Surgical Technology Classes

Accredited programs provide classroom instruction as well as supervised clinical experiences. Required courses include anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, professional ethics, and medical terminology. Other courses cover such topics as the care and safety of patients during surgery, proper aseptic techniques, and surgical care procedures. Students also learn how to sterilize instruments and handle special solutions, supplies, and equipment.   Degree Option   One-year Certificate in Surgical Technology   Accreditation   The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredits Surgical Technology programs upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council ARC/STSA on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. The NCTC Surgical Technology program received Accreditation in January 2004 from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).   Certification   Surgical Technologists may obtain professional certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting by graduating from a CAAHEP-accredited program and passing a national certification examination. They may then use the designation Certified Surgical Technologist, or CST.   Career Opportunities   The employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations at this time as the volume of surgery increases. Technological advances, such as fiber optics, laser technology and robotics, will permit new surgical procedures. Hospitals will continue to be the primary employer of surgical technologists, although much faster employment growth is expected in offices and clinics of physicians, including ambulatory surgical centers. Salaries for Surgical Technologists range from $10.00 to $20.00 per hour, with the average rate in the state of Texas being $19.53 per hour.

Surgical Technology Program Curriculum

    

Admission Requirements

 

In addition to the admission requirements of North Central Texas College, the student must meet qualifications for admission into the Surgical Technology Program.

 

PROCEDURE

The applicant must:

 

1. Attend an advisement/information session to obtain additional information about the Surgical Technology Program.

2. Receive a Test Referral Form to take the Surgical Technology Entrance Test known as the HESI A2

1. Fill Out an application for admission to NCTC.
   

2. Complete the admission process into NCTC.

3. Submit to the Registrar’s Office official transcripts from each college you have attended, if you have attended college before.

4. Submit to the Registrar’s Office high school transcript or GED scores, if you have not attended college before.

5. Contact financial aid at 940-498-6294 if you need financial assistance.

6. Contact the Admissions Office in Gainesville for specific international student requirements, if you are an International student.

7. Sit for the Entrance Exam on the designated date.

8. (The Entrance Exam may be taken only twice in any given year with a lifetime limit of 5 times.)

9. Spaces available in the Surgical Technology program are limited to 24 annually.  Selection of students admitted is based upon the rank order of the Entrance Exam composite scores.

10. Students will be notified by e-mail regarding their status: acceptance, alternate or rejection.

 

The student who is admitted:

 

• Must pass a criminal background check

• Criminal background checks will be completed on all students upon acceptance to the program.

  The following histories will disqualify an individual from consideration for clinical rotations:  1) felony convictions, 2) misdemeanor convictions or felony deferred adjudications involving crimes against persons (personal or sexual abuse), 3) misdemeanor convictions related to moral turpitude (prostitution, public lewdness/exposure, etc., 4) felony deferred adjudications for the sale, possession, distribution, or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances, 5) registered sex offenders.

• Must pass a physical from his/her private physician.

• Must be CPR certified for the American Heart Association Healthcare Provider.

• Must show proof of health accident insurance (Student insurance policies are available.)

• Must provide documentation of required immunizations. 

• Must pass a drug screen.

• Must be at least 18 years old on the first day of class

 

Applicants are encouraged to self-identify their accommodation needs.  It is important to note that in order to successfully progress through the surgical technology curriculum and function as a practicing surgical technologist upon graduation, an individual must be able to perform certain physical activities that include vocal, visual, auditory, and dexterity requirements.  Early contact by individuals with an accommodation need will enable the program coordinator to carefully consider each request on a case-by-case basis.

 

Technical Standards

 

• Students should be able to perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations, such as the help of compensatory techniques and/or assistive devices.

• Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical/placement judgment

• Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.

• Communication abilities sufficient for effective interaction with others in expressive and written English, including computer literacy

• Remain continuously on task for several hours while standing, sitting, walking, lifting, bending, and/or transporting patients/clients

• Physical abilities sufficient to move from area to area and maneuver in small spaces; full range of motion, manual and finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination

• Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective patient/client care and operate equipment

• Ability to reach and operate overhead equipment

• Auditory ability sufficient to access essential patient information

• Normal or corrected visual ability sufficient for patient/client assessment

• Olfactory senses (smell) sufficient for maintaining environmental safety

• Ability to present professional appearance and attitude, implement measures to maintain personal physical and mental health and emotional stability

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Health and Safety Policies

Students enrolled in the Surgical Technology program of NCTC spend a great deal of time in critical care areas of the program's affiliations, and are therefore exposed to blood-borne pathogens and other dangerous health hazards, such as x-rays and anesthetic gases.  These policy guidelines were created to outline those work-related hazards and to offer specific methods to protect the student during clinical instruction in the operating room suite.  Guidelines are also offered for student responsibilities concerning health-related policies for the program.

Surgical Technology students will take responsibility for maintenance of their health to enhance their educational experience.  In addition, surgical technology students will meet the requirements of clinical agencies and regulating agencies of the State of Texas. 

PROCEDURE

Surgical technology students are required to provide a completed physical examination form prior to admission to the program.  Each student must also provide documentation demonstrating that the student is in compliance with the immunization requirements for students enrolled in health related career education courses as set forth by the Texas Department of Health.

Gainful Employment Documentation

HITT 1205/1305/SRGT 1201    A Medical Terminology book with on-line access code is mandatory. Please note you must purchase a brand new text book in order to get the included access code. Students must complete Orientation for Online Students before they can log in to Medical Terminology, including passing the test.  Please register for Orientation for Online Student at the same time that you register for HITT 1205/1305/SRGT1201. To complete the orientation please select this link.

Orientation for Online Student

EMPLOYMENT OF SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS

1. Students should not portray themselves as Surgical Technologists while enrolled in the program.
2. North Central Texas College undergraduate surgical technology students who accept positions in which they receive compensation for their employment are not functioning as students in the Surgical Technology program but as paid employees.  They will not wear the uniform with insignia or other indications of their student status.
3. Students are advised to familiarize themselves with policies of the employing institution so that they will recognize the full scope of their responsibility.  North Central Texas College undergraduate surgical technician students who accept positions for pay must recognize that they may be held legally liable for their actions.
4. The performance of students when working for compensation is the legal responsibility of the employing agency and the individual student.
5. The student is responsible for maintaining the required grade point average and should consider the demands of employment upon the student’s time and energies.

a)     Courses are structured to require a minimum of two (2) hours of preparation for each class hour and laboratory hour.

b)     In order to meet the demands of the course work, it is recommended that students do not exceed 20 hours employment each week.