Surgical Services A.S. Degree

Surgical Services is a program of study that encourages each student to benefit and contribute as a partner in the economic development and stability of their respective communities. The philosophy of the Surgical Services program is founded on the value attributed to individual students, the surgical field, and technical education.

The Surgical Services A.S. Degree program prepares competent entry level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. The Surgical Services program provides the student with the knowledge and skills to become a qualified entry-level surgical technologist. Important attributes for the success of program graduates are critical thinking, problem-solving, and the application of the training to the work requirement. The present trend in this field is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

The program:

• Provides lectures and laboratory courses as part of the learning experience.
• Provides clinical experiences for students on site with community medical partners.

Accreditation Statement

The Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. (CAAHEP) on the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Counsel on Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

Further information regarding accreditation of the Surgical Technology program can be found through:

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354
www.caahep.org

Graduates of the program will be administered the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam. The exam is administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

Surgical Services Information

• Essential Functions
• Occupational Hazards Surgical Services

MISSION, PURPOSE AND GOALS

The purpose and goals of the Surgical Technology program is to prepare entry level surgical technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession, and meeting or exceed the criteria set forth in the current CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Surgical Technology, that will enable them to obtain the necessary skill level to succeed in the field of surgical technology and related areas.

The Surgical Technology program provides educational opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, handicapping condition, academic disadvantage, or economic disadvantage.

The Surgical Technology program is intended to produce graduates who are prepared for employment as surgical technologists. Program graduates are to be competent in the general areas of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and microbiology.

Graduates are competent as skilled surgical technologists, qualified by didactic and clinical training, to provide services in the operating room under the supervision and responsibility of the operating room supervisor, who is a Registered Nurse.

Graduates are prepared to function in association with nurses and surgeons to help provide the best possible care of the surgical patient. They function as a part of the operating room team responsible for the cleanliness, safety, and efficiency of the operating room which leads to good patient care. Their experience with aseptic surgical techniques qualifies them to prepare materials for use at the operating table and to assist in the use of these materials.

Graduates are prepared to demonstrate an ability to relate to people from all demographics, and a capacity for calm and reasoned judgment in meeting emergencies. Respect for the patient as a person and respect for the patient’s privacy is expected of the technologist.

PHILOSOPHY

The basic beliefs, attitudes, and concepts that are the foundation of the Surgical Technology program are expressed in the following statements.

Surgical Technology is a program of study that encourages each student to benefit and contribute as a partner in the economic development and stability of their respective communities. The philosophy of the Surgical Technology program is founded on the value attributed to individual students, the surgical field, and technical education.

The Surgical Technology program of study is consistent with the philosophy and purpose of the institution. The program provides academic foundations in communications, mathematics, and human relations, as well as occupational fundamentals. Program graduates are well-trained in the underlying fundamentals of surgical technology and related areas and are well-prepared for employment and subsequent upward mobility.

The Surgical Technology program provides the student with the knowledge and skills to become a qualified entry-level surgical technologist. Important attributes for the success of program graduates are critical thinking, problem-solving, and the application of the training to the work requirement. The present trend in this field is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

The program structure acknowledges individual differences and provides opportunities for students to seek fulfillment of their educational goals. The program does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, handicapping condition, academic disadvantage, or economic disadvantage.

To assist each student to attain his or her respective potential within the program, both the instructor and the students incur an obligation in the learning process. The instructor is a manager of instructional resources and organizes instruction in a manner that promotes learning. The students assume responsibility for learning by actively participating in the learning process.

This is a dynamic field that requires attention to the current curriculum and up-to-date instructional equipment. The Surgical Technology program must promote the concepts of change as the profession evolves. The need for nurturing the spirit of involvement and lifelong learning is paramount in the surgical technology field and related areas.

STUDENT MINIMUM EXPECTATIONS AND OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of the Surgical Technology Program, the student will be able to function as an entry level surgical technologist competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains by demonstrating the following:

1. A working knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and microbiology while understanding the relationship between theories and practice in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. (Cognitive)
2. Application of the principles of aseptic technique, sterile technique, surgical patient care, sterilization, and disinfection. (Cognitive)
3. An understanding and proper use of medical terminology. (Cognitive)
4. Understanding of the action and use of anesthetic agents, medications, and fluids, and the patient’s responses to them during the perioperative experience. (Cognitive)
5. The knowledge of the specific duties and limitations as a first scrub, second scrub, and assisting the circulator. (Cognitive)
6. An understanding of employment opportunities available in related fields. (Cognitive)
7. Understanding the legal and ethical responsibilities of a surgical technologist. (Cognitive)
8. Recognizing the surgical patient as an individual, and both the physical and psychological impact the surgical procedure will have on the surgical patient. (Cognitive)
9. Accurately apply the knowledge and skills of a professional Surgical Technologist to address the biophysical needs of the surgical patient. (Cognitive)
10. Skill in assisting the surgeon in conjunction with the organization of time, movement, and materials while demonstrating strict aseptic technique. (Psychomotor)
11. Proficiency in performing surgical procedures by organizing responsibilities efficiently and accurately and by anticipating the needs of the members of the Operating Room team and the patient. (Psychomotor)
12. Implementation of effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills when interacting with the surgical patient and OR team members. (Psychomotor)
13. The ability to control patient and hospital costs through correct, safe, economical use of equipment supplies, and time. (Psychomotor)
14. Accuracy, integrity, self-reliance, cooperative teamwork, flexibility, and adaptability at all times while in the OR setting. (Affective)
15. Manual dexterity and the ability to manage stressful situations that will allow quick and accurate responses in emergent and non-emergent situations that may occur. (Affective)
16. The ability to function cooperatively as a member of the OR team and recognition of the importance of the OR teamwork concept. (Affective)
17. Acquire an understanding of personal responsibility and personal accountability. (Affective)
18. The ability to function successfully as a surgical team member with mental effort, accuracy, speed, and emotional stability. (Affective)
19. Value the professional attributes of the Surgical Technologist. (Affective)

Clinical case requirements

The student must complete a total number of 120 cases. Students are required to complete 30 cases in the General Surgery specialty. Twenty of the cases must be in the First Scrub Role. Students are required to complete 90 cases in various surgical specialties. Sixty of the cases must be in the First Scrub Role and evenly distributed between a minimum of five surgical specialties. However, 15 is the maximum number of cases that can be counted in any one surgical specialty. Diagnostic endoscopy cases and vaginal delivery cases are not mandatory, but up to 10 diagnostic endoscopic cases and five vaginal delivery cases can be counted toward the maximum number of Second Scrub Role cases. Cases that are in the Observation role must be documented but do not count towards the minimum of 120 total cases.

Program Admission Guides

Please review the program admission guide to ensure your eligibility prior to applying below.

• Surgical Services A.S. Admission Guide
• Essential Functions
• Occupational Hazards Surgical Services

Health Programs Application

Application Windows