Nov 22, 2024  
2014-15 Academic Catalog 
    
2014-15 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Surgical Technology - SURG.AS


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Programs

Surgical Technology students receive in-depth practical knowledge and substantive clinical education related to the operating room. The surgical technology educational program runs two years to obtain an associate’s degree. The program not only includes intensive hours in the classroom, but also extensive clinical experiences in health care facilities.

An appreciation of the person having surgery, knowledge of common conditions requiring surgery, and an understanding of the surgical procedure as well as skills of patient care are included. Ethical and legal dimensions of the work and profession of surgical technology are part of the program.

The program combines core courses in biological sciences, humanities, the specialty of surgical technology, and the role of the technologist. Supervised clinical practice in hospitals, surgical processing services, and operating rooms provide experiences to prepare for entry level positions in hospital operating rooms and free-standing surgical centers.

Accreditation of Program/National Credentialing of the Graduate: This program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP www.caahep.org) in conjunction with the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA www.arcstsa.org). The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST www.ast.org) is the only national organization that represents surgical technologists and surgical assistants. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for the national certifying examination in Surgical Technology (CST) given by The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA www.nbstsa.org).

CAAHEP
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied
  Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
727.210.2350
www.caahep.org
 
ARC/STSA Accreditation Review Council on Education in
  Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
6 W. Dry Creek Circle, Suite #110
Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: 303.694.9262
Fax: 303.741.3655
www.arcstsa.org
       

AST Logo

 

Association of Surgical Technologists
6 W Dry Creek Circle, Suite #200
Littleton, CO 80120-8031
800.637.7433
www.ast.org

NBSTSA

 

The National Board of Surgical Technology and
  Surgical Assisting
6 W Dry Creek Circle, Suite #100
Littleton, CO 80120-8031
800.707.0057
www.nbstsa.org

Retention Requirements

  • All college level coursework required within the Surgical Technology curriculum with an earned grade of C or better.
  • Each exam within the Surgical Technology courses must be passed with a C or better.
  • Evaluative criteria must be met before proceeding in clinical course work.
  • Students are required to demonstrate professional behaviors that are outlined in each Surgical Technology course syllabus.
  • To re-enter the program, readmission is on a seat available basis upon Re-admissions Committee Review approval.

Health Requirements

Health requirements must be completed by August 15 for Fall admission. Information and forms can be obtained from Health Services, 755-4230, Bldg 20 Third Floor.

A required health form must be completed prior to enrollment, complete with required immunizations. Prophylaxis against Hepatitis B is required. Any health limitations must be within safe limits for both students and patients.

The work in the operating room requires the ability to work on your feet, manual dexterity with fine coordinated motor skills, a stable temperament, attention to detail, and a strong sense of responsibility and integrity. Lifting patients and heavy equipment is part of the work.

Requirements of the Association of Surgical Technologists

The proficient CST demonstrates a caring attitude towards the patient, other surgical team members and the patient-care environment. It is also necessary to understand normal anatomy and physiology, the pathological condition affecting the patient, the planned operative procedure, and consider any variations that may be necessary to accommodate a specific patient.

A common misconception about surgical technologists is that nurses are more qualified to work in the OR because their educational program is often longer. However, during the 1970s, the operative environment was dropped from most nursing curricula. The surgical technology graduate receives more in-depth education in the specialized processes and procedures that exist in surgery. Often, nurses who enter the OR environment are trained on the job by surgical technologists.

Special Scheduling

It should be noted that the clinical experience in the operating room is scheduled to begin at 6:45 a.m. and the afternoon shift may be used, rather than the routine College schedule. This will involve laboratories in

 , SURG-208 , SURG-307  and   . Clinical time is scheduled to provide learning opportunities.

Upon successful completion of requirements for this program, the degree of Associate in Science in Surgical Technology will be awarded.

Applying to this Program


Applicants must be high school graduates or the equivalent, with successful completion of courses in biology, chemistry, and algebra 2. These courses are required for taking Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology. Developmental courses are available at STCC to meet these prerequisites. All students must achieve a Math level of ALGB-093 , a reading level of READ-105, and an English level of ENG-101  on the College placement test.

Applying for Re-Admission to this Program


Students who leave this health program before completing it may apply for re-admission.  Click here  for information about the re-admission policy and process.

Program Goals


The graduates of the STCC Department of Surgical Technology will demonstrate competence to:

  1. Perform the role of the entry-level Surgical Technologist in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
  2. Respond to the Perioperative needs of a diverse population ranging from infancy to senescence.
  3. Respond to cultural values, economic status and disease patterns, which shape health care, needs and values.
  4. Understand and value technological and scientific changes that will provide quality patient care.
  5. Practice sound judgment to protect their health and safety and that of the public they serve consistent with evidence-based practice and critical thinking skills.
  6. Utilize knowledge from a broad academic curriculum to pass the AST certification exam.
  7. Apply principles of professional communication in a variety of demanding situations.
  8. Utilize decision-making and problem solving skills in the application of Surgical Technology principles.
  9. Demonstrate professional behavior consistent with legal requirements and ethical expectations consistent with the AST Code of Ethics.
  10. Assume responsibility for professional accountability to assess the quality of their care using established standards of clinical practice.

(SURG.AS) Curriculum


Total (SURG.AS) Curriculum Program Credits: 65


Department Personnel


Name Title Office Phone Email
Mary Jayne Rossman Associate Professor/Department Chair 20/344 413-755-4887 mjrossman@stcc.edu

 

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Programs