Surgical Technology (SRT)
Type: Career Degree (AAS)
Special admissions requirement
Division: Health and Human Services
Surgical Technologists are allied health professionals, who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients. Surgical Technologists work under the supervision and delegatory authority of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive and non-invasive 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 safety. Surgical Technologists are experts in the theory and application of the principles of asepsis and sterile technique to combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation and tools and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
Surgical Technology education programs are accredited by the ARC/STSA – a collaborative effort of AST and the ACS, under the auspices of CAAHEP. Accredited programs provide both didactic education and supervised clinical experience based on a Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology. Certification is conferred by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Initial certification as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST®) is based upon satisfactory performance on the national certifying examination following completion of a CAAHEP accredited program in surgical technology. The Association of Surgical Technologists, Inc., has declared the associate degree in surgical technology to be the preferred educational model for entry-level practice.
This fully accredited program combines lectures, laboratory activities, simulation, and operating room experience that lead to an Applied Associate in Science degree. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the national certification examination, which is required in Massachusetts for employment as a surgical technologist. Certification is conferred by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), 6 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 100, Littleton, Colorado 80120, (800) 707-0057
www.nbstsa.org
If you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.
If you have program advising related questions, please contact surgtech@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4048.
This program is accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (www.arcstsa.org). Information on accredited Surgical Technology programs may be obtained from the ARC/STSA at
19751 East Mainstreet, Suite #339, Parker, CO 80138, telephone 303-694-9262.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 113th St. N. #7709, Seminole, FL 33775
First Year
Fall
| ALH186 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| BIO211 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| CMP101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| SRG122 | Surgical Instruments and Sterilization | 3 |
| SRG126 | Introduction to Surgical Technology | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Spring
| BIO212 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
| PSY102 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SRG124 | Operating Room Skills Lab I | 2 |
| SRG125 | Operating Room Skills Lab II | 2 |
| SRG127 | Surgical Technology I | 4 |
| SRG128 | Surgical Technology II | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 19 |
Summer 1
| SRG202 | Pharmacology for the Surgical Technologist | 2 |
| SRG204 | Surgical Procedures | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 5 |
Summer 2
| PSY204 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| SRG205 | Advanced Surgical Procedures | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Second Year
Fall
| SRG206 | The Professional Surgical Technologist | 4 |
| SRG208 | Surgical Technology Capstone | 1 |
| SRG210 | Operating Room Externship | 8 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Requirement Notes
BIO211 - The prerequisite for Anatomy & Physiology I can be met through ONE of the following with no time limit for when it was completed: BIO101 or BIO105
with a ’C’ or higher; or TEAS version V only Science section score of 50% or higher; or a Bachelor of Science in biological science or chemistry.
It can also be me with ONE of the following completed within the past 5 calendar years; high school biology with a ’C’ or higher, biology CLEP test with a score of 50 or higher, or AP biology test with a score of 3 or higher.
A grade ’C’ or better is required to meet the Surgical Technology program requirement
CMP101, BIO212, ALH186, PSY102 and PSY204 a grade ’C’ or better is required to meet the Surgical Technology program requirement
Program Information
Surgical Technology Program courses require a grade of (75%) or better in all SRG and Gen ed. courses.
Students are strongly urged to meet with their academic advisor on a semester basis or as needed to review the prerequisites on each course within the program and discuss course selections for successful completion of this program.
Communication and Mathematics proficiency required to graduate.
See guided pathway sheets for advising information specific to your area of focus.
Total Credit Hours: 60
Program Student Learner Outcomes
- Apply skills and knowledge utilizing the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains to provide safe and competent patient care as an entry level surgical technologist.
- Demonstrate an entry-level knowledge base by successfully completing the Certification exam.
- Utilize effective communication with members of the surgical team in order to analyze and anticipate the perioperative needs of the patient and the surgical team.
- Demonstrate theoretical and practical proficiency in surgical aseptic technique and patient care.
- Provide patient care in a professional, ethical, and legal manner as a surgical technologist.
- Integrate recognition of the patient as a whole person with multiple dimensions of social, cultural, religious and ethical beliefs to address the biopsychosocial needs of the surgical patient.
- Demonstrate effective adaptability to new and emerging technologies and a commitment to learning as a lifelong process.
Occupational Skills required
- Lift up to 50 pounds to assist moving patients
- Stoop to adjust equipment
- Kneel to perform CPR
- Crouch to pick up stools and equipment
- Reach 5.5' above the floor to attach plugs and suction
- Handle small and large equipment for storing, retrieving and moving
- Grasp syringes, instruments and sterile supplies
- Stand/sit in a fixed position for prolonged periods for surgical procedures; able to refrain from nourishment or restroom breaks for periods of up to 6 hours
- Feel temperature of irrigating solutions
- Push video equipment, microscopes and case carts
- Walk to retrieve supplies from different areas of the hospital without assistive devices
- Dexterity to manipulate knobs and dials associated with surgical equipment
- Assemble/disassemble instruments and technical devices
- Hear and understand muffled communication and alarms without visualization of mouth/lips within ten feet in distance
- Demonstrate the visual ability to load a fine suture onto a needle holder with/without corrective lenses and while wearing safety glasses; ability to accurately detect and identify changes in color
- Comprehend oral and written language including health care information in order to communicate with surgeons and staff
- Speak to communicate in fluent English with surgeons and staff to assure patient safety
- Read typed, handwritten and computer information in English
- Write to communicate in English pertinent information about equipment
- Function safely, effectively and calmly under stressful situations
- Maintain composure while managing and prioritizing multiple tasks simultaneously
- Prioritize multiple tasks
- Exhibit social skills necessary to interact effectively with patients, families, supervisors, and co-workers of the same or different cultures such as respect, politeness, tact, collaboration, teamwork, and discretion
- Utilize critical thinking and sound judgement
- Display attitudes/actions consistent with the ethical standards of the profession
- Be punctual and report to work as scheduled
- Display appropriate interpersonal skills to interact with surgeons, staff and patients
- Remain alert to surroundings and potential emergencies
- Prioritize and perform multiple and concurrent repetitive tasks
- Integrate information and make decisions based on aseptic technique and the standards that are consistent with the professions
- Be conscientious, orderly, and emotionally stable to respond to the demands of the operating room environment
- Apply a rational approach to solve practical problems
Experiential Learning Required in Program
- SRG210- Operating Room Externship
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – All Education Levels
- Health Specialties Teachers
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – Associate’s or Less
Average Annual Growth (10-Year Projection)
- US - 1.10%
- Boston MSA – 1.00%
- Essex County – 1.10%
- Boston MSA Average Entry-Level Wages (2016) – $38,300
- Boston MSA Median Wages (2016) – $51,400