Surgical Technology Associate of Applied Science

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775-7709 (Phone: 727-210- 2350) in cooperation with the Accreditation Review council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA), 19751 E. Main Street, Suite 339, Parker, CO 80138 (Phone: 303-694-9262)

Program Overview:

Surgical technology is an exciting and rewarding healthcare career that places skilled professionals in the heart of the operating room. Surgical technologists play a vital role in ensuring safe, efficient, and successful surgical procedures. Surgical technologists are responsible for preparing the operating room, verifying sterility of instruments and supplies, and ensuring all necessary equipment is ready for each procedure. During surgery, the surgical technologist anticipates the needs of the surgical team, passing instruments and supplies, managing the sterile field, and maintaining a safe and organized environment.

Program Outcomes:

Upon completion of the Surgical Technology program at RCTC, students will achieve the following outcomes:

• Define and relate the principles underlying the profession of surgical technology, including anatomy and pathophysiology of the human body, microbiology, pharmacology, and operating room skills, techniques, instrumentation, equipment and supplies.
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of the principles of aseptic technique and basic case preparation skills primarily in the sterile role.
• Demonstrate practical skills required to work as a competent surgical technologist in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of surgical case management.
• Apply critical thinking skills for appropriate and safe care of the patient in the operating room.
• Demonstrate the role of a surgical technologist as part of an operating room team providing comprehensive care for patients.
• Demonstrate the practice according to the ethical principles and legal requirements of the profession of surgical technology.
• Demonstrate appropriate and professional skills of interpersonal communication with all patients and other members of the health care team.

Additional Information:

After many hours of simulated experiences in a well-equipped lab, students will obtain clinical experience at Mayo Clinic Hospitals in Rochester, Minnesota and other hospitals in southeastern Minnesota. Visit us at Surgical Technology program page.

As part of the requirements to graduate from the Surgical Technology program, students must take the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Certifying Examination for Surgical Technologists.

Program Entrance Requirements General education credits must be completed prior to entering the Surgical Technology program. These include ENGL 1117, BIOL 1217, BIOL 1218, CHEM 1101 (or CHEM 1117), PSYC 1611 (or PSYC 2618), HCOP 1610 (or HCOP 1620), AOP 2870, and NA 1610 (or NA 1500 and NA 1602). Notice of Minnesota Background Check Requirement Minnesota Statute 245C requires that students who have contact with individuals in licensed institutions complete an annual background study with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Individuals who do not pass the background check will not be allowed to participate in clinical activities. A list of disqualifying offenses is available at Minnesota Statute 245C.15. Students in the program will also be required to complete a National Criminal background Study. Information about completing the background study will be available from program faculty.

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY AAS

MINNESOTA TRANSFER CURRICULUM (MnTC)/GENERAL REQUIREMENTSS (18 CREDITS)

GOAL 1: COMMUNICATION (4 CREDITS)

• ENGL 1117 – Reading and Writing Critically I (4 cr)

GOAL 3: NATURAL SCIENCES (11 CREDITS)

• BIOL 1217 – Anatomy and Physiology I (4 cr)
• BIOL 1218 – Anatomy and Physiology II (4 cr)
• CHEM 1101 – Elements of Chemistry (3 cr)_ _orCHEM 1117 – General, Organic and Biological Chemistry I (4 cr)

GOAL 5: HUMANITIES AND THE FINE ARTS (3 CREDITS)

• PSCY 1611 – Psychology of Adjustment (3 cr) or PSYC 2618 – General Psychology (4 cr)

PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS (42 CREDITS)

• AOP 2870 – Employment Strategies (1 cr)
• HCOP 1610 – Medical Terminology: Body Systems and Diseases (2 cr) or HCOP 1620 – Medical Terminology for Health Professions (3 cr)
• NA 1610 – Nursing Assistant for Surgical Technology (5 cr) or NA 1500 – Nursing Assistant Theory and Clinical (4 cr) and NA 1602 – Hospital Nursing Assistant (2 cr)
• ST 2110 – Surgical Technology Medications and Microbiology (3 cr)
• ST 2120 – Operating Room Techniques I (5 cr)
• ST 2121 – Operating Room Techniques II (5 cr)
• ST 2122 – Introduction to the Operating Room (3 cr)
• ST 2123 – Surgical Procedures I (9 cr)
• ST 2124 – Surgical Procedures II (9 cr)

RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCES

FULL-TIME

• Semester 1 (12 CREDITS) BIOL 1217, CHEM 1101 or CHEM 1117, NA 1610 or NA 1500 and NA 1602
• Semester 2 (14 CREDITS)AOP 2870, BIOL 1218, ENGL 1117, HCOP 1610 or HCOP 1620, PSYC 1611 or**_ _**PSYC 2618
• Semester 3 (16 CREDITS)ST 2110, ST 2120, ST 2121, ST 2122
• Semester 4 (18 CREDITS)ST 2123, ST 2124

Course descriptions can be found at: RCTC course descriptions