Mar 28, 2024  
2018-19 Catalog 
    
2018-19 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Surgical Technology, A.S.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Associate Degree Programs

Program Design

The purpose of the MCC Hartford Hospital Surgical Technology program is to educate qualified individuals in becoming a member of a surgical team in the perioperative care of patients within the scope and limitation of the surgical technologist’s role as defined by the Standards and Guidelines of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST). The surgical technologist works under the supervision of the surgeon and serves as an integral member of a surgical team to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of surgical procedures for every surgical patient. The surgical technologist is responsible for the preparation and maintenance of the sterile surgical field, handles the instruments, supplies and equipment assists and anticipates the needs of the surgeon throughout the surgical procedure. The surgical technologist has the necessary academic knowledge and clinical ability to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure and is constantly on vigil for maintenance of surgical asepsis.

Scholastic Preparation and Admission Process

The MCC Hartford Hospital Surgical Technology program relies on a selective admission, which uses specific admissions criteria.  These criteria are available through the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics division office. The admission criteria require that the students are eligible for the equivalent of MAT* 109 ENG* 101  and BIO* 211  . Students, considering surgical technology as their health career associate degree program, are advised to take the courses listed under required non-core Surgical Technology curriculum. Admission to the Core Surgical Technology Course of Study requires a separate healthcare application, which the student may submit after completion of all required non-core Surgical Technology Curriculum.

Admission to the Core Surgical Technology course of study, requires a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, all lab science courses (as outlined in the curriculum) completed within the last five years with a required grade of C or better, passing grade of 70% or higher on the required entrance exam and sit for oral and written interview. A maximum of ten qualifying surgical technology students will be accepted each fall term. Students will need to demonstrate the skills necessary to become a Surgical Technologist. Technical standards for the program are available upon request. 

Surgical Technology Course of Study applicants, who are not successful in being accepted, are welcome to apply again for the next year. Any student unable to complete the requirements for the associate degree in Surgical Technology may be able to apply some or all of the credits completed to an associate degree in General Studies.  Students are advised to meet with an MCC Counselor to discuss degree completion requirements.  Additional information or questions on specific criteria for program acceptance and the admission process is available from the Admissions Office at 860-512-3210 or the S.T.E.M. division office at 860-512-2704.

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. Telephone: (727) 210-2350; Fax (727) 210-2354, email address: mail@caahep.org.

Curriculum

The MCC Hartford Hospital Surgical Technology program is designed as a two year college course of study. All required, non-core, Surgical Technology curriculum courses will be offered on the MCC campus. For those students accepted to Core Surgical Technology Curriculum Course of Study (courses with a SUR designation) classes are offered during the day in the ERC building, Room 204B on the Hartford Hospital campus. Clinical experience is offered in the second year, spring semester and will take place within the Hartford Healthcare System facilities. All clinical rotations are supervised by trained preceptors, the clinical coordinator and program director. Successful completion of the ST program requires the student to complete a minimum number of 120 cases. The criteria for classification of the clinical case requirement is defined in the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology, 6e and is provided to students when they enter the clinical experience courses in the spring semester.

Modifications to the MCC academic calendar will be made for the clinical courses to enhance the clinical experience.  Students can expect to begin their clinical course 1-3 weeks prior to the scheduled date on the MCC calendar. Specific dates for the year are published in the student handbook and are published on the MCC catalog for the semester.

Due to standards set by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), students are advised that the Hartford Healthcare System facilities require a criminal background check, immunization records and physical exam upon acceptance to Core Surgical Technology course of study held on the Hartford Hospital campus. Manchester Community College cannot be responsible for finding an alternate clinical placement for a student who fails to pass the background check.

Please Note: A physical examination and an immunization record are required of all students prior to beginning clinical rotations. Students are responsible for hospital parking fees, uniforms, CST exam, miscellaneous expenses and their own transportation to and from class and clinical assignments.

Upon completion of the Surgical Technology program requirements, students sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Certification exam.

Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of all MCC Hartford Hospital Surgical Technology program requirements, the graduate will be prepared to:

  1. Incorporate the theoretical knowledge of the basic sciences, medical terminology, pharmacology and pathophysiology into clinical practice as a qualified, entry level surgical technologist.
  2. Demonstrate proficient practice in aseptic technique, proper use and care of instrumentation, clinical judgments with anticipation of the surgeon and surgical case needs.
  3. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of HIPAA, AST standards, principles and scope of practice, ethical, legal, moral and cultural diversity of the patient population in the perioperative setting.
  4. Demonstrate the communication skills to effectively work as a member of the surgical team and professionally interact with patients and the healthcare community.
  5. Demonstrate a strong surgical conscience, self-discipline, professional work ethic and longstanding commitment to personal and educational growth.
  6. Sit for the NBSTSA CST National Certification Exam.

In addition, the graduate will complete the comprehensive learning outcomes identified with the General Education Core.

Surgical Technology Requirements


Total Credits Required: 62


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Associate Degree Programs