Nov 23, 2024  
2020-21 Catalog 
    
2020-21 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.

Consideration for admission to the Core Surgical Technology (ST) Curriculum follows a sequential Application and Admission Process. The ST applicant may not advance in the process if the prior step has not been completed.
(For example, the potential ST student cannot “Complete a Health Career Application”, as listed in Step 2, if Step 1. “Complete required Non-Core Courses 34 Credits” has not been satisfied. The same follows for Steps 3 and 4).

Step 1. Complete Required Non-Core Courses (34 Cr.) GPA of 2.5 or greater in each lab science (BIO211, BIO212, CHE111, BIO235) displayed on transcripts
Step 2. Submit by annual deadline - Complete Health Career Application Packet
Step 3. Attend entrance exam and Achieve Minimum 70% score on the exam.                  
Step 4. Attend in person - Oral/Written Interview (ST HH Classroom)

The Maximum of ST candidates offered admission will be based on ST interview committee decision and number of scrub slots available at HHC facilities.

Required of all ST Candidates Offered Admission:
Step 1. Attend in person a mandatory July ST Program orientation
Step 2. **Submit and PASS background check (Paperwork given at orientation)
Step 3. Demonstrate ST Program physical standards met through submission of current physical examination/immunization records (Form given at orientation)


**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 Curriculum course of study held on the Hartford Hospital campus. Manchester Community College and/or Hartford Hospital cannot be responsible for finding an alternate academic/clinical placement for a student who fails to pass the background check.

Required of all ST students admitted to ST program:
*Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or greater in all SUR Core Curriculum Courses
*Pass Clinical Lab Practical with 90% or greater to advance to 2nd Semester
*Adhere to attendance policy with maximum of 5 days of absence allowed
*Demonstrate safe, professional academic/clinical performance
*Failure to meet the ST Program requirements listed above will result in disciplinary action and/or termination of the ST student from the MCC/Hartford Hospital ST program.

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.

Please Note: 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


Notes:


*Becoming Connecticut State Community College

A merger of Connecticut’s 12 community colleges is underway. As a part of this merger, modifications will be made to academic programs. Students who do not complete their programs by the end of the Spring 2023 term will be matched with the Connecticut State Community College (CT State) program that most closely aligns with ​the student’s Spring 2023 program and is offered at the current Manchester Community College location. The College is committed to students completing their education with a minimum of disruption. Further details can be found and will be updated on the Frequently Asked Questions page: www.ct.edu/ctstate/academics.

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