Surgical Technology, Diploma (ST12) (510909)  Diploma


Campus Locations: Thomasville, Tifton

The Surgical Technology, Diploma program prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in the surgical field. The Surgical Technology, Diploma program provides learning opportunities which introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and technical knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in Surgical Technology. Graduates of the program receive a Surgical Technology diploma and are qualified for employment as surgical technologists.

Length of Program: One (1) semester of prerequisite courses, Three (3) semesters of occupational courses

Student Learning Outcomes:

  • Students will maintain sterility while opening a sterile package, sterile basin, sterile instrument tray, and a sterile wrapped item.
  • Students will demonstrate the correct surgical hand scrub procedure.
  • Students will enter into the OR and function with proper aseptic techniques.
  • Students will pass instruments in the OR in assisting the surgical team.
  • Students will maintain patient safety in the OR with minimal or no assistance.

Program Admission: Tifton – Fall Semester; Thomasville - Fall Semester

Entrance Requirements: Prerequisite courses are as follows: English 1010, Math 1012, Psych 1010, ALHS 1011 and ALHS 1090. Entry into this program is based on competitive admissions criteria. Contact the program advisor or admissions for details. Completion of prerequisite courses does not guarantee admission into the program. For further details, Please see the Competitive Admissions Criteria. Click for Entrance Score Requirements.

Surgical Technology Competitive Admissions Criteria Requirements:

Age: Applicant must be 18 years of age prior to first clinical course.

Education: An applicant must be a high school graduate or the equivalent (GED). College transcripts will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Advisor: A Program Advisor should be consulted prior to enrolling in any course. An advisor will be assigned by admissions.

Additional Requirements: American Heart Healthcare Provider CPR Certification, Physical Exam, Criminal Background Check, and Drug Toxicology. All may be required to be successfully passed, as prescribed by the clinical institutions.

Note: Those who have been arrested/convicted of a moral and/or legal violation of the law may not be granted permission to take the certification examination. Surgical Techs seeking this degree or transferring students must provide proof of graduation from an accredited program or proof of valid national certification.

Program Final Exit Point: Surgical Technology Diploma. Eligible to apply for a national certification examination.

Credits Required for Graduation: 60 minimum semester hour credits required for graduation.

CAAHEP Accreditation: Outcomes Assessment Exam (OAE) Results for 2017 Annual Reporting Period:

Thomasville Campus – 90%
​Tifton Campus – 90%

Accreditation Information: The Surgical Technical Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, Florida 33756, Phone: 727-210-2350, www.caahep.org, upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, 6 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 210, Littleton, Colorado 80120-8031, hone: 303-694-9262, Fax: 303-741-3655, www.arcstsa.org.

Gainful Employment Information
Cost
Books: $696.90
Fees: $309.00
Tuition: $1,335.00
Total: $2,340.90
Books: $399.70
Fees: $459.00
Tuition: $1,157.00
Total: $2,015.70
Books: $284.90
Fees: $339.00
Tuition: $1,157.00
Total: $1,780.90
Books: $59.50
Fees: $593.00
Tuition: $1,068.00
Total: $1,720.50
Curriculum Outline (60 hours)
1: Basic Sills Courses (9 Hours) 9
ENGL 1010

Co-requisite(s): Entrance exam reading and writing scores in accordance with approved TCSG admission score levels or ENGL 0090. Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.

3
PSYC 1010

Pre-requisite(s): Entrance exam reading and writing scores in accordance with approved TCSG admission score levels Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatments, stress and health, and social psychology.

3
and one of the following (3 Hours) 3
MATH 1012

Co-requisite(s): Appropriate Placement Test Score or appropriate learning support exit point, or MATH 0090. Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, geometric concepts, technical applications, and basic statistics.

3
MATH 1013

Pre-requisite(s): Appropriate Placement Test Score Emphasizes concepts and operations which are applied to the study of algebra. Topics include basic mathematical concepts, basic algebraic concepts, and intermediate algebraic concepts.

3
MATH 1015

Pre-requisite(s): MATH 1013 Emphasizes basic geometric and trigonometric concepts. Topics include measurement conversion, geometric terminology and measurements, and trigonometric terminology and functions.

3
2: Institutional Credit (3 hours) 3
COLL 1500

This course is designed to provide tools to assist students to acquire skills necessary to achieve academic and professional success in their chosen occupational/ technical program of study. Topics include: Getting off to a Good Start, Learning and Personality Styles, Time and Money Management, Study and Test Taking Skills, Stress Management and Wellness, Communications Skills, Career Exploration, Research Skills, College Campus Knowledge, Memory & Reading Skills, Presentation & Interview Skills, and Group Skills. Effective Fall 2016, students who already have an Associate Degree or higher will be given exemption credit for the COLL 1500 course.

3
3: Occupational Courses (48 hours) 48
ALHS 1090

Pre-requisite(s): Provisional Admission Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.

2
ALHS 1011

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

5
SURG 1010

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Provides an overview of the surgical technology profession and develops the fundamental concepts and principles necessary to successfully participate on a surgical team. Topics include: orientation to surgical technology; biomedical principles; asepsis and the surgical environment; basic instrumentation and equipment; principles of the sterilization process; application of sterilization principles; and minimally invasive surgery. ((There are surgical procedures that are similar as far as procedural steps, instrumentation, supplies, patient position, etc. This is referred to as the ôCo-Related Procedures Concept.ö The purpose of using the Co-Related Procedures Concept is to provide the instructor additional time to teach surgical procedures as well as avoid repetition.))

8
SURG 1020

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Provides continued study of surgical team participation by wound management and technological sciences for the operating room. Topics include: biophysical diversities and needs; pre-operative routine; intra-operative routine; wound management; post-operative patient care; and outpatient surgical procedures.

7
SURG 1080

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Introduces the fundamentals of surgical microbiology. Topics include: historical development of microbiology; microscopes; cell structure and theory; microbial function and classification; human and pathogen relationships, infectious processes and terminology; defense mechanisms; infection control and principles of microbial control and destruction.

2
SURG 1100

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Introduces the fundamentals of intraoperative pharmacology, and emphasizes concepts of anesthesia administration. Topics include: weights and measurements, drug conversions, interpretation of drug orders, legal aspects of drug administration, intraoperative pharmacologic agents, and anesthesia fundamentals.

2
SURG 2030

Co-requisites(s): SURG 2110, SURG 2120 Introduces the core general procedures, including the following: incisions; wound closure; operative pathology; and common complications as applied to general and specialty surgery. Topics include: introduction to surgical procedures; general surgery and special techniques; obstetrical and gynecological surgery; gastrointestinal surgery; genitourinary surgery; otorhinolaryngologic surgery; and orthopedic surgery.

4
SURG 2040

Pre-requisite(s): SURG 2030, SURG 2110, SURG 2120 Co-requisite(s): SURG 2130, SURG 2140, SURG 2240 Continues development of student knowledge and skills applicable to specialty surgery areas. Topics include: ophthalmic surgery; thoracic surgery; vascular surgery; cardiovascular surgery; neurosurgery; and plastic and reconstructive surgery. ((There are surgical procedures that are similar as far as procedural steps, instrumentation, supplies, patient position, etc. This is referred to as the ôCo-Related Procedures Concept.ö The purpose of using the Co-Related Procedures Concept is to provide the instructor additional time to teach surgical procedures as well as avoid repetition.))

4
SURG 2110

Co-requisite(s): SURG 2030, SURG 2120 Orients students to the clinical environment and provides experience with basic skills necessary to the surgical technologist. Topics include, but are not limited to: scrubbing, gowning, gloving, and draping; assistance with patient care; processing of instruments and supplies; maintenance of a sterile field; and environmental sanitation. In addition, introduces the development of surgical team participation through clinical experience. Emphasis is placed on observation and/or participation in routine procedures for core and specialty surgery. Topics include: general surgery (to include gastrointestinal), cardiothoracic surgery, otorhinolaryngologic surgery (ENT), ophthalmic surgery (Eye), genitourinary surgery, neurological surgery, obstetrical and gynecological surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopedic surgery, peripheral vascular surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and procurement/transplant surgery. The total number of cases the student must complete is 120. 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 5 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 5 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 cases.

3
SURG 2120

Co-requisite(s): SURG 2030, SURG 2110 Orients students to the clinical environment and provides experience with basic skills necessary to the surgical technologist. Topics include, but are not limited to: scrubbing, gowning, gloving, and draping; assistance with patient care; processing of instruments and supplies; maintenance of a sterile field; and environmental sanitation. In addition, introduces the development of surgical team participation through clinical experience. Emphasis is placed on observation/ participation in routine procedures and procedures for core and specialty surgery. Topics include: general surgery (to include gastrointestinal), cardiothoracic surgery, otorhinolaryngologic surgery (ENT), ophthalmic surgery (Eye) , genitourinary surgery, neurological surgery, obstetrical and gynecological surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopedic surgery, peripheral vascular surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and procurement/transplant surgery. The total number of cases the student must complete is 120. 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 5 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 5 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 cases.

3
SURG 2130

Pre-requisite(s): SURG 2030, SURG 2110, SURG 2120 Co-requisite(s): SURG 2040, SURG 2140, SURG 2240 Orients students to the clinical environment and provides experience with basic skills necessary to the surgical technologist. Topics include, but are not limited to: scrubbing, gowning, gloving, and draping; assistance with patient care; processing of instruments and supplies; maintenance of a sterile field; and environmental sanitation. In addition, introduces the development of surgical team participation through clinical experience. Emphasis is placed on observation/ participation in routine procedures and procedures for core and specialty surgery. Topics include: general surgery (to include gastrointestinal), cardiothoracic surgery, otorhinolaryngologic surgery (ENT), ophthalmic surgery (Eye) , genitourinary surgery, neurological surgery, obstetrical and gynecological surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopedic surgery, peripheral vascular surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and procurement/transplant surgery. The total number of cases the student must complete is 120. 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 5 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 5 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 cases.

3
SURG 2140

Pre-requisite(s): SURG 2030, SURG 2110, SURG 2120 Co-requisite(s): SURG 2040, SURG 2130, SURG 2240 Orients students to the clinical environment and provides experience with basic skills necessary to the surgical technologist. Topics include, but are not limited to: scrubbing, gowning, gloving, and draping; assistance with patient care; processing of instruments and supplies; maintenance of a sterile field; and environmental sanitation. In addition, introduces the development of surgical team participation through clinical experience. Emphasis is placed on observation/ participation in routine procedures and procedures for core and specialty surgery. Topics include: general surgery (to include gastrointestinal), cardiothoracic surgery, otorhinolaryngologic surgery (ENT), ophthalmic surgery (Eye) , genitourinary surgery, neurological surgery, obstetrical and gynecological surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopedic surgery, peripheral vascular surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and procurement/transplant surgery. The total number of cases the student must complete is 120. 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 5 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 5 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 cases.

3
SURG 2240

Pre-requisite(s): SURG 2030, SURG 2110, SURG 2120 Co-requisite(s): SURG 2040, SURG 2130, SURG 2140 Prepares students for entry into careers as surgical technologists and enables them to effectively prepare for the national certification examination. Topics include: professional credentialing, certification review, and test-taking skills.

2
Faculty
Program Chair

Surgical Technology Program Chair

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