Surgical Technology, AAS
An Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology degree offers students a rewarding opportunity to combine the knowledge of human anatomy and physiology with expertise in the theory and application of aseptic techniques, instrumentation, and surgical procedures. The Surgical Technologist works with highly technical equipment and assists with invasive, therapeutic, and diagnostic procedures. Under the supervision of a surgeon, surgical technologists function as a vital member of the health care team responsible for ensuring that the equipment is functioning properly and the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Additionally, the Surgical Technologist supervises the placement, care, and utilization of surgical instruments. This program requires 67 credits that include 37 credits of major area courses and 30 credits of liberal arts and sciences. Students will be provided the opportunity to work directly with health professionals while training.
Program Mission
The mission of the Surgical Technology AAS degree program is to prepare individuals for success in work and in life by providing exemplary surgical technology education.
Program Vision
Our vision is to meet the needs of our twenty-first century health system by providing exemplary surgical technology education and training opportunities to the workforce of the future.
Program Level Objectives for students completing the AAS in Surgical Technology are as follows:
- Demonstrate the knowledge of the role and scope of practice of a Surgical Technologist (cognitive domain).
- Demonstrate knowledge of the legal and ethical guidelines of the profession (cognitive domain).
- Apply legal, ethical, and safe practice standards in academic and clinical settings (cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains).
- Apply knowledge of instrumentation, safety guidelines, and aseptic techniques to surgical procedures during perioperative care (cognitive and psychomotor domains).
- Demonstrate safe practices according to the standards of professional healthcare organizations with regard to the patient and members of the Surgical Team (cognitive and psychomotor domains).
- Apply knowledge and skills of a professional Surgical Technologist to address the biopsychosocial needs of the surgical patient (cognitive and affective domains).
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with all members of the health care team (cognitive and affective domains).
Program Goals
To graduate individuals of the highest quality who are prepared to enter the healthcare profession as competent, entry-level surgical technologists with advanced cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. To achieve these goals and to meet the Surgical Technology program learning outcomes, each graduate will be able to meet program goals in the cognitive domain, psychomotor domain, and affective domain, as follows:
Cognitive Domain
The student will:
- become an integral part of a surgical team providing care to the patient undergoing surgical intervention.
- understand the fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, and Infectious Process and relate these to safe patient care practices. Identify commonly found pathologies.
- understand the principles of safe patient care in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative settings.
- recognize the Surgical Technologist’s independent role with the other team members and ancillary service providers.
- obtain, review, and integrate pertinent patient data to facilitate optimum surgical results.
- demonstrate critical thinking skills during the performance of surgical procedures to provide optimum surgical outcomes.
- recognize the value of continued professional and personal growth by participating in education and professional activities and the sharing of knowledge with colleagues.
Psychomotor Domain
The student will:
- develop and apply fundamental surgical-assisting skills through practice and evaluation in clinical settings.
- effectively and accurately apply the principles of asepsis across the range of common surgical experiences.
- apply standard precautions and other recognized safe practice guidelines in all surgical settings.
- prepare and perform surgical procedures appropriately and accurately record all intra-operative information for interpretation by the attending physician(s).
- document and present surgical findings/specimen(s) to the attending physician in order to facilitate patient diagnosis.
- maintain optimal function of the surgical equipment.
- assist attending physician during invasive and non-invasive procedures.
- assist the surgical team in transporting/moving patients.
Affective Domain
The student will:
- appreciate the variety of patients' needs and the impact of their personal, physical, emotional, and cultural experiences in providing patient care.
- demonstrate professional responsibility in performance, attitude, and personal conduct; and act in a professional manner within recognized ethical and legal standards.
- provide optimal compassionate patient care and education within the confines of the healthcare community to promote overall well-being.
- demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed for success in healthcare/surgery.
- demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning.
For information on the admission requirements for this program, visit Surgical Technology Admission Requirements
Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major-Related Courses | ||
| HC-126 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| HC-208 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| ST-101 | Introduction to Surgical Technology | 3 |
| ST-151 | Orientation to Perioperative Services | 4 |
| ST-154 | Surgical Procedures I | 5 |
| ST-155 | Surgical Procedures II | 5 |
| ST-186 | Surgical Procedures III | 3 |
| ST-201 | Surgical Technology Practicum I | 4 |
| ST-211 | Surgical Technology Practicum II | 4 |
| ST-220 | Pharmacology and Anesthesia | 3 |
| Major-Related Courses Subtotal | 37 | |
| General Education and Related Courses | ||
| EN-111 | College Writing and Critical Analysis | 3 |
| EN-121 | Analytical Thinking, Writing & Research | 3 |
| LA-101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| LA-122 | Fundamentals of Communication | 3 |
| LA-ELE | Liberal Arts Elective | 3 |
| MA-115 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| SC-114 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| SC-114L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| SC-116 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| SC-116L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| SC-118 | Principles of Microbiology | 3 |
| SC-118L | Principles of Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| General Education and Related Courses Subtotal | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 67 | |
Academic Requirements
- A grade of “C” or better is required in the following courses for progression in the major: ST-101 Introduction to Surgical Technology, ST-151 Orientation to Perioperative Services, ST-154 Surgical Procedures I, ST-155 Surgical Procedures II, ST-186 Surgical Procedures III, ST-201 Surgical Technology Practicum I, ST-211 Surgical Technology Practicum II, ST-220 Pharmacology and Anesthesia, HC-126 Medical Terminology, SC-114 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, SC-114L Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab, SC-116 Human Anatomy and Physiology II , SC-116L Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab, HC-208 Pathophysiology, MA-115 Quantitative Reasoning, SC-118 Principles of Microbiology , and SC-118L Principles of Microbiology Lab.
Recommended Sequence
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| HC-126 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| SC-114 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| SC-114L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| ST-101 | Introduction to Surgical Technology | 3 |
| ST-151 | Orientation to Perioperative Services | 4 |
| MA-115 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| HC-208 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| SC-116 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| SC-116L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| SC-118 | Principles of Microbiology | 3 |
| SC-118L | Principles of Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| ST-154 | Surgical Procedures I | 5 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| ST-155 | Surgical Procedures II | 5 |
| ST-201 | Surgical Technology Practicum I | 4 |
| ST-220 | Pharmacology and Anesthesia | 3 |
| EN-111 | College Writing and Critical Analysis | 3 |
| LA-122 | Fundamentals of Communication | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| ST-186 | Surgical Procedures III | 3 |
| ST-211 | Surgical Technology Practicum II | 4 |
| EN-121 | Analytical Thinking, Writing & Research | 3 |
| LA-101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| LA-ELE | Liberal Arts Elective | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 67 | |