New partnership with UNC Health gives Durham Tech students employment opportunities

Durham Technical Community College partnered with UNC Health this summer to launch a central sterile processing course that included lectures, clinical rotations, and resulted in guaranteed full-time employment for graduates.

The partnership was established to meet industry demands for more processing technicians and is being evaluated for renewal in Summer 2022.

Central sterile processing is a non-credit course where students learn how to assist surgeons by processing and assembling surgical instruments and supporting inventory in operating rooms. 

Nixa Clarke, Heidi Watkins, and Ashley Rufini are three students who participated in the program and are now working full-time at UNC Chapel Hill. 

Watkins is a mother of two boys who needed the opportunity to start her career.

“This cohort gave me a completely new beginning. I am now a full-time employee at UNC! My next steps are to continue this journey as a processing technician and continue climbing up the ladder in this field,” said Watkins. “There are so many opportunities that await. I would highly recommend this course to anyone else out there interested in starting over or trying something new." 

In May, UNC Health conducted job fairs where eight Durham Tech students were selected to participate in the cohort. UNC Health hired those students as part-time central sterile processing technicians and paid for them to complete the central sterile processing course at Durham Tech and clinical work at UNC. 

Clarke was looking forward to her summer break until she unexpectedly received an email to participate in the summer cohort on a Friday and that Monday she attended the virtual orientation. She shifted into learning gear and was excited to begin the cohort. 

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity. As of August 8th, I transitioned into a full-time employee at UNC Chapel Hill. I look forward to learning and growing within my department. Next stop state certificate then preceptor or shift manager,” Clarke said. 

The summer course was shortened from 14 weeks to 10 weeks with the same 144 contact hours.

Mark Harris, Director, Perioperative Supply Chain & Administration at UNC Hospital stated that surgeries are now back to pre-COVID volumes, and the hospital were no longer able to flex their current staff members and needed to do something different to onboard more central sterile processing techs. 

“Some of our best hires had been grads from Durham Tech. When we realized Durham Tech had 2 classes per year, we sought to increase collaboration to see if everyone could support an additional summer course,” said Harris. “Our goal is to support the community college efforts to attract, help train, and retain the health care professionals of the future, as the need will always be there.”

Rufini considered the experience fun and stated everyone was so welcoming in all aspects to help them learn. 

“Although it’s a quick paced class at the beginning, it’s nice to have lecture and then consistent hands-on learning and training. Overall, it’s a very convenient and helpful opportunity for those intending to extend their education and gain a quick certification in the healthcare field,” said Rufini. 

The cohort guaranteed full-time employment for the eight participants after passing the course and earning their certificate. 

“We are excited for the opportunity to partner with UNC Health on this unique educational offering. We value our relationship with UNC Health and we are glad that we are able to respond quickly to meet a critical workforce need. I hope that we can explore similar pathways to connect students to open positions and meet ongoing employment needs of our clinical partners,” said Melissa Oakley Ockert, Dean of Health and Wellness at Durham Tech. 

Learn more about Durham Tech’s Central Sterile Processing course and register for upcoming classes.

Students interested in this program can contact Director of Allied Health and Clinical Coordinator, Dr. Jean Brown at brownjd@durhamtech.edu.

For more information, contact Desiree Towson, M.S., Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, at allisontowsond@durhamtech.edu.