Surgical Technology

www.albanytech.eduToll Free 877.261.3113

1704 S. Slappey Blvd.Albany, GA 31701229.430.3500

241 US HWY 82 E.Cuthbert, GA 39840229.732.5280

*Diploma Core and Online Classes Only

Dougherty CountyMain Campus

Randolph County Learning Center*

Diploma Program

Program Admissions InformationHigh school diploma or GED required for admission.

Minimum Age: 17Minimum Test Scores: Diploma

Compass ScoresWriting 32Reading 79

Pre-Algebra 50

Clinical Case RequirementsPer Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) each student is required to complete 120 surgical cases. Observation role must be documented but does not count towards the minimum 120 total cases.

Nature of the WorkSurgical 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 of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of 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 possess expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Roles in SurgeryFirst Scrub Role

1. The student surgical technologist shall perform the following duties during any given surgical procedure with proficiency. The following list is provided to identify the items that must be completed in order to document a case in the first scrub role. As student not meeting the five criteria below cannot count the case in the first scrub role and the case must be documented in the second scrub role or observation role.

2. Establish or verify supplies and equipment needed for the surgical procedure.

3. Establish or set up the sterile field with instruments, supplies, equipment, medication(s) and solutions needed for the procedure.

4. Perform counts with the circulator prior to the procedure and before the incision is closed.

5. Demonstrate how to pass instruments and supplies to the sterile surgical team members during the procedure.

6. Demonstrate how to maintain sterile technique as measured by recognized breaks in technique and demonstrate knowledge of how to correct with appropriate technique.

Second Scrub Role1. Perform in the second scrub role. The second scrub role is defined as the

student who is at the sterile field who has not met all criteria for the first scrub role, but actively participates in the surgical procedure in its entirety by completing any of the following: sponging, suctioning, cutting suture, holding retractors, or manipulating endoscopic camera.

Observation Role1. Perform in the observation role. The observation role is defined as the

student who is in the operating room performing roles that do not meet the criteria for the first or second scrub role. These observation cases are not to be included in the required case count, but must be documented by the program.

Job OutlookAccording to a recent study conducted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the forecast for employment opportunities for surgical technologists is one of rapid growth. About 71 percent of jobs for surgical technologists were in hospitals, mainly in operating and delivery rooms. Other jobs were in offices of physicians or dentists who perform outpatient surgery and in outpatient care centers, including ambulatory surgical centers. A few technologists, known as private scrubs, are employed directly by surgeons who have special surgical teams, such as those for liver transplants. Salaries for surgical technicians average between $33,490 and $46,910 anually.

General InformationAdmissions Test

ATC uses the COMPASS exam for measuring proficiency in reading, writing and math. An applicant must achieve minimum admissions scores on the exam as specified in the program state standards or acceptable scores on a statistically validated test such as the SAT or ACT. The program-specific entrance scores are a minimum requirement, and higher scores may be required. Reasonable accommodations are made during testing for those who need them. (The examiner should be notified prior to testing.)

Admissions Procedures• Submit a completed application with a $22.50 non-refundable fee.

If application is mailed, send check or money order payable to ATC.

• Take the admissions test, if required.• Submit official high school transcript or GED scores if entering a

credit program.• Submit official college or university transcript for prior transfer.• The entrance exam may be waived if the student has completed

acceptable college or technical college credit, meets certain SAT, ACT, or English Language Arts (ELA) Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) scores. Refer to ATC catalog regarding applicable entrance exam waivers.

• Report for orientation and registration on specified date.

Financial AidATC offers several types of financial assistance to help qualified applicants pay for their education. Funds are available through the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study and the Georgia HOPE programs. Students may also receive assistance through the Job Training Partnership Act, operated by the Georgia Department of Labor, or the Veterans Educational Assistance Program, administered by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Sufficient financial assistance is available to provide the opportunity for eligible students to attend college. Grant and scholarship programs operate on an award-year beginning in August and ending in July. Students must apply or re-apply each year to receive or continue to receive financial aid.

Albany Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate of Applied Science Degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Albany Technical College.

Please refer to the catalog for more information. Information is subject to change without notice.

Albany Technical College and the Technical College System of Georgia is an equal opportunity employer and offers career and technical education programs for all regardless of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era, spouse of military member of citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). This non-discrimination policy encompasses the operation of all technical college-administered programs, programs financed by the federal government including any Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) Title I financed programs, educational programs and activities, including admissions, scholarships and loans, student life, and athletics. It also encompasses the recruitment and employment of personnel and contracting for goods and services. For Veterans Affairs, contact: Amy Lovelace, VA Representative, Albany Technical College, 1704 S. Slappey Blvd., Albany, GA 31701, 229.430.3505 or alovelace@albanytech.edu

Albany Technical College offers additional services to students with limited English language skills or with disabilities so that they may benefit from these programs. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. For more information on Title VI, contact: Shirley Armstrong, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Albany Technical College, 1704 S. Slappey Blvd., Albany, GA 31701, 229.430.3511 or sarmstrong@albanytech.edu

Title IX of the Education Amendments prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities and also covers employment and admission to institutions that receive federal financial assistance. For more information on Title IX, contact: Kathy Skates, Vice President of Administration, Albany Technical College, 1704 S. Slappey Blvd., Albany, GA 31701, 229.430.3524 or kskates@albanytech.edu

In accordance with Section 504, no qualified individuals with a disability in the United States shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that either receives Federal financial assistance or is conducted by an Executive agency or the United States Postal Service. For more information on Section 504, contact: Regina Watts, Special Needs Coordinator, Albany Technical College, 1704 S. Slappey Blvd., Albany, GA 31701, 229.430.2854 or rwatts@albanytech.edu

Program DescriptionThe Surgical Technology diploma program prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in the surgical field. The Surgical Technology diploma program provides learning opportunities which introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and technical knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in SurgicalTechnology. Graduates of the program receive a Surgical Technology diploma and are qualified for employment as surgical technologists.

Diploma (57 credits)Basic Skills (9 cr.)

ENGL 1010 Fundamentals of English I 3MATH 1012 Foundations of Mathematics 3PSYC 1010 Basic Psychology 3

Surgical TechnologyOccupational Courses

Diploma Occupational Courses (48 cr.)

SURG 1010 Introduction to Surgical Technology 8SURG 1080 Surgical Microbiology 2SURG 1100 Surgical Pharmacology 2SURG 1020 Principles of Surgical Technology 7SURG 2110 Surgical Technology Clinical I 3SURG 2030 Surgical Procedures I 4SURG 2120 Surgical Technology Clinical II 3SURG 2130 Surgical Technology Clinical III 3SURG 2040 Surgical Procedures II 4SURG 2140 Surgical Technology Clinical IV 3SURG 2240 Seminar in Surgical Technology 2

ALHS 1090 Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences 2

ALHS 1011 Structure and Function of the Human Body 5

*All program information subject to change without notice.

Note:

A student may be a part time or full time status untilentering any SURG course. Once a student enters the SURG courses you must maintain a full time status. A student may not repeat a core or program course that he/she failed or withdrawn from more than once. This includes withdrawal from a course before midterm. Any student who withdraws or fails a course twice will be automatically dropped from the program. A student who withdraws or fails a course for the second time cannot reenter a health program. Any student in good standing who withdraws from the program must reenter within 6 months. Readmits beyond the established timelines must repeat all program course work with the exception of core.

Note:A grade of “C” or higher is required for all courses.

• A student who does not earn a grade of “C” or higher in any course with the SURG prefix will have to wait one year before reentering the program. The student must complete an individualized remedial program assigned by the department head. The student will be required to retake ALHS 1090 and ALHS 1011. A student who does not earn a grade of “C” or higher in any two courses with the SURG prefixes will not be allowed to reenter the Surgical Technology program.

• Prior to participation in clinical settings, students are required to submit completed medical and dental examination forms. These forms will be distributed by the program director. All required immunizations, including Hepatitis B, must be accompanied by documentation. Students who refuse to take the Hepatitis B vaccination series must sign a declination form and be aware that clinical practicum sites may refuse them an opportunity to gain clinical experience.

• Conviction of a felony or gross misdemeanor may prohibit employment in field and may make a student ineligible to take licensing/certification exam(s) required for the profession. A background check may be required by some agencies before a student attends a clinical practicum. For more information, contact the appropriate program advisor.

• All student activities associated with the curriculum, especially while students are completing rotations, will be educational in nature. Students will not be substituted for hired staff personnel within the clinical institution, in the capacity of a surgical technologist.

• In addition to being accepted into the program, each student must be able to demonstrate a variety of knowledge, psychomotor, and behavioral skills in order to graduate from the Surgical Technology program.

• Graduates are required to take the National Certification Examination for Surgical Technologist prior to graduation.

Competitive Admission:

Admission to the Surgical Technology program is competitive. General Core Courses (ENGL 1010 and MATH 1012) and designated occupational Courses (ALHS 1011 and ALHS 1090) must be completed in order to be evaluated for admission into the Surgical Technology program. Students will be ranked for enrollment in the Surgical Technology program. Specialization will be based on their GPA in MATH 1012, ALHS 1090, and ALHS 1011. The applicants with the highest scores will be accepted to fill the 25 seats available. PSYC 1010 will need to be completed but will not be used during the competitive admission process.

Applicant must pass required score of “40” or better on PBS exam.

Information from inside panel taken from:Association of Surgical Technologists. New Surgical Technologist Job Description. Retrieved from http://www.ast.org/Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs. Surgical Technology. Retrieved from http://www.caahep.org/content.aspx?ID=53