Surgical Technology (D45740) Diploma

The Surgical Technology curriculum prepares individuals to assist in the care of the
surgical patient in the operating room and to function as a member of the surgical team.

Students will apply theoretical knowledge to the care of patients undergoing surgery and
develop skills necessary to prepare supplies, equipment, and instruments; maintain aseptic
conditions; prepare patients for surgery; and assist surgeons during operations.

Graduates of this program will be eligible to apply to take the Liaison Council’s
Certification Examination for Surgical Technologists. Employment opportunities include
labor/delivery/emergency departments, inpatient/outpatient surgery centers, dialysis units/
facilities, physicians’ offices, and central supply processing units.

Admissions Criteria
The Surgical Technology program has admission criteria beyond the regular requirements
of RCC. Individuals interested in this program are required to meet with the Surgical
Technology Program Director and to obtain a Surgical Technology Admission
Information packet from the Student Development Office. Related and general
education courses that are part of the surgical technology curriculum may be taken before
surgical technology (SUR) courses and before the sequence time in the catalog; however,
courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better and not adversely aff ect the
required GPA of 2.0. A student must not fall behind the sequence of the curriculum plan
stated in the catalog. A “D” grade in any SUR curriculum course will cause the student to
fall behind the sequence of the curriculum plan and no longer be eligible for continuation
in the program.

The surgical technology program is a limited-enrollment program. Eligible applicants are
admitted on a space available basis to the program in the fall semester, provided they have
met both general and program admission requirements.

Individuals who are interested in the program must obtain a Surgical Technology Admission
Information packet from the Student Development Office. Once a student has completed
all requirements noted on the check sheet, he/she may submit the Review Form and any
required documentation to the Student Development Office.

There are two review period deadlines – October for the first review period and February
for the final review. Incomplete Review Forms or forms submitted after these deadlines will
not be considered. Applicants who are reviewed and are found ineligible for consideration
for the current year’s class must submit a new Review Form and required documentation for
the next year’s class.

The following are required after acceptance into the program:
1. Submit completed Health History, immunization, and physical exam form.
2. Send letter of intention to accept place in the program to Student Development
Office and to Program Director.
3. Complete minimum of 2 hours of observation in an operating room as arranged by
program director.
4. Attend program orientation and submit:
a. Signed statement of Understanding Concerning Acceptance for Clinical Training
b. Signed statement of Understanding Concerning Physical and Mental Health Status
Compatible to Provide Safe Care;
c. Completed medical forms with required immunizations to include tetanus, polio,
and Hepatitis B (series may be completed or in process) TB screening, rubella
vaccination or positive rubella titer, and varicella vaccination or positive titer.
d. Current CPR card (American Heart Association).
5. Any student without completed documents by deadlines in written correspondence
will not be eligible for entry and an alternate will be invited to enter in that student’s
place.
6. Once admitted into the surgical technology program, drug testing and a criminal
background check will be required before a student is allowed to participate in clinical
activities. Clinical affiliates may deny a student access to its facilities based on the fi nding
of the criminal record check. Drug screening policies will be reviewed at the onset of the
program. Positive drug screens may result in dismissal from the program.

Prior Biology Courses
In order to receive credit, curriculum biology courses (BIO 163 and BIO 175) that have
been taken previously must have been completed with a “C” or better within seven calendar
years of the start date of the program.

Transfer Applicants
1. Transfer into the Surgical Technology program, when space is available, is limited
to applicants who:
a. Meet the Rockingham Community College admissions requirements
b. Have been enrolled in a Surgical Technology program in another institution
c. Have left or will leave another Surgical Technology program in good standing
2. Courses from technical institutes, colleges, and universities will be accepted if a grade of
“C’’ or above has been achieved and if the courses are compatible to those offered at
RCC.
3. Surgical Technology courses completed will be evaluated and transfer credit determined
by the Surgical Technology Program Director. Based on the evaluation of transfer credit,
the program of study will be determined by the program faculty members.
4. Other transfer applicants to the Surgical Technology program may transfer to the
college and then proceed through the regular admission process for entry into the
Surgical Technology program.

Probation and Dismissal
1. The Surgical Technology student must meet the academic standards of the college. In
addition, the following academic standards are required:
a. Minimum grade of “C’’ or better in all Surgical Technology Program curriculum
courses.
b. Lab experiences are graded satisfactory (S) or unsatisfactory (U). More specific
performance requirements are listed in each course syllabus. The student will not be
able to progress unless a satisfactory grade is attained in the lab regardless of the theory
grade.
c. The student must not fall behind the sequence of the curriculum plan for SUR
or BIO courses as outlined in the college catalog.
2. Probation applies to a Surgical Technology student who does not meet the standards
in section 1A above but is able to continue the sequence of the curriculum plan with the
exception of courses listed in 1C. A student will remain on probation until the course in
question is successfully completed with a “C” or better.
3. Dismissal applies to a Surgical Technology student who does not meet the standards
in sections 1B and 1C.
4. Nonacademic Dismissal – Students in the Surgical Technology program can be
dismissed for academic or non-academic reasons. Students should refer to the Surgical
Technology Handbook for Students in the Surgical Technology Program given to
each student during the Surgical Technology orientation session for specific reasons for
dismissal.

Readmission
Because of the content and organization of the program of study, withdrawal and
academic dismissal should be avoided. However, should withdrawal or academic dismissal
become necessary, readmission will be allowed one time only. Students may be readmitted
if they meet all the standards for any student admission, and the readmission is accepted by
the Surgical Technology faculty.

Prior to readmission to the Surgical Technology Program, students will be required to
audit or repeat all surgical technology courses taken during the last semester they were
enrolled in the program. Successful audit involves attendance in class, taking quizzes, tests
and exams, attending required labs, completion of the skills by the designated date, and
attainment of a minimum average grade of “C” or satisfactory in class/lab and clinical work.
Students may not be readmitted to the program if previous dismissal was disciplinary in
nature.

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS—44

The Surgical Technology student should be prepared to incur additional expenses.
Along with tuition, activity fees, and books, these include: (estimated)
Medical exam $100
Hepatitis B Shots $150-200
Drug Screen $30 (fall semester only)
Malpractice insurance $16
Lab coat & name tag $25-35
Shoes $50
Scrubs $40
Pin (optional) $25-100 (depending on
student choice)
Testing fees $60
Criminal Background Check $26-40 (fall semester only)
Certification exam $240

General Education Core for Technologies
Humanities Electives

Technologies Graduation Note: It is the policy of the College that at least 25 percent
of the Semester Credit Hours required for graduation be taken at RCC. A Quality
Point Average of 2.0 or better is required for graduation in each program of study.

Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees are not designed for students who
transfer to senior colleges and universities. However, for some AAS programs of
study RCC has developed transfer articulation agreements with local colleges and
universities. AAS degree students are responsible for letting their advisor know they are
interested in transferring and getting information on articulated programs. Students
should also review university entrance requirements for transfer and university
graduation requirements with university representatives.

It should be understood that some of the AAS degree courses may transfer to meet
specific degree requirements. The number of credit hours will vary from program
and university. Additional general education course requirements, including foreign
language, may be required by specific programs within the university. Placement
testing may also be required by the university at the time of transfer.

RCC advisors cannot be responsible for university degree requirements based on the
transfer student’s university catalog since the catalog will not be published until after
the student graduates from RCC. Students need to carefully review the articulation
agreement transfer work sheets and compare them to the college transfer AA, AFA, and
AS Programs of Study to determine which program best meets their academic needs.