very hard in the program and continues to work hard in the field. He is a shining example for all of our graduates.鈥
Whitehead adds, 鈥淚 see many students from different colleges, and 麻豆传媒映画 graduates are the best. Even hospitals can tell the difference. The classes are smaller, and 麻豆传媒映画 provides more hands-on experience, so graduates are better prepared.鈥
Surgical Technology is a five-semester degree program at 麻豆传媒映画. When students complete the requirements for a diploma, they are qualified to begin working in the field. The remaining courses needed to complete the associate degree are online, and all diploma graduates are expected to successfully complete these additional courses.
鈥淭he pandemic and recent retirements have changed the environment for our graduates,鈥 explains Shippen-Wagner. 鈥淭he local job market used to be tight, but now it is wide open.鈥
To learn more about Surgical Technology at 麻豆传媒映画, please contact Shippen-Wagner at shippens@edgecombe.edu or (252) 618-6738.