Degree Offered
- Associate of Applied Science
Nature of the Program
An associate in applied science degree in surgical technology prepares students to enter the workforce in a hospital to assist with surgeries. The program will be applying for accreditation by the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. If accreditation is granted, graduates will be able to set for the Certified Surgical Technologists (CST) exam provided by the National Board of Surgical Technology. While the certification is currently not required by all hospitals, most hospitals prefer hiring certified surgical technologists.
The program provides both theory and application of concepts within surgical technology, such as aseptic technique and surgical procedures. In addition, students learn foundational knowledge regarding anatomy and physiology, microbiology and pharmacology. In addition, students learn skills in a mock operating room on campus and complete clinical experiences in various types of surgeries in local hospitals to gain hands-on experience in the field.
Career Opportunities
The surgical technology degree provides excellent preparation for students planning to gain employment as a surgical technologist. Surgical technologists prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment and assist physicians during surgeries. They help prepare patients for surgery, sterilize equipment, pass instruments to surgeons during surgeries, maintain a sterile environment and restock operating rooms after surgery.
Administration
Chair
- Vicki Huffman - Ph.D. Biomedical Science
Year @ PSC (2005)
Curriculum Requirements
| BIOL 102 & 102L | General Biology 2 and General Biology 2 Laboratory (GEF 2) | 4 |
| BIOL 230 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 231 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
| COMM 104 | Fundamentals of Public Communication (GEF 5) | 3 |
| ENGL 101 | Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric (GEF 1) | 3 |
| EXPH 240 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| MATH 121 | Intro Concepts Of Mathematics | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology (GEF 4) | 3 |
| WVUE 191 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| ST 101 | Surgical Technology 1 | 3 |
| ST 150 | Surgical Technology Clinical 1 | 4 |
| ST 120 | Surgical Pharmacology | 3 |
| ST 102 | Surgical Technology 2 | 4 |
| ST 155 | Surgical Technology Clinical 2 | 4 |
| ST 201 | Surgical Technology 3 | 4 |
| ST 250 | Surgical Technology Clinical 3 | 4 |
| ST 202 | Surgical Technology 4 | 4 |
| ST 255 | Surgical Technology Clinical 4 | 4 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BIOL 102 & 102L (GEF 2) | 4 | BIOL 230 | 4 |
| ST 101 | 3 | ST 120 | 3 |
| ST 150 | 4 | ST 102 | 4 |
| MATH 121 (GEF 3) | 3 | ST 155 | 4 |
| EXPH 240 | 1 | ||
| WVUE 191 | 1 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BIOL 231 | 4 | COMM 104 (GEF 5) | 3 |
| PSYC 101 (GEF 4) | 3 | ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 |
| ST 201 | 4 | ST 202 | 4 |
| ST 250 | 4 | ST 255 | 4 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Total credit hours: 60 | |||
Major Learning Outcomes
Surgical Technology, A.A.S.
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Demonstrate the principles of asepsis and sterile technique in the perioperative environment.
- Demonstrate competency with instrumentation, equipment, and supplies utilized in the perioperative environment.
- Apply ethics, professionalism, and good decision-making skills in preparing for and participating in a surgical procedure.
- Utilize written and verbal communication techniques appropriate to the perioperative environment.