Feb. 27, 2025 | By Sharon Holland, Uniformed Services University
Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas — Educating and training the next generation of military urology technicians requires a program that blends classroom learning, hands-on experience, and real-world clinical application. As a program of the Uniformed Services University's College of Allied Health Sciences, the Urology Technician Program at the Medical Education and Training Campus, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, does just that. It provides enlisted Navy and Air Force surgical technologists with the opportunity to earn 21 upper-level college credits while gaining specialized skills to support urologic care in military medical settings.
The program, which was reaccredited by the Certification Board for Urologic Nurses & Associates in March 2024 for three years, consists of five courses that combine classroom instruction, hands-on simulation training, and clinical experiences at military or civilian medical facilities. Students gain expertise in genitourinary anatomy, urologic diseases, surgical procedures, radiological equipment operation, and patient care. They assist urologists in clinic management, minor surgeries, and pre- and post-operative care, preparing them for both fixed and deployable medical environments. Graduates are eligible to challenge the Certified Urologic Associate exam after a year of clinical experience, further enhancing their professional qualifications.
Since 2019, 51 Navy and 17 Air Force students have enrolled in the College of Allied Health Sciences through the METC program, with nine Navy graduates earning Associate of Science in Health Sciences degrees from USU.
“The program’s success is a testament to the expertise of METC’s faculty, who bring a combined 60 years of urologic experience to the classroom. Their dedication, strengthened by USU’s academic framework, ensures students are not only meeting clinical standards but are also prepared to become future leaders in military medicine,” says Dr. James Nash, dean of USU’s College of Allied Health Sciences. “This partnership between USU and METC continues to strengthen the Military Health System, developing a highly skilled healthcare workforce to support the evolving needs of the Department of Defense and provide exceptional care for warfighters.”
