Surgical Technology Diploma (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.
Employment opportunities include labor/delivery/emergency departments, inpatient/outpatient surgery centers, dialysis units/facilities, physicians’ offices, and central supply processing units.
Students of Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited programs are required to take the national certification exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) within 30 days prior to or after graduation.
Admissions Requirements
1. Students must be able to fulfill all Program Performance Standards as outlined in the health sciences admission policy.
2. Student are encouraged to attend a Surgical Technology Information session.
3. Complete minimum admission requirements by the end of April of the admission year.
4. Admission to all RCC Health Science programs is a competitive process. Applicants are evaluated based upon academic performance.
5. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in Surgical Technology general education courses by the published deadline date for submitting Candidate Review Forms to the Admissions Office. Applicants not meeting the cumulative GPA requirements will not be reviewed by the program area for admission.
6. Students must successfully complete the following courses with a “C” or higher before enrolling in the Surgical Technology class: ENG 111 and MED 120
7. Students must successfully complete the following courses with a “C” or higher for the Surgical Technology program: BIO 163, BIO 175, BUS 137, CIS 110, ENG 114, PSY 150, Humanities/Fine Arts elective, and Mathematics elective.
8. All transcripts must be on file in the Admissions Office in order for a student to be considered for admission.
9. Upon program acceptance students must submit to a background check, drug screening and medical review/screen to include physical examination and immunizations. All fees associated with background check, drug screen and medical review are the responsibility of the student.
2. Student are encouraged to attend a Surgical Technology Information session.
3. Complete minimum admission requirements by the end of April of the admission year.
4. Admission to all RCC Health Science programs is a competitive process. Applicants are evaluated based upon academic performance.
5. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in Surgical Technology general education courses by the published deadline date for submitting Candidate Review Forms to the Admissions Office. Applicants not meeting the cumulative GPA requirements will not be reviewed by the program area for admission.
6. Students must successfully complete the following courses with a “C” or higher before enrolling in the Surgical Technology class: ENG 111 and MED 120
7. Students must successfully complete the following courses with a “C” or higher for the Surgical Technology program: BIO 163, BIO 175, BUS 137, CIS 110, ENG 114, PSY 150, Humanities/Fine Arts elective, and Mathematics elective.
8. All transcripts must be on file in the Admissions Office in order for a student to be considered for admission.
9. Upon program acceptance students must submit to a background check, drug screening and medical review/screen to include physical examination and immunizations. All fees associated with background check, drug screen and medical review are the responsibility of the student.
Course Sequence
Surgical Technology Program
| Program Prerequisites: Students admitted to the Surgical Technology must successfully complete the following courses with a “C” or hig her prior to enrolling in the first Surgical Technolog y [SUR] class. | Class | Lab | Clinical | Credit | |
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| MED 120 | Survey of Medical Terminology | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| BIO 163 | Basic Anatomy & Physiology | 4 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| SUR 110 | Introduction to Surgical Technology | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| SUR 111 | Perioperative Patient Care | 5 | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| 12 | 8 | 0 | 15 | ||
| Spring Semester | |||||
| BIO 175 | General Microbiology | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| SUR 122 | Surgical Procedures I | 5 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| SUR 123 | Surgical Clinical Practice I | 0 | 0 | 21 | 7 |
| 7 | 5 | 21 | 16 | ||
| Summer Semester | |||||
| SUR 134 | Surgical Procedures II | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| SUR 135 | Surgical Clinical Practice II | 0 | 0 | 12 | 4 |
| SUR 137 | Professional Success Prep | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 6 | 0 | 12 | 10 | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS: | 46 | ||||
Employment Competencies
Mobility – The surgical technology student should possess physical skills to walk about the clinical site at a brisk pace, stand for extended periods, and lift pans of instruments and boxes of supplies. The surgical technology student should posses the ability to maneuver in small spaces.
Motor Skills – The surgical technology student should possess gross and fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe and effective patient care.
Hearing – The surgical technology student should possess auditory skills sufficient to monitor and assess patient care and safety needs.
Visual – The surgical technology student should possess visual skills sufficient for observation and assessment of the patient, environment, and equipment necessary in providing patient care,
Tactile – The surgical technology student should possess tactile skills sufficient for physical assessment, manipulate surgical instruments or equipment, and detect movement.
Weight -Bearing – The surgical technology student should possess the ability to maneuver and move 40-50 lbs. on a weekly or daily basis.
Motor Skills – The surgical technology student should possess gross and fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe and effective patient care.
Hearing – The surgical technology student should possess auditory skills sufficient to monitor and assess patient care and safety needs.
Visual – The surgical technology student should possess visual skills sufficient for observation and assessment of the patient, environment, and equipment necessary in providing patient care,
Tactile – The surgical technology student should possess tactile skills sufficient for physical assessment, manipulate surgical instruments or equipment, and detect movement.
Weight -Bearing – The surgical technology student should possess the ability to maneuver and move 40-50 lbs. on a weekly or daily basis.
Employment Outlook
Employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 7% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Advances in medical technology have made surgery safer, and more operations are being done to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. In addition, the aging of the large baby-boom generation is expected to increase the need for surgical technologists.
