Montgomery County Community College

Surgical Technology Certificate

Purpose

The Surgical Technology Certificate 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. Surgical Technology Certificate students will complete the national certifying examination administered by The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) prior to graduation.

Surgical Technology Certificate 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.

Program Goals

The Surgical Technology Certificate Program prepares competent healthcare providers to perform the role within the operative team, while delivering care to patients from the community given the following surgical environments: General, Colon Rectal, Gynecology, Plastic cosmetic or Reconstructive, Neurosurgery, Minor Orthopedic, ENT, Eye, Maxillo Facial, Vascular, Urology Endoscopic or Open, and Thoracic Surgery.

Upon completion of the Program, graduates will be able to:

• Employ appropriate ethical and professional values when providing surgical technology services to diverse populations.
• Perform necessary activities to prepare patients for surgery utilizing the principles of aseptic technique, critical thinking, and problem solving in order to adapt to the changing surgical environment.
• Demonstrate the ability to prioritize and organize the surgical field, while considering the physiology and urgency of the patient care needs.
• Incorporate technical skills to assemble and operate instruments, equipment, and supplies for the delivery of patient care during basic surgical procedures.
• Correlate the knowledge from the required courses within this program to the role of the surgical technologist in caring for diverse clients.
• Communicate clearly and effectively utilizing the most current research tools.
• Utilize knowledge as basis for potential AAS degree matriculation.
• Meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the national certifying examination administered by the AST with additional documented clinical experience.

Admission Guidelines

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

• Submit a completed College application earmarking Surgical Technology Certificate (C.SR.GS.) as the major.
• Submit a completed Admission Petition.
• 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 the requirements by completing BIO 121 and/or CHE 121 with grades of "C" or better within 10 years of enrolling in SUR courses.
• Submit official college transcript(s), if applicable.
• Take College placement tests in English, Mathematics, and Reading and place above the developmental level prior to enrolling in SUR courses.
• Obtain Employment/Student Work Policy.

The Surgical Technology Certificate 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 Certificate Program within two academic years of the date of initial enrollment in the program. Eligibility for readmission and/or transfer to the Surgical Technology Certificate Program is based upon space availability as well as meeting specified requirements. Upon request, information is available from the program administrator.

Program Requirements

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

• purchase all required textbooks, manuals, supplemental supplies, uniforms, and liability insurance.
• assume all responsibility for transportation to and from extramural assignments including clinical experiences.
• obtain and maintain current CPR certification in American Heart Association: CPR for the Healthcare Provider or American Red Cross: CPR for the Professional Rescuer.
• have a comprehensive physical examination within six months of Program matriculation and annually thereafter.
• submit application for Child Abuse History Clearance and Criminal Record Check every two years.

All BIO, CHE, and SUR courses must be taken and successfully completed (grade "C" or better) in the sequence listed. Each semester provides 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.

Curriculum

First Semester

Second Semester

Third Semester

TOTAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM CREDIT HOURS: 37 *

* Program is consecutive and continues through the Summer.

Revised: 12/2005