Surgical Technology

The Surgical Technology Program at Great Bay Community College is the only Associate in Science degree program of its kind in the area. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC-STSA). The goal of the program is to prepare competent entry-level surgical technologists with the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) domains needed to be successful in their careers. Students will take the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) exam upon completion of the program. All Surgical Technology courses must be completed within four years of the date of entry into the first Surgical Technology course. Students admitted to or re-entering the program must meet current requirements necessary for graduation. Advanced Placement and Transfer are possible through transfer credit and testing. Students may enroll in Liberal Arts and Science courses prior to admission to the surgical Technology program. Enrollment into these courses does not guarantee acceptance into the Surgical Technology program. Students admitted into the Surgical Technology program must take Surgical Technology courses in sequence and must achieve a minimum grade of C (73.33%) in all major theory and science courses (Surgical Technology, Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II, and Microbiology) and a grade of “Pass” in clinical courses to continue in the program. Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II and Microbiology must be taken within a five-year period from the time of acceptance into the Surgical Technology program or concurrently as scheduled with the Surgical Technology core courses. Students who do not successfully achieve the minimum grade in the major theory, science and other co-requisite courses as outlined in the program course sequencing will be Program Suspended.

Questions about the status of accreditation for the Surgical Technology program should be addressed to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775 Website: www.caahep.org 727.210.2350 Email: mail@caahep.org Fax: 727.210.2354

Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC-STSA), 6 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 110, Littleton, CO 80120 303.694.9262 Website: www.arcstsa.org Email: info@arcstsa.org Fax: 303.741.3655

Questions about certification should be addressed to the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting 3 West Dry Creek Circle, Littleton, CO 80120 Toll Free: 1.800.707.0057 FAX: 303.325.2536 Website: www.nbstsa.org

Surgical technologists are highly skilled members of the surgical team qualified by classroom education and supervised clinical experience. They work closely with the surgeon, anesthesiologist, registered nurse, and other surgical personnel to deliver the highest level of care for the surgical patient before, during, and after surgery. Surgical technologists work under the supervision of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of surgical procedures, ensuring that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Surgical technologists possess expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic techniques and combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation of instruments and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Surgical technologists comprehend the procedure being performed and anticipate the needs of the surgeon. They have the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care before and during the operative procedure and are constantly on vigil for maintenance of the sterile field. The surgical technologist handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure. Duties include setting up a sterile field, gowning and gloving other sterile team members, maintaining the highest standard of sterile technique during procedures, and assisting the surgeon during surgery. With advanced training, surgical technologists may become first assistants who assist in complex surgical procedures such as open-heart surgery. With additional education, they may become operating room nurses, physician assistants, or instructors. Some surgical technologists assume management positions in hospital education, and central supply departments or business firms such as sterile-supply services and operating-room equipment distributions.

The Surgical Technology program includes classroom courses in liberal arts, basic sciences, and surgical technology, along with clinical laboratory and supervised clinical experiences in community hospital operating rooms. Students must be able to complete and successfully pass Competency Based Objectives embedded within Surgical Technology courses to continue with the program. Surgical Technology students must be CPR certified before their first clinical practicum (SURG123) and maintain certification throughout their senior year. Transportation to and from the practicum site is the responsibility of the student. Hospital regulations may restrict candidates from attending clinical practice who have been involved in civil or criminal legal proceedings. Questions may be directed to the student’s assigned clinical site.

Admissions Criteria

Surgical Technology program applications must be completed by April 1st to be considered for acceptance in the fall semester.

Admissions Requirements:

1. Complete an application to the program.
2. Provide proof of high school completion or equivalent.
3. Provide proof of completion of high school biology, or equivalent with a grade of “C” or greater or proof of registration in a course with a projected completion date of August 30th of the current year. Computer background strongly recommended.
4. Place into college level Math, Reading and Writing or demonstrate equivalent competencies through a college transcript or SAT scores.

5. Special Consideration points are given to applicants who:

   ·         Have completed any of the following college-level courses prior to the April 1 deadline with a grade of “C” within the past 5 years from the time of acceptance: Human Anatomy & Physiology I, Human Anatomy & Physiology II, Microbiology

   ·         Are Health Occupation students in a CTE high school program prior to the April 1 deadline

   ·         Are LPNs, LNAs/MNAs, CNAs, EMTs, Medical Assistants, or Paramedics with an active license/certification. If you are currently one of the listed, please submit a copy of your license to Admissions that shows your name, type of license, and expiration date. A screenshot from your state’s Department of Licensing showing this information is acceptable. 

Clinical Requirements:

1. Prior to Orientation to Surgical Clinical, applicants must:
   • Possess and maintain professional liability insurance (available at the College).
   • Submit a report of a current physical examination including all program required health screenings and immunizations.
   • Certify in American Heart Association CPR Healthcare Provider or Red Cross equivalent (BLS).
2. Possess/maintain health/accident insurance (purchased through the college).
3. Complete a Level I criminal background check.
   • Students may be required to perform more than one criminal background check throughout the course of the program based on clinical facility requirements. Participation in clinical experiences may be restricted or denied based on results of criminal record check and therefore would affect the ability of the student to meet course objectives and successfully complete the program.
4. Submit and pass a 12-panel drug screen (through approved vendor).
   • Students may be required to perform more than one drug test throughout the course of the program based on clinical facility requirements. Participation in clinical experiences may be restricted or denied based on results of drug testing and therefore would affect the ability of the student to meet course objective and successfully complete the program.

Surgical Technology Program Suspension Information

Students matriculated in the Surgical Technology Program who are withdrawn or do not achieve the required minimum grade of a “C” in all major Surgical Technology and science courses will not be able to continue in the program. In addition, students are required to achieve the required minimum grade of “C” in BIOL110G, BIOL120G and BIOL210G, as designated in the chart below.

Students who do not pass the Competency Based Objectives (CBO) will not be allowed to retake the CBO. A student who fails the CBO will not be able to continue in the program.

Surgical Technology Readmission Policy

Students matriculated in the Surgical Technology program who withdraw or are Program Suspended may be eligible for readmission consideration. Students who have failed a course because of lack of professionalism or unsafe practice involving actions or non-actions may be suspended from the program without eligibility for readmission consideration. Unsafe practice includes actions or nonactions that may cause injury, damage or harm to the surgical client or others.

Readmissions are contingent upon space availability. The student applying for readmission will be required to meet the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of readmission. To be reconsidered for admission, the student must:

• Have successfully completed with a C or better BIOL110G, BIOL120G, and BIOL210G within the past five years from the time of readmission to the program.
• Submit a written, dated letter requesting readmission consideration to the Program Director of Surgical Technology.
• Briefly outline the reasons they were unable to continue in the program and identify the surgical technology course to which they are requesting readmission.
• Students who have requested readmission consideration will be ranked according to their surgical technology course average as space availability is determined.
• Students will be readmitted based on their ranking order. Students will then be notified of the status of the request in writing by the Admissions department.
• If a request for readmission is granted, the student must complete a new application. 
• If the student is reentering the program and has completed the requirements for SURG119G and/or 122G, they will need to pass Competency Based Objectives (CBO), outlined in SURG119G and SURG122G lab syllabi, to demonstrate that they are ready for clinical and have retained skills learned during these labs.

Advanced Placement:

In addition to the general admission criteria, students seeking advanced placement must have completed and passed with a C grade or better all prerequisite coursework by examination, challenge, or transfer credit. They must pass Competency Based Objectives (CBO), outlined in SURG119G and/or SURG122G lab syllabi. Students applying to the Surgical Technology Program will be required to have a personal interview with the program director.