Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 16, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg is the first university in the state to offer surgical technologists with the LapSim Laparoscopic Simulator, made by Surgical Science — an educational virtual reality machine that prepares students for the operating room.

On this simulator, students will become skilled on performing laparoscopic surgeries, which will better prepare them for performing in a real operating room. The machine will give students practice holding the camera steady, in addition to assisting in the surgery.

“By practicing on the stimulator, students will gain confidence before they ever step foot in a legitimate operating room. They’ll be practicing in safe environment, where they’ll get immediate feedback with no repercussions,” said Amy West, surgical technology program director.

In knowing the steps of the procedure, Surgical Technologists can be one step ahead, making things run smoother in the operating room.

The machine records students’ progress, in addition to giving them tips on how to better improve. It also records the surgery, so it can be watched again. When a student is working on the simulator, their procedure can be projected on a screen in another classroom for other students to observe and critique one another.

“Students like hands-on training, so I’m hoping this will attract them to our campus. They will have time allotted each week to practice on the simulator. Their practice will make them more attractive job candidates to potential employers,” West said.

Students will be awarded with certificates upon completion of all the modules on the simulator. Certificates include: General Camera Navigation, LapSim Camera Navigation, LapSim OB Camera Navigation, and LapSim Instrumentation Navigation

“If our students are prepared when they get to clinicals, the hospital is going to recognize that, and it will give them an upper hand for post education placement,” West said.

For more information, contact Amy West at Amy.West@wvup.edu or 304-424-8655.