NCCT-TSC plan - NCCT Technician in Surgery Updated: 2023

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The men and women that make up the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory’s Laboratory Technician Soldiers recently completed Individual Critical Task training. Multiple USAARL Laboratory Technicians traveled to Fort Eisenhower, Ga., formerly Fort Gordon, to participate in Field Environment Laboratory Operations training, which included complex blood banking/hematology procedures, and clinical chemistry/analysis training. This three-day course gave the USAARL Laboratory Technicians time to practice perishable skills and maintain mission readiness.

The Non-commissioned Officer In Charge of the course, Staff Sgt. Crockett Wessels, explained why the curriculum is imperative to Army healthcare, “The Army 68K tests blood, body fluids, and tissues of patients to support both doctors and nurses. Their job is critical so that medical staff can properly diagnose and treat patients in Army medical care facilities.”

According to Wessels, it is estimated that 80% of medical decisions are formed from the test results delivered by medical laboratory technicians. The Army 68K MOS provides the data the physician needs to properly treat a patient.

Medical laboratory technicians have over 130 ICTs that the Army dictates they should be trained-on annually or quarterly. The skills that 68K Soldiers refreshed in the course strengthen the quality of care patients receive in Army health clinics, prepares technicians to support Soldier treatment in the field, and assists the USAARL Commander in accomplishing the Laboratory’s mission.

According to the USAARL Commander, Col. Matthew Hoefer, USAARL’s mission is to “Develop research-based products and data to keep Warfighters safe and Strengthen their effectiveness in combat.” USAARL’s mission branches from patient care and comfort to lethality of the Warfighter, even to informing approved footwear for aviators.

USAARL has many laboratory technician Soldiers that help accomplish the Unit’s overarching mission. The USAARL Commander acknowledges that 68K Soldiers are experts in health processes and understanding and managing scientific data. All these benefits add to USAARL’s mission capacity and Strengthen its effectiveness. From a mission-oriented standpoint, it is important for the Laboratory’s 68Ks to complete ICT training. The Commander further states that, “it [ICT training] grows combat readiness, maintains perishable skills, and sustains the skills USAARL utilizes most from our 68Ks, regulatory process management.”

Cpl. Matthew Antill gave insight into what being a 68K is like while assigned to USAARL. Antill has been in the Army for six years, and has been assigned to USAARL for two and a half years. Antill stated that what they like most about their time at USAARL is that they have the capability to “broaden their horizons while practicing 68K skills.” Antill elaborated that USAARL allows Soldiers to develop skills that go outside the basic Clinical Laboratory Technician job description, and this improves the adaptability of a Soldier and their talents.

Spc. Chelsea Owens attended the ICT training and expressed that getting hands-on time with field analysis equipment was the main component of the ICT training that she enjoyed. “ICT training was great because I was able to dive into the field portion of being a 68K. I was able to learn new skills and prepare myself for a potential deployment while still maintaining my research-based position in USAARL.”

ICT training elevates USAARL Laboratory Technicians to broaden their 68K skills while preparing them for the future missions within the United States Army.

About USAARL

USAARL is a world-class organization of subject matter experts in the fields of operator health and performance in complex systems; the en route care environment; blunt, blast, and accelerative injury and protection; crew survival in rotary-wing aircraft and combat vehicles; and sensory performance, injury, and protection. USAARL engages in innovative research, development, test and evaluation activities to identify research gaps and inform requirements documents that contribute to future vertical lift, medical, aviation, and defense health capabilities. USAARL is a trusted agent for stakeholders, providing evidence-based solutions and operational practices that protect joint force warriors and enhance warfighter performance. USAARL invests in the next generation of scientists and engineers, research technicians, program managers, and administrative professionals by valuing and developing its people, implementing talent management principles, and engaging in educational outreach opportunities.

When putting your best foot forward, your local mani-pedi salon may be a step behind.

Women hoping for the perfect pedicure — and perhaps “Barbie feet” — are ditching their neighborhood nail spots and turning to an unlikely, less glamorous destination: med spas.

Rather than a simple soak, file and paint, NYC beauty buffs hoping for more than just a fresh coat of shellac are instead opting for medical-grade foot services.

Medical pedicures have typically been a specialized health service for people who suffer from serious health issues such as diabetes and arthritis. However, the foot service — which typically costs $200 — has gained the popularity of a younger crowd seeking the best pedicure of their lives.

Medi Pedi NYC in Midtown has seen a 75% uptick in younger customers — from 18 to 30 — looking for rejuvenated feet.

“A lot of people were calling us and asking for availability,” Enajeona Carrero, an employee of Medi Pedi NYC, told The Post. “We were kinda confused but realized viral TikTok videos were the reason.”

The high demand pushed the medical spa to hire two additional nail technicians and expand its facility from three to five rooms to accommodate demand.

Carrero said the viral videos have kept the med spa booked and busy with some clients having to wait nearly four weeks to be seen for an appointment.

The TikTok-loving generation discovered the foot service when influencer Cat Quinn posted a TikTok review of her medical pedicure experience at Medi Pedi NYC, saying it helped her achieve the “perfect Barbie feet.”

A “medical pedicure” addresses issues such as athlete’s foot, corns, calluses, cracked heels, nail fungus, ingrown toenails and nail discoloration. The non-invasive treatment bridges podiatry and basic nail care with a focus on assessing and treating foot issues.

Quinn’s now-viral clip with nearly 5 million views — not to mention, #medicalpedicure has over 160 million hits on TikTok — grabbed the attention of many Gen Zers, who were ready to book their appointment at a local medical pedicure spa.

Medi Pedi NYC’s CEO Marcela Correa told The Post she has applauded the uptick in younger clients since she advocates for anyone striving for healthy feet.

“It’s something that people get bullied for so they don’t want to share their feet with anybody or be seen by anybody,” the licensed medical nail technician said. “People are always laughing about other people’s foot conditions and 90% of the time the condition is not even foot related.”

More people say they’re leaning toward the foot service at med spas over nail salons because medical pedicures are more desparate on the details of the feet and nails. A medical pedicure’s process involves extensive cleaning, sanding, buffing, shaping of the nails and removing dead skin.

Although the influx of new clients is great for business, it’s pushing people who rely on the service to the back of the line.

Heide Hlawaty, a client at Medi Pedi NYC, disclosed the difficulty she experienced trying to book an appointment lately as the service became popular.

“I’m so glad to have gotten an early appointment,” she quipped after struggling to get an appointment for several months.

The Long Island resident said she treks to the Manhattan office every six to eight weeks to ensure her feet are taken care of. Hlawaty said if she skips visits to the medical spa, she would endure unbearable pain, especially when walking.

Even though the spa does not take medical insurance, Hlawaty claims the service is worth the $200 charge and since she relies on the medical pedicure to avoid pain, her health savings account (HSA) will occasionally cover the fee.

“Sometimes it goes through and sometimes it doesn’t,” she laughed. “It’s just so capricious.”

While Medi Pedi NYC is merely a medical spa, it often refers clients to podiatrists when the issues need special treatment.

But for Hlawaty, the med spa is the only place that fulfills her foot needs — even compared to a podiatrist with treatments she feels are “rough on my feet.”

“They don’t fully appreciate the sensitivity of toes when undergoing a pedicure,” she said.

Earlier this year, Hlawaty experienced a blood infection that left her feet untreated for months. During the absence of Correa’s touch, her foot developed painful blisters, ingrown nails and significant calluses so intense that she could not even see her toes.

When the blood infection was resolved, she said medical technicians were able to save her feet after a few visits.

“I could have possibly lost my toes,” Hlawaty said. “Marcella and her group helped me keep my feet, they helped me keep my toes. I have come to value my feet because I took them for granted.”

Although youthful clients dominating the appointment time slots have impacted availability for patients who rely on the service, Correa applauds the younger generation’s commitment to healthy feet.

“Those [TikTok] videos really help a lot [with] educating more people that something like this exists,” Correa said. “They don’t even know that those [foot conditions] exist because they are too young to have it.”

Correa encourages more people to keep up the appearance of their feet because sometimes it could be a warning sign of a more serious health condition such as heart disease or osteoporosis.

“Foot care is the most important part of your body,” she said. “If you take care of your mouth and you don’t take care of your feet, you’re not gonna smile with those teeth because your feet hurt.”

OGLESBY - Prospective students can Explore IVCC at the fall open house on Tuesday, Nov. 7, in the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre.

A welcome and a student panel begins at 5:30 p.m., and current students will share their experiences at IVCC. At 6 p.m., tours of campus begin. Deans and faculty will be available to discuss majors and offer tours of labs and classrooms, and counselors will be available to discuss academic programs. Prizes and IVCC T-shirts will also be available.

Attendance is encouraged for anyone considering enrolling in spring. “It’s a good chance for students to talk to someone in the programs they’re interested in, and to get a feel for campus,” said Admissions Director Tom Quigley.

Programs such as emergency medical technician, accounting, early childhood education, health professions, criminal justice, automotive technology, certified nursing assistant, science, business, agriculture, phlebotomy, dental assisting/hygiene, political science and computer aided design will be represented, as will services such as Learning Resources, Counseling and Special Populations.

To RSVP, visit ivcc.edu/admissions/exploreivcc.php, Spring registration opens Nov. 1. Classes begin Jan. 11, 2024.

Following the death of two patients after alleged botched-up medical procedures, four people, including three doctors and a technician, have been arrested for allegedly performing, and allowing, surgeries without requisite medical degrees at a clinic in south Delhi.

A police team led by Inspector Ajeet Singh, SHO, GK Police Station, identified the accused as Dr Neeraj Aggarwal, who runs the Aggarwal Medical Centre in Greater Kailash I, his wife Dr Pooja, Dr Jaspreet Singh, and Mahender Singh, a lab technician.

Eight complaints stemming from cases of post-surgery deaths are pending against the clinic with the Delhi Medical Council along with two complaints with the Delhi Police; the clinic has been in operation since 2009.

While all three doctors had MBBS degrees, only Dr Jaspreet, the police said, had a Master of Surgery (MS). However, he had never performed a surgical procedure himself and used to create fake surgical notes to validate the procedures, they added.

Besides Mahender, the doctors also used to allow “other inexperienced people” to perform surgeries in lieu of small payments, police alleged.

According to police, Aggarwal used to offer surgeries, including removal of gall bladder stones and neurosurgery, charging patients between Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000 with the promise of completing the procedure within 15 to 20 minutes.

Their latest victim was a patient named 44-year-old Jai Narayan, a resident of Garhi, East of Kailash, who was operated upon at the clinic for removal of his gall bladder stone. He died in October.

However, the lid off the racket was blown by a procedure performed at the clinic in 2022 itself.

DCP (South) Chandan Choudhary said that on October 10, a complaint from the wife of Asgar Ali, Naseeb Ul Nisha, a resident of Sangam Vihar, was received at the Greater Kailash Police Station alleging that on September 19 last year, she took her husband to Aggarwal Medical Centre at GK-1 for the removal of his gall bladder stone. The complaint was forwarded by the Delhi Medical Council.

“Before commencement of surgery, the director of the Hospital…stated that the surgery will be conducted by a ‘famous surgeon’ namely Dr Jaspreet Singh. But right before the surgery, Dr Aggarwal said that Dr Jaspreet Singh will not be able to perform the surgery due to some urgency and now, Dr Mahendra Singh will conduct the surgery,” said the DCP.

Dr Aggarwal then introduced Mahendra, the lab technician, to the complainant. “…the complainant stated that the surgery of her husband was conducted by Dr Mahender Singh, Dr Neeraj Aggarwal and Dr Pooja,” said the officer.

Police further said that the complainant later got to know that “Dr Mahender Singh” was actually a lab technician and that Dr Pooja was also not a qualified surgeon. Ali was rushed to the Safdarjung Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead; a case under sections for punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and criminal conspiracy was lodged.

Police later found that on the day of Ali’s surgery in September last year, Dr Jaspreet Singh was not present at the clinic and was later found to have prepared fake documents regarding the surgery.

According to the police, eight other complaints, dating back to 2016, alleging death by negligence through “botched up surgeries” are already pending with the Delhi Medical Council against the centre.