Surgical Technology

Surgical Technology

Surgical technologists are allied health professionals who are an important part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients. 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 well-being. Surgical technologists possess expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combine the knowledge of medical terminology, human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of surgeries. Graduates of Elgin Community College’s Surgical Technology Program are eligible for certification by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), an administratively independent body from the Association of Surgical Technologists. Students who pass the NBSTSA exam earn the title of Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

Sterile Processing and Distribution

Sterile Processing and Distribution technicians clean, inspect, assemble, and sterilize surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies for use in operating rooms and other medical and surgical facilities. The program includes instruction in decontamination, infection control, sterilization, and surgical instrumentation processing, distribution, and record-keeping. Successful graduates will be granted an Elgin Community College Sterile Processing and Distribution Basic Vocational Specialist certificate (BVS).  Graduates are also eligible for certification by the Certified Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD); and by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).

Accreditation

Surgical Technology:

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
 

9355 – 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: (727) 210-2350
Email: mail@caahep.org 

Upon the recommendation of:

The Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA)

19751 East Mainstreet, Suite #339
Parker, CO 80138
Phone: (303) 694-9262
Email: info@arcstsa.org

Accreditation through ARC/STSA ensures students receive an education in surgical technology adhering to strict standards established by the profession. In addition, Elgin Community College is regionally accredited through North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Entrance Requirements

Surgical Technology

• Grade of C or higher in BIO 110 Principles of Biology or equivalent within the last 10 years.
• Grade of C or higher in HPE 112 Into to Medical Terminology or equivalent within the last 5 years
• Grade of C or higher in BIO 245 Human Anatomy and Physiology I or equivalent within the last 5 years

Note: Students who have earned a grade of C or higher in BIO 240 Human Anatomy and Physiology, or BIO 245 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 246 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, or equivalent are not required to complete BIO 110 Principles of Biology.

All applicants will be ranked based on these requirements and the most-qualified individuals will be selected for admission to the Surgical Technology Program. Refer to the Surgical Technology web page for a description of the applicant screening process.

Sterile Processing and Distribution

Proof of High School Diploma and,  
One of the following:

• Reading: Grade of C or better in RDG 091 or LTC 099, or satisfaction of  other placement criteria.  
• Grade of C or better in HPE 112 within 5 years  

Admission Procedures

Surgical Technology

Admission to the program is selective.  For more information, please see admission requirements.

Sterile Processing and Distribution

• Apply for this program no later than October 1st for a spring semester start.

Program Requirements

Surgical Technology

Students must purchase their own ECC program scrubs and provide their own transportation to the clinical agencies. Students must complete all required courses with grades of C or higher to be eligible for graduation and to be eligible to take the National Surgical Technologist Certification exam offered by:

The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
3 West Dry Creek Circle
Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: (800) 707-0057
Fax: (303) 325-2536
Email: mail@nbstsa.org

Students will be assisted with the exam application process during the final semester of the program.

Sterile Processing and Distribution

Students will purchase their own ECC program scrubs and provide their own transportation to the clinical agencies. Students must complete SGT-100 with a grade of C or higher to be eligible for certification.

Policies and Procedures

Students applying to health professions programs must provide a valid Social Security number in order to be screened for a criminal background check. Any student who demonstrates an unclear background check will be denied admission to any health professions program. A valid Social Security number is also needed to apply for licensing/certification exams.

Surgical Technology

Prior to the first day of class, students must have the following documentation on file with CastleBranch: negative drug test results, clear background check results, completed and signed medical form, proof of immunizations/titer results, proof of health insurance coverage, and proof of BLS healthcare provider CPR certification.

Health professions students will be required to update their drug test, TB test/TB survey, and flu vaccine information on an annual basis. Any student demonstrating a positive drug test will be dismissed from the Health Professions Division.

The standards, policies, and procedures of the Surgical Technology Program are published in the surgical technology student handbook. Copies of the student handbook may be obtained online at Surgical Technology Program

Sterile Processing and Distribution

Prior to the first day of class, students must have the following documentation on file with CastleBranch: negative drug test results, clear background check results, completed and signed medical form, proof of immunizations/titer results, and proof of health insurance coverage.

Surgical Technology

• Incorporate critical thinking and use of problem-solving techniques.
• Act responsibly.
• Demonstrate honesty and integrity.
• Interpret and communicate information.
• Recognize patient rights, needs, and values.
• Incorporate basic patient-care concepts.
• Integrate the principles of asepsis in practice to provide optimum patient care.
• Incorporate basic surgical case preparation skills.
• Facilitate the creation and maintenance of the sterile field.
• Incorporate the role of first scrub on all basic surgical cases.
• Integrate responsible behavior as a health care professional.

Sterile Processing Distribution

• Correlate knowledge of purpose of safe practice and patient care concepts related to infection prevention and control.
• Incorporate principles, safety standards and regulations as it relates to Central Services and Materials Management.
• Apply basic understanding of surgical instrumentation.
• Identify and implement proper sterilization methods as an entry-level sterile processing and distribution technician.
• Integrate responsible behavior as a health care professional.
• Apply their knowledge of the biologic sciences and biomedical technology to their role in the Sterile Processing and Distribution department (cognitive program goal).
• Demonstrate and value the skills that are required for quality patient care, safe practice, and aseptic techniques in the Sterile Processing and Distribution department (psychomotor program goal).
• Communicate effectively with team members and other facility departments (psychomotor program goal).
• Assume responsibility as a member of the profession of Sterile Processing and Distribution by applying established standards of practice, professional ethics, and ongoing self-evaluation (affective program goal).
• Maintain an “Ethical Conscience” and accountability for personal actions (affective program goal).

Surgical Technology-Associate of Applied Science

Plan of Study Grid

First Semester		Credit Hours
SGT 100	Sterile Processing and Distribution	5
ENG 101	English Composition I	3
CMS 215	Intercultural Communication	3
BIO 246	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4
	Total	15
Second Semester
SGT 102	Intro to Surgical Technology	7
ENG 102	English Composition II	3
BIO 265	Microbiology	4
	Total	14
Third Semester
SGT 111	Surgical Technology II	13
PSY 100	Intro to Psychology	3
	Total	16
Fourth Semester
SGT 120	Surgical Technology III	12
HUM 216	Ethics	3
	Total	15
	Program Total	60

Sterile Processing and Distribution-Basic Vocational Specialist

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
SGT 100	Sterile Processing and Distribution	5

Surgical Technology Courses

All SGT courses numbered 100 and above may be applied to the major field and elective requirement for the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees.