Surgical Technologist Program Code 315121

Employment Potential

A graduate of this program will have the potential for employment in a hospital, out patient surgery, private practice, or clinical setting as a:

. Surgical Technologist

. Central Supply Technician

. Claims Approver

. Private Scrub Technologist

Program Outcomes

. Apply health science principles to the peri-operative environment.
. Apply principles of disinfection and sterilization to the surgical environment, equipment, and instrumentation.
. Maintain principles of aseptic technique in the surgical environment.
. Prepare the operation room by gathering equipment and supplies.
. Pass instruments, equipment, and supplies.
. Provide a safe, efficient, and supportive environment for the peri-operative patient.
. Anticipate the sequence of events during surgical procedures.
. Prepare and manage medications and solutions.
. Function as an ethical, legal, and moral member of the healthcare team within the surgical technologist's scope of practice.

Wisconsin Caregiver Law

NWTC is required to comply with the Wisconsin Caregiver Law (1997 WISCONSIN ACT 27). The completion of a caregiver background check includes the review of criminal records for convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behavior. Students accepted into this program must complete a background information form disclosing any acts, crimes, or convictions prior to program entry. The information provided in the background information form must be truthful and match any findings on the criminal record check. Students with a criminal history may be denied access to placement at the discretion of the clinical or practicum site. Consequently, should a student have a history of convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behaviors, NWTC cannot guarantee clinical/practicum placement or guarantee graduation within typical program timing.

Clinical Experience

Students will be required to purchase scrub suits, pay for liability insurance for each course, provide their own transportation to assigned sites, and cover any other expenses related to clinical experiences. Students may be expected to travel distances and participate in early morning clinicals. Students must be able to reach, bend, and stand for long periods of time (2 to 4 hours), as well as lift, push, and pull (50 pounds).

Accreditation

The Surgical Technologist Program is accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in collaboration with the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology
7108-C South Alton Way, Suite 150
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 694-9262
FAX (303) 689-0518

Board/Certification Examinations

Graduates of the Surgical Technologist program are required to take the Surgical Technology National Certification Exam.

Requirements for Program Application

. Completed application.
. High school transcript or equivalent. (For a list of equivalents, go to www.nwtc.edu/gettingstarted.)
. Admissions Assessment or equivalent or ACT assessment taken within the last three years. (For a list of equivalents, please contact a counselor.)

Requirements for Program Entry

. As a requirement for program entry, an Academic Skills Assessment (Accuplacer) with appropriate benchmark scores is necessary or minimum individual ACT scores of Math: 13; Reading: 15; English: 18 must be achieved. Students must receive the following scores prior to program entry. Reading Comprehension: 55; Arithmetic: 34; Sentence Skills: 74. Remediation options are available to reach required scores. Proof of remediation may be demonstrated by an Academic Skills Assessment post-test or completion of an approved course in the content requiring remediation. To learn more about these assessments and program benchmark scores, please contact a counselor at (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.
. Attend mandatory program orientation.
. Complete physical examination within three months before entering the program and maintain current immunization information.
. Complete an American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR course prior to program entry. Students are required to maintain a current CPR card to comply with affiliating agency requirements.
. Submit Caregiver Background Check paperwork.
. Complete a Functional Abilities Inventory.

Curriculum

The Surgical Technologist Technical Diploma is a three-semester program. Upon graduation, a student will have completed 34 credits.

First semester courses can be taken prior to being admitted into the Surgical Technologist program.

FIRST SEMESTER

SECOND SEMESTER

THIRD SEMESTER

Curriculum Note
* No final grade lower than a “C” is acceptable in any of the courses marked with an asterisk. A student who withdraws or receives a grade lower than a “C” in a program course may apply for re-entry into the program. Consideration for re-entry will be at the discretion of the re-entry team and will be dependent on clinical availability.
Prior to second semester coursework, students must complete 10-501-101, Medical Terminology; 31-509-302, Human Body in Health & Disease; and 31-512-326, ST: Infection Control.
Prior to third semester coursework, students must complete 31-801-385, Communicating-Writing and 31-801-386, Communicating-Effectively.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

These courses provide an opportunity for students to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding required for employment in this field.

10-501-101 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY ...focuses on the component parts of medical terms: Prefixes, suffixes, and root words. Students practice formation, analysis and reconstruction of terms. Emphasis on spelling, definition and pronunciation. Introduction to operative, diagnostic, therapeutic and symptomatic terminology of all body systems, as well as systemic and surgical terminology.

31-512-327 ST: INTRODUCTION ...provides the foundational knowledge of disinfection, sterilization, infection control, and asepsis. Legal and ethical issues encountered in the healthcare environment are explored. Simulated laboratory practice enables the learner to develop beginning technical skills. (Prerequisites: 31-509-302, Human Body in Health & Disease; 10-501-101, Medical Teminology; Accepted into the Surgical Technologist Program; Corequisite: 31-512-326, ST: Infection Control)

31-512-328 ST: FUNDAMENTALS 1 ...includes the basic clinical skills needed by the Surgical Technologist in the scrub role. Learners develop skills in identifying basic instrumentation, supplies, drains, catheters, dressings and sponges. Includes practice experience in creating a sterile field, draping, passing instruments and supplies, performing counts and preparing supplies. (Prerequisites: 31-509-302, Human Body in Health & Disease; 10-501-101, Medical Terminology; 31-512-326, ST: Infection Control)

31-512-329 ST: FUNDAMENTALS 2 ...builds upon and reinforces the role of the Surgical Technologist as a member of the operating room team. Discusses care of the patient before, during and after surgery with emphasis on surgical wounds, wound closure material, and vital signs. Includes lecture and lab experiences. (Corequisites: 31-512-327, ST: Introduction; 31-512-328, ST: Fundamentals 1)

31-512-330 ST: CLINICAL 1 ...apply basic surgical theories, principles, and procedural techniques in the operating room. Students begin to function as team members under the guidance of the instructor and authorized clinical personnel. (Corequisites: 31-512-327, ST: Intro to Surg Tech; 31-512-328, ST: Fundamentals 1)

31-512-331 ST: SURGICAL PROCEDURES ...provides the foundational knowledge of surgical core and specialty procedures. Examines pathophysiology, diagnostic interventions, and surgical interventions for a variety of surgical procedures. Incorporates integration of basic health sciences and technical knowledge to complete a plan of action for a surgical procedure. (Prerequisites: 31-512-329, ST: Fundamentals 2; 31-512-330, ST: Clinical 1)

31-512-332 ST: CLINICAL 2 ...further experience in a clinical setting allows the student to continue to improve technical skills while accepting more responsibilities during surgical procedures. (Prerequisites: 31-512329, ST: Fundamentals 2; 31-512-330, ST: Clinical 1; Corequisite: 31-512-331, ST: Surgical Procedures)

31-512-334 ST: CLINICAL 3 ...enhances the student's technical experience and employee skills. Serves as a transition between student and employee. Application of advanced skills for the entry-level surgical technologist in the clinical setting. (Corequisites: 31-512-332, ST: Clinical 2; 31-512-331, ST: Surgical Procedures)

31-509-302 HUMAN BODY IN HEALTH & DISEASE ...Focuses on diseases that are frequently first diagnosed and treated in the medical office setting. Students learn to recognize human body anatomy and the causes, signs, and symptoms of diseases of the major body systems as well as the diagnostic procedures, usual treatment, prognosis and prevention of common diseases. (Prerequisite/Corequisite: 10-501-101 Medical Terminology) 3 cr.

31-512-326 ST: INFECTION CONTROL...covers the structure, general classification, reproduction and transmission of microorganisms. Emphasis will be placed on the practice of sterile technique and its impact on infection control in the health care setting. 1 cr.

31-801-385 COMMUNICATING-WRITING ...writing techniques, memos, letters, descriptions, instructions, and the job-seeking process. 1 cr.

31-801-386 COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY ...interpersonal communication, including the function of interpersonal communication, listening techniques, perception, non-verbal communication, language, self-concept, conflict resolution and customer service. 1 cr.