SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY

DIPLOMA: Diploma in Applied Science with a major in Surgical Technology

Surgical Technologists are highly skilled allied health personnel who perform multiple technical tasks within the surgical environment. The qualified candidate will have excellent eye-hand coordination, effective communication skills, an affinity for detail, and the ability to function well in stressful situations. Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, surgical instrumentation, aseptic technique, surgical supplies and procedures allows the surgical technologist to function as an integral member of the surgical team.

Graduates from the program are prepared for entry level positions in many diverse areas of the health care system, such as: Operating Rooms, Labor and Delivery units, GI and Cardiac Catheterization Suites, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Sterile Supply units, Emergency Rooms, Anesthesia Technologists, Cell Saver Technologists, Physician Offices, Private Scrubs, Instrument Sales Representatives, and Veterinary Assistants. Graduates of the Surgical Technology program qualify to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) National Certification Exam. The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) reports the mean salary for Certified Surgical Technologists is $32,000.

Applications to the Surgical Technology program are accepted March 1-31st . Qualified applicants will have either successfully completed or be enrolled in all required General Education courses at the time of application. A program entrance map is located in the forms section of the FDTC web site.

PREREQUISITES FOR ENTRANCE

Required Courses

High School: Biology
College: None

NOTE:  A grade of "C" or better is required for each prerequisite course.

Other Requirements

1. High School Diploma or GED
2. Departmental Approval
3. Minimum Cumulative GPA  of 2.0
4. Current CPR Certification by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
5. Hepatitis B Immunization, Signed Informed Refusal or Titer
6. MMR Immunization or Titer
7. Chicken Pox Vaccination or Titer
8. Two-step PPD / Chest X-Ray
9. Medical Examination - Forms are provided by the college and should be current (within one year) and complete.
10. Dental Examination - Forms are provided by the college and should be current (within one year) and complete. Dental health must meet departmental standards.
11. Technical Standards - Forms are provided by the college and should be current (within one year) and complete.
12. Recent Photograph - Photograph will not be returned.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

1. Any course with one of the following prefixes requires a grade of "C" or better: ALL
2. Any course with one of the following prefixes may not be attempted more than twice: BIO, SUR
3. Complete or Maintain CPR Certification by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
4. Dismissal Policy: A student who has been unsuccessful at three or more required courses will be dismissed from the program and will not be eligible to re-enter.
5. Reentry Policy: Any student re-entering the program due to unsuccessful completion of SUR 101, SUR 102, SUR 103, SUR 104, SUR 111, or SUR 113 must, prior to returning, successfully complete the following requirements: 1. Surgical Skills Assessment (Skills taught in SUR 101 and SUR 102), 2. Comprehensive Surgical Instrumentation Assessment ( Surgical Instrumentation taught in SUR 101 and SUR 102), 3. Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater.
   
   These requirements must be completed prior to advancing to SUR 103, SUR 104, SUR 111, SUR 113, or SUR 120. The length of time before re-entry will be determined by the number of applicants who have never attempted the surgical classes.
   
   If a student must withdraw due to pregnancy or illness and is good standing academically, he/she may re-enter upon the next available slot, providing the student has proficiently completed the Surgical Skills Assessments (skills taught in SUR 101 and SUR 102) and the Comprehensive Surgical Instrumentation Assessment (Surgical Instrumentation taught in SUR 101 and SUR 102).

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
General Education Courses
Course					Class	Lab	Credit
AHS	102	Medical Terminology			3	0	3
BIO	112	Basic Anatomy And Physiology			3	3	4
BIO	115	Basic Microbiology			2	3	3
ENG	101	English Composition I			3	0	3
MAT	165	Statistics			3	0	3
PSY	201	General Psychology			3	0	3
					17	6	19
Required Major Core Courses
Course					Class	Lab	Credit
SUR	101	Intro. to Surgical Technology			3	6	5
SUR	102	Applied Surgical Technology			3	6	5
SUR	103	Surgical Procedures I			4	0	4
SUR	104	Surgical Procedures II			4	0	4
SUR	111	Basic Surgical Practicum			0	21	7
SUR	113	Advanced Surgical Practicum			0	18	6
SUR	120	Surgical Seminar			2	0	2
					16	51	33
Minimum Total Credit Hours:  52
SEMESTER CURRICULUM
SEMESTER 1 (Spring)
Course					Class	Lab	Credit
AHS	102	Medical Terminology			3	0	3
BIO	112	Basic Anatomy And Physiology			3	3	4
MAT	165	Statistics			3	0	3
					9	3	10
SEMESTER 2 (Summer)
Course					Class	Lab	Credit
BIO	115	Basic Microbiology			2	3	3
ENG	101	English Composition I			3	0	3
PSY	201	General Psychology			3	0	3
					8	3	9
SEMESTER 3 (Fall)
Course					Class	Lab	Credit
SUR	101	Intro. to Surgical Technology			3	6	5
SUR	102	Applied Surgical Technology			3	6	5
					6	12	10
SEMESTER 4 (Spring)
Course					Class	Lab	Credit
SUR	103	Surgical Procedures I			4	0	4
SUR	104	Surgical Procedures II			4	0	4
SUR	111	Basic Surgical Practicum			0	21	7
					8	21	15
SEMESTER 5 (Summer)
Course					Class	Lab	Credit
SUR	113	Advanced Surgical Practicum			0	18	6
SUR	120	Surgical Seminar			2	0	2
					2	18	8
Minimum Total Credit Hours:  52

PROGRAM AND EMPLOYMENT TIDBITS

Contact Person:  

Waiting List: No

Local Starting Salary: $13.00

Local Average Salary: $17.00

National Starting Salary: $15.00

National Average Salary: $18.00