Surgical Technology

Jackson Campus Only 

Program Director:    Barbara Avent, RN, BSN

Instructor: Suzanne Carpenter, RN

The Surgical Technology class is accredited by CAAHEP (the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs). It is an accelerated course that includes an introduction to the basic sciences that are the foundation of practice for the Surgical Technologist. The course is a 12-month course designed to introduce the student to the principles and skills necessary to handle various pieces of surgical equipment and to establish and maintain a sterile environment. The lab facilities are designed to emulate a modern operating room and include sophisticated technology such as endoscopy equipment and modern instrumentation.

The total training time for this program is 1296 hours. Graduates of the program will receive a diploma as a Surgical Technologist. Graduates are eligible and will take the Surgical Technologists’ Certification Exam following graduation.

Potential applicants who are less than 18 years of age should consult with allied health program director at Barbara.Avent@ttcjackson.edu prior to making application.

COURSE SUMMARY

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

First Trimester

ST-100 FUNDAMENTALS OF SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY

This introduces the student to the world of healthcare with the emphasis on the work of the surgical technologist. It is the foundation upon which all practice is built.

UNIT 1 – VOCATIONAL RELATIONS—explores the relationship of the surgical technologist within the healthcare team. This unit also looks at the different environments in which Surgical Technologists may work, introduces the concepts of professionalism, ethics, and legal doctrines under which they may be held accountable.

UNIT 2 – MICROBIOLOGY----explores the relationship between microscopic organisms that live in and around us and their relationship to our health and states of wellness. This unit will also discuss the concepts of transmission of disease and precautions taken to prevent that in the healthcare environment.

UNIT 3 – PRINCIPLES OF ASEPSIS— In this unit, the student will learn the principles of asepsis and sterility and how we apply those to the operating room environment by using sterile techniques. This is the basis of the surgical technologist’s practice in the operating room. We will also look at methods of decontamination, cleaning, reprocessing, disinfection, sterilization, and environmental cleaning.

UNIT 4 – PATIENT CARE—We will discuss those things that we do that provide for the safety and well-being of our patient, such as preparing the patients for the operating room, transporting, proper transfer techniques, correctly identifying the patient and the verification of the procedure and the correct site, and proper positioning techniques. Also included will be items such as, but not limited to, preparation of the skin, measurement of vital signs, and insertion of urinary catheters.

UNIT 5 – PHARMACOLOGY—The Surgical Technologist handles a variety of medications and is legally responsible for knowing what those medications are, what they are designed to do, how they are supposed to be given, what the correct dosage would be, and what side effects to watch for in patients receiving the medications. The student is also introduced to anesthesia concepts in this unit: medications, types of anesthesia, equipment needed, etc.

UNIT 6 – SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT— Within this unit, the student is introduced to various supplies and equipment that is commonly found and used in the OR including, but not limited to, surgical sponges, syringes, needles, drapes, electrosurgical equipment, pneumatic tourniquets, endoscopic equipment, sutures, stapling devices, and dressings.

UNIT 7 – TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES—The modern OR is equipped and dependent upon computers, lasers, and robots. It is important that the surgical technologist understands the scientific principles upon which these machines operate and the basics of each.

UNIT 8 – ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY— This unit investigates the normal structure and function of the human body. This unit, along with Medical Terminology, will extend through all three trimesters, as we link normal anatomy & physiology with pathology, or disease processes, that require surgical intervention.

UNIT 9 – MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY—Medical Terminology is the language of healthcare. The Surgical Technologist must have a good foundation in the basic components of terminology and be able to build and interpret words based upon his/her growing vocabulary.

 

 

Second Trimester

 

ST – 200 BASIC SURGICAL PROCEDURES

This course of study will include the following aspects:

Anatomy & Physiology

Supplies & Equipment

Pharmacology

Pathophysiology and Disease Processes

Common surgical procedures

The student will learn to integrate a basic knowledge of anatomy & physiology and pathophysiology with how each applies to the surgical specialty. The student will also learn the basic instruments, supplies, and equipment as well as pharmacological agents used in each specialty. Students will be introduced to a variety of procedures and medical terminology with greater emphasis being placed on the more common procedures of that surgical specialty. Specialty areas covered include:

1. General Surgery

2. OB/GYN Surgery

3. Genitourinary Surgery

4. Otorhinolaryngology

5. Orthopedic Surgery

6. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

7. Peripheral Vascular Surgery

8. Ophthalmic Surgery

 

ST-201 CLINICAL PRACTICUM I

The student will proceed to clinical application of principles within an OR environment. When possible, the student surgical technologists’ OR experience should begin with a general introduction to the OR and all of the support staff’s roles in assuring the smooth functioning of the OR. Students will be required to set up and scrub selected surgical procedures under the supervision of a clinical instructor and staff members. Students will begin their scrub experience by double scrubbing with qualified, experienced scrub personnel and progress to independent scrub duties under supervision. Experience will be primarily within the areas of General Surgery, Gynecological Surgery, Urological Surgery, ENT/Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmic, and Orthopedic procedures.

 

Third Trimester

 

ST – 300 ADVANCED SURGICAL PROCEDURES

The student will learn to integrate a basic knowledge of anatomy & physiology and pathophysiology with how each applies to the surgical specialty. The student will also learn the basic instruments, supplies, and equipment as well as pharmacological agents used in each specialty. Students will be introduced to a variety of procedures and medical terminology with greater emphasis being placed on the more common procedures of that surgical specialty. Specialty areas covered include:

Pediatric Surgery

Neurosurgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

 

ST – 301 CLINICAL PRACTICUM II

The student will continue to build upon their practice by assuming progressively more responsibility for the surgical procedures they are assigned to. Students may also be able to double scrub on more complex procedures, depending upon their skill level.

Whenever possible, the student will be allowed to scrub in the following specialty areas:

Neurosurgery

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Pediatric Surgery

 

 

Unscheduled/Miscellaneous Seminars

 

JOBS ACQUISITION & RETENTION SKILLS SEMINAR

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION’S "BASIC LIFE SUPPORT FOR THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER"

HEALTH & WELLNESS SEMINARS

 

For more information about Surgical Technology or about the certification exam for Surgical Technologists visit these sites:

Association of Surgical Technologists www.ast.org

Liaison Council for Certification of Surgical Technologists www.lcc-st.org

Or e-mail the instructor: Suzanne Carpenter

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