Surgical Technology, AAS (ST13) (510909)  Degree


Campus Locations: Thomasville, Tifton

The surgical technology degree program prepares entry-level surgical technologists who are competent in cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession. The program provides learning opportunities that introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and technical knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement in surgical technology. In addition, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in surgical technology. Graduates of the program receive a surgical technology associate of applied science degree and are qualified for employment as a surgical technologist, as well as eligible to sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

Length of Program: Two (2) semester of prerequisite courses, Three (3) semesters of occupational courses

Entrance Date: Prerequisite Courses open; however, all prerequisite/competitive admission courses (ALHS 1090 – Medical Terminology for Allied Health, BIOL 2113 – Anatomy & Physiology I, BIOL 2113L – Anatomy & Physiology Lab I, BIOL 2114 – Anatomy & Physiology II, BIOL 2114L – Anatomy & Physiology Lab II, BIOL 2117 – Microbiology, BIOL 2117L – Microbiology Lab, ENGL 1101 – Composition and Rhetoric, one natural science/mathematics – MATH 1100, MATH 1101, MATH 1103, or MATH 1111, one humanities, one social science, and one general education elective) must be successfully completed with a minimum grade of a “C”, prior to competitive program admission deadline.

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

Entrance Requirements: 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.

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, Associate of Applied Science. Eligible to apply for a national certification examination.

Credits Required for Graduation: 77 minimum semester hour credits required for graduation.

CAAHEP Accreditation: Outcomes Assessment Exam (OAE) Results for 2018 Annual Reporting Period:

Thomasville Campus – 71%
​Tifton Campus – 50%

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.

Cost
Books: $896.56
Fees: $326.00
Tuition: $1,500.00
Total: $2,722.56
Books: $630.10
Fees: $301.00
Tuition: $1,200.00
Total: $2,131.10
Books: $485.10
Fees: $501.00
Tuition: $1,500.00
Total: $2,486.10
Books: $134.90
Fees: $466.00
Tuition: $1,200.00
Total: $1,800.90
Books: $59.50
Fees: $670.00
Tuition: $1,200.00
Total: $1,929.50
Curriculum Outline (75 hours)
1: General Education Courses (15 Hours) 15
Area I: Language Arts/Communications (3 Hours) 3
ENGL 1101

Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.

3
Area II: Social/Behavioral Sciences 3
Area III: Natural Sciences/Mathematics (3 Hours) 3
Area IV: Humanities/Fine Arts (3 Hours) 3
and an additional course from Area I, II, III and IV (3 Hours)(as approved by program advisor) 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 (57 Hours) 57
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
BIOL 2113

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): BIOL 2113L, ENGL 1101 Introduces the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Emphasis is placed on the development of a systemic perspective of anatomical structures and physiological processes. Topics include body organization, cell structure and functions, tissue classifications, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous and sensory systems.

3
BIOL 2113L

Co-requisite(s): BIOL 2113: ENGL 1101 Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2113. The laboratory exercises for this course include body organization, cell structure and functions, tissue classifications, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous sensory systems.

1
BIOL 2114

Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L Co-Requisite(s): BIOL 2114L Continues the study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Topics include the endocrine system, cardiovascular system, blood and lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

3
BIOL 2114L

Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 2113 and BIOL 2113L Co-Requisite(s): BIOL 2114 Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2114. The laboratory exercises for this course include the endocrine system, cardiovascular system, blood and lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

1
BIOL 2117

Pre-requisite(s): (BIOL 2113 and BIOL 2113L) OR (BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1111L) Co-Requisite(s): BIOL 2117L Provides students with a foundation in basic microbiology with emphasis on infectious disease. Topics include microbial diversity, microbial cell biology, microbial genetics, interactions and impact of microorganisms and humans, and microorganisms and human disease.

3
BIOL 2117L

Pre-requisite(s): (BIOL 2113 and BIOL 2113L) OR (BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1111L) Co-Requisite(s): BIOL 2117 Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2117. The laboratory exercises for this course include microbial diversity, microbial cell biology, microbial genetics, interactions and impact of microorganisms and humans, and microorganisms and human disease.

1
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 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 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.

9
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.

5
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 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.))

5
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
School of Health Sciences
Tifton

15689 US Highway 19 N, Thomasville, GA 31792
Up one level
Programs of Study