Surgical Technology (A.A.S.)

Purpose

The Surgical Technology AAS Program is designed to prepare graduates to function as a healthcare team member under the supervision of registered professional nurses or licensed physicians. Students learn to prepare the operating room, instruments, equipment and the patient for surgical intervention as well as acquire operating room surgical technology skills in accordance to maintain optimal sterile technique. This program integrates theory, laboratory simulations and clinical experiences to achieve competence. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has accredited this program. Additional information regarding CAAHEP can be obtained by contacting the organization directly at 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL  33756, telephone (727) 210-2350. Graduates are eligible to complete the national certifying examination administered by the National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assistants (NBSTSA).

Surgical Technology AAS graduates are able to seek employment in physician office procedure rooms, freestanding ambulatory units, delivery rooms, sterile processing areas, and acute and critical care facilities. Many surgical technologists are directly employed by surgeons and may choose to specialize in certain types of surgery. Others become sale representatives for companies and manufacturers of surgical equipment and supplies.

Admissions Guidelines

Students who wish to be considered for admission to the Surgical Technology AAS Program must present credentials in accordance with the following requirements.

  1. Submit a completed College application earmarking Surgical Technology AAS (SR.GS) as the major.
  2. Submit a completed Admission Petition.
  3. Submit high school transcript or GED scores. Applicants must have completed at least one year of biology and chemistry, and two years of mathematics including one unit of algebra or equivalent. Applicants without high school biology and/or chemistry can satisfy this requirements by completing BIO 121 or CHE 121 with grades of "C" or better within 10 years of enrolling in SUR courses.
  4. Submit official college transcript(s), if applicable.
  5. Take College placement tests in English, Mathematics, and Reading and place above the developmental level prior to enrolling in SUR courses.

The Surgical Technology AAS Program accepts students each academic year, Fall semester. Due to class limitations, the College does not guarantee continuous enrollment between non-SUR and SUR courses. All students must complete the Surgical Technology AAS Program within four academic years of the date of initial enrollment in the program.

Eligibility for readmission and/or transfer to the Surgical Technology AAS Program is based upon space availability as well as meeting specified requirements. Note: Graduates of MCCC's Surgical Technology Certificate Program can transfer applicable courses to the AAS Program of Study for those courses completed within 5 years of AAS matriculation. Upon request, information is available from the program administrator.

Program Requirements

Once accepted into the Surgical Technology AAS Program, students are required to:

  1. purchase all required textbooks, manuals, supplemental supplies, uniforms, and liability insurance.

  2. assume all responsibility for transportation to and from extramural assignments including clinical experiences.

  3. obtain and maintain current CPR certification in certification American Heart Association: CPR for the Healthcare Provider or American Red Cross: CPR for the Professional Rescuer.

  4. have a comprehensive physical examination within six months of Program matriculation and annually thereafter.

  5. submit application for Child Abuse History Clearance and Criminal Record Check every two years.

All BIO, CHE, SOC, and SUR courses must be taken and successfully completed (grade "C" or better) in the sequence listed. Each semester is the building block for the following semester; therefore, each course in a given semester serves as a co-requisite for all other courses in that same semester. Concurrently, each semester serves as the prerequisite for continuing into the next semester block of courses.

Curriculum

Semester I

BIO 131

Anatomy & Physiology I

4 Credits

BIO 140

Microbiology & Immunology

4 Credits

PEH

Elective

2-3 Credits

SUR 105
(17-18 Credit Hours)

Surgical Technology I

7 Credits

Semester II

BIO 132

Anatomy & Physiology II

4 Credits

ENG 101

English Composition I

3 Credits

SUR 106
(15 Credit Hours)

Surgical Technology II

8 Credits

Semester III

ENG 102, 115, or 117

English

3 Credits

SPC 110

Fundamentals of Speech

3 Credits

SUR 205
(16 Credit Hours)

Surgical Technology III

10 Credits

Semester IV

HIS 103, 105, or 107

History of Western Civ.

3 Credits

SOC 244

Sociology of Death and Dying

3 Credits

SUR 206
(15 Credit Hours)

Surgical Technology IV

9 Credits

TOTAL A.A.S. PROGRAM * CREDIT HOURS: 63-64

* Program is consecutive and continues through the Summer.

Revised: 12/2005