Surgical Technology, AAS

Contact Information

Degree/Certificate

Associate in Applied Science

HEGIS Code

5211

SUNY Code

1355

Major Code

SURT

The Career

A surgical technologist is a highly respected, vital professional in contemporary health care. Surgical technologists assist with every type of surgical procedure. They prepare supplies and equipment as well as perform scrub and circulatory duties.

As a qualified surgical technologist, the graduate will find employment opportunities in many aspects of health care. Hospitals employ surgical technologists in surgery, emergency rooms, central supply rooms and purchasing. Because of their broad-based educational preparation and their knowledge of instruments, surgical technologists are often employed as purchasing agents, sterile supply supervisors, surgery schedulers and materials managers.

The NCCC Approach

The Surgical Technology program, a CAAHEP** accredited program at NCCC, combines classroom and on-campus lab experience with off campus clinical experience at area hospitals. The on-campus lab has a full array of surgical equipment and instruments to realistically simulate an operating room.

The program consists of four full-time semesters. NCCC offers the option of the jointly registered associate degree program with Erie Community College for the convenience of students living in Erie County.

The off-campus clinical education sites are Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Mount St. Mary’s Hospital, Kaleida Health System, Catholic Health System and other hospitals in Erie County. Students are responsible for their own transportation to all off-campus clinical experiences and for parking fees associated with the facility.

Admission & Curriculum Change Requirements

Students admitted in September. It is advisable to apply as early as possible.

All applicants must meet the following admission requirements:

1. High school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED).
2. Completion of a high school biology with a minimum average of 70 percent or a minimum grade of C in Human Biology (BIO 117) or General Biology I (BIO 109).
3. Applicants will be tested for Academic Foundations in reading, writing and mathematics. To be accepted into the program, applicants must earn the minimum required score on these tests or pass the Academic Foundations course listed below:

If below the required score in		Will need to pass
	Writing		ENG 099
	Reading		AAC 042
	Mathematics		MAT 004

These academic foundation courses do not count toward the degree.

If college-level courses were completed prior to the student starting in the Surgical Technology program and the courses are to be used to fulfill degree requirements, a minimum program grade-point average of 2.0 is required.

Applicants who have questions regarding their qualifications should contact the Admissions Office at 614-6200.

Persons who previously attended NCCC and would like to apply to the Surgical Technology program should contact the Admissions Office. Students who are currently attending NCCC, are not matriculated in a program and would like to apply to the Surgical Technology program should also contact the Admissions Office. Students who are currently attending NCCC, are matriculated in another program and would like to apply to the Surgical Technology program should contact the Student Development Center.

Requirements to Remain in the Program:

Once accepted into the Surgical Technology program, continued matriculation is contingent upon:

1. An acceptable student physical examination report. Health records including a physical exam, immunizations and blood work must remain current for the entire period of enrollment in the Surgical Technology program. The student is responsible for all costs related to the physical examination report.
2. Certification in Basic Life Support or CPR for Professional Rescuer is required prior to entering the off-campus clinical education experience in SUR 100 and must remain current throughout the program.

Policies

Grading Policy for Surgical Technology Courses: The Surgical Technology courses have three components: lecture (theory), College laboratory and clinical education. A student must earn a minimum C grade in lecture (theory) and a passing grade in the College laboratory and clinical education components. If a student is not successful in each component, the resulting grade will be an F for the course.

Minimum Grade in Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology Courses for Surgical Technology Students: A minimum grade of C in BIO 213 E/L or BI 150/151 (both lecture and laboratory), Anatomy and Physiology I; BIO 214 E/L or BI 152/153, Anatomy and Physiology II; and BIO 221 E/L or BI 130/131, Microbiology must be earned to progress in the Surgical Technology curriculum.

Repeat Policy: In the sequence of Surgical Technology clinical courses a student who fails (F grade) may repeat only one clinical course in the sequence. A student who is failing at the time of withdrawal from a clinical course (W grade) or withdrawal from the College (X grade) may repeat only one clinical course in the sequence. This policy does not affect a student who is passing a clinical course at the time of withdrawing from the course or the College.

For example:

If a student fails the first Surgical Technology course (SUR 100) on the first attempt and then passes it on the second attempt, he/she must pass all subsequent Surgical Technology courses (SUR 104, SUR 200 and SUR 204) on the first attempt.

If a student is failing the first Surgical Technology course (SUR 100) at the time the student withdraws from the first Surgical Technology course or from the College and then passes it on the second attempt, he/she must pass all subsequent Surgical Technology courses (SUR 104, SUR 200 and SUR 204).

All prerequisite Surgical Technology courses must be successfully completed before progressing to the next sequential Surgical Technology course.

Matriculated Status: All students matriculated in the Surgical Technology program must begin the first Surgical Technology course (SUR 100) in the first semester of matriculated status. If students do not begin the first Surgical Technology course in the first semester of matriculated status, they will lose matriculated status and must reapply to the program.

Students must maintain continuous registration in Surgical Technology prerequisite and co-requisite courses to remain matriculated in the Surgical Technology program.

1. Any student who fails or withdraws from any Surgical Technology course or any prerequisite courses or co-requisite courses that are necessary for continuing in the Surgical Technology program will lose matriculated status in the Surgical Technology program.
2. Any student who does not register the following consecutive semester for the next Surgical Technology course(s) or any corequisite courses that are necessary for continuing in the Surgical Technology program will lose matriculated status in the Surgical Technology program.

Students will be advised of their options if they lose matriculated status.

Standard of Ethics Policy: When a student is unable to provide safe patient care and/or does not meet the ethical standards of the Surgical Technology profession, the program coordinator, upon recommendation from the Surgical Technology clinical faculty, will remove said student from the clinical education component of the Surgical Technology course. Unsafe care is defined as “placing the patient/family in clear and present danger.” The student is not eligible for re-admission into the Surgical Technology program.

Five-Year-Course Policy: If a student has taken any course with a SUR or BIO prefix five or more years before enrolling in a subsequent SUR or BIO course, the program coordinator of the Surgical Technology program shall have the right to request that the SUR/BIO course(s) be repeated.

Program Goals and Objectives

• To prepare surgical technologists who are:
  

  • responsible in providing a safe patient and surgical environment

  • clinically competent

  • accountable

  • committed to caring

  • committed to lifelong learning

• To provide students with the knowledge and skill base to enable them to be successfully employed in the surgical setting.

 Student Learning Outcomes

• Work collaboratively as a member of the health team
• Provide a safe patient and surgical environment using standard precautions and Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) standards
• Integrate the principles of asepsis into practice to protect the patient, self and other health team members
• Incorporate sterile technique and principles of sterilization in the surgical setting
• Perform psychomotor skills incorporating judgment, principles of safe practice and current technology
• Demonstrate caring behaviors in patient care and surgical procedures
• Demonstrate respect for the dignity and worth of individuals and recognize their unique cultural and spiritual values
• Utilize appropriate communication techniques when interacting with members of the health-care team
• Demonstrate personal and professional growth
• Maintain ethical and legal standards of surgical practice