Surgical Technology

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The Surgical Technology program aims to prepare women and men to work primarily in the operating room suite, and to function as surgical technologists who are integral members of the surgical team who work with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses, and other surgical technologists in delivering patient care and assuming appropriate responsibilities before, during and after surgery. Scrub, circulating, and second assisting surgical technologists have primary responsibility for maintaining the sterile field, being constantly vigilant that all members of the team adhere to aseptic technique while understanding the surgical procedure.

An appreciation of the person having surgery, knowledge of common conditions requiring surgery, and 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 (CAAHEP) in conjunction with the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA). 7108-C South Alton Way, Suite 150, Englewood, CO, 80112-2106, phone (303) 694-9262. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for the national the national certifying examination in Surgical Technology (CST) given by The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

Admission Requirements

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 ENGL-100 on the College Placement Test.

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
From: Core Curriculum, Association of the Surgical Technologists, May 2003

All students must meet these requirements of the accrediting association:

1. Able to stand, bend, stoop, and/or sit for long periods of time in one location with minimum/no breaks
2. Able to lift a minimum of 20 pounds
3. Able to refrain from nourishment or restroom breaks for periods up to 6 hours
4. Demonstrate sufficient visual ability enough to load a fine (10-0) suture onto needles and needle holders with/without corrective lenses and while wearing safety glasses
5. Demonstrate sufficient peripheral vision to anticipate and function while in the sterile surgical environment
6. Hear and understand muffled communication without visualization of the communicators mouth/lips and within 20 feet
7. Hear activation/warning signals on equipment
8. Able to detect odors sufficient to maintain environmental safety and patient needs
9. Manipulate instruments, supplies and equipment with speed, dexterity, and good eye-hand coordination
10. Ambulate/move around without assistive devices
11. Able to assist with and/or lift, move, position, and manipulate the patient who is unconscious with or without assistive devices
12. Communicate and understand fluent English both verbally and in writing
13. To be free of reportable communicable diseases and chemical abuse
14. Able to demonstrate immunity (natural or artificial) to Rubella, Rubeola, Tuberculosis, and Hepatitis B, or be vaccinated against these diseases, or willing to sign a waiver of release of liability regarding these diseases (note that STCC REQUIRES immunity)
15. Possess short- and long-term memory sufficient to perform tasks such as, but not limited to, mentally tracking surgical supplies and performing anticipation skills intraoperatively.
16. Able to make appropriate judgment decisions.
17. Demonstrate the use of positive coping skills under stress.
18. Demonstrate calm and effective responses, especially in emergency situations.
19. Exhibit positive interaction skills during patient, staff and faculty interactions (note that STCC requires this in all interactions related to the program)

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-104, SURG-208, SURG-307, and SURG-409. Clinical time is scheduled to provide learning opportunities.

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.

Programmatic Technical Standard (PDF)

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