Surgical Technology

PURPOSE: The Surgical Technology AAS program is designed to prepare graduates for entry-level careers as members of a surgical team in the operating room under medical supervision to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures

OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES: This program will prepare students for entry-level employment as surgical technologists in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, and specialty clinics. Preparing students for required certification exams as required for employment. The programs emphasize hands-on experience through clinical rotations in hospitals or surgical centers, which is essential for understanding the operating room’s dynamics and the functioning of a surgical team. The curriculum has a strong emphasis on adhering to safety and infection control standards to prevent complications and ensure patient safety.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: General college curricular admission.

APPLICATION TO THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM: Online applications for the Surgical Technology program are available on the Surgical Technology website from February 1 until May 31 for applicants to have priority consideration for entrance for the following fall semester; applications must be submitted by the published deadline.

Any applications received after the published application deadline may be considered by the Program Director on a space-available basis. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the appropriate department by the published application deadline receives all records and documentation.

PROGRAM NOTES: A criminal background check and drug screen are required prior to admission to the Surgical Technology AAS program. Random drug screens and repeat background checks may be required for current or returning students at any time. A student with an unsatisfactory background check and/or drug screening will be dismissed from the Surgical Technology AAS program.

A student accepted to the Surgical Technology AAS program must sign an Assumption of Risk document that serves to provide a general outline of hazards encountered within surgical technology. This list includes, but is not limited to, exposure to infectious, biological, chemical, environmental/mechanical, and psychosocial hazards, as well as loss of personal property.

READMISSION PROCEDURES: A student who has an absence of greater than 12 months within the Surgical Technology AAS program must meet current admission and curriculum requirements and satisfy the following criteria:

1. The applicant must submit a readmission request in writing to the Program Director at least thirty (30) days prior to application. The request must be a detailed personal reflection of the reason(s) for the absence or unsuccessful performance and a plan of correction.
2. One (1) readmission to the Surgical Technology degree program will be permitted.
3. The applicant applying for readmission may be required to interview with the Program Director and other program faculty.
4. An acceptable level of discipline-specific competency may need to be demonstrated prior to readmission. A student with previous unsatisfactory clinical performance must be recommended for readmission by consensus of the program faculty. Note: The Program Director will verify that all readmission documents including licensure/credentials are current and valid.
5. Readmission is contingent upon the availability of space.
6. Students who are dismissed for reasons associated with academic misconduct or code of ethics violations will not be considered for readmission.

STUDENT OUTCOMES FOR THE AAS IN SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY:

Graduates from the AAS Surgical Technology degree program will be required to exhibit the following program-specific learning outcomes:

• Engage in collaborative care practices, delivering patient care with ethical considerations, and understanding the importance of ethical principles and legal standards.
• Discuss, demonstrate, and apply appropriate surgical technology procedures and protocols, integrating knowledge of anatomy, pathophysiology, and microbiology into their role as surgical technologists.
• Display professionalism in the surgical environment, including proficiency in surgical procedures and protocols.
• Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills while showing compassionate interventions towards patients and healthcare team members.

PROGRAM SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Selection of Health Science I CSC (plan code 221-190-01) on the Reynolds Community College general admission application. (Please Note: VCCS student email accounts are the only accepted email account for all correspondence)

1. BIO 141, BIO 142, or any BIO equivalent transfer courses for credit must be taken within 10 years of admission into the first semester of the program.
2. All prerequisite courses for the AAS Surgical Technology Program (SUR 100, BIO 141, ENG 111, SDV 101, HLT 143, and HLT 105) must be completed prior to the program application deadline or provide evidence of enrollment with successful completion prior to the first semester of the program.
3. Submission of official college transcripts to the Registrar’s Office for consideration of transfer credit for courses is required. All decisions for transfer credit are determined by the Registrar’s Office. The applicant is solely responsible for confirming transfer credits are posted by the Registrar. An additional copy of the transcripts must accompany the program-specific application.
4. Successful completion of the TEAS V exam with a minimum score of 45 (approximate cost is $85). TEAS V scores can be used for up to two (2) years, two (2) attempts are permissible, and the exam must be completed at Reynolds.
5. Curricular GPA of 2.5 or higher in the fourteen (14) credits of general education prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or above (SUR 100, BIO 141, ENG 111, SDV 101, HLT 143, HLT 105).
6. Applications are ranked based on TEAS test scores, completion of coursework, and curricular GPA.
7. A selected applicant must accept or deny admission electronically, via their Reynolds student email account, as directed, via the Accepted Student Response Form by the identified date or forfeit their seat.

CONTINUATION IN THE PROGRAM: A student must maintain the following standards or they will be dismissed from their respective program.

1. 1. A grade of “C” or better in each surgical technology course and a grade of “C” in required science course.
   2. Completion of curricular courses as specified by the degree checklist. A student may only enroll in the courses listed in their qualified semester.
   3. Evidence of personal health insurance and physical examination prior to clinical training.
   4. Be physically and mentally capable of performing the essential functions of the program as defined in the program’s Functional Skills Requirements (see below).
   5. A student deemed ineligible to return to a clinical site due to conduct violations will not be eligible for re-admission into the Surgical Technology AAS program.

The Reynolds Policy of Student Conduct (Policy 1-35) applies to all students regardless of the program in which they are enrolled.

Successful completion of the Reynolds Community College Surgical Technology AAS program does not guarantee state registration or national certification to practice.  Graduates must successfully complete the required state or national examination and registry requirements for the locality in which they are seeking employment.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS REQUIREMENTS: Students entering the Surgical Technology AAS program must possess the following functional skills:

• Sufficient eyesight to observe patients, manipulate equipment, and visually monitor the sterile field in dim light;
• Sufficient hearing to communicate with patients and members of a health care delivery team, hear necessary sounds during the operation of equipment, and hear muffled, masked voices. 
• Satisfactory speaking, reading, and writing skills to communicate effectively in English in a timely manner;
• Sufficient bilateral finger and hand dexterity to manipulate equipment and instruments.
• Ability to lift, stoop, or bend in the delivery of safe patient care;
• Satisfactory physical strength and endurance to stand for extended periods, push equipment, and move immobile patients; lift heavy instrument sets, and
• Satisfactory intellectual and emotional functioning to ensure patient safety and to exercise independent judgment and discretion in performing tasks associated with the role of a surgical technologist.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the regular college tuition and fees, the program requires the following (these costs are approximate and subject to change):

PROGRESSION THROUGH THE PROGRAM: Reynolds relies on affiliation agreements with community agencies to provide clinical education opportunities for surgical technology students. The rapid changes in health care law, standards of practice, technology, content of credentialing examinations, and availability of qualified faculty increasingly necessitate sudden changes in the program’s course content, policies, procedures, and course scheduling. As a result, the college cannot guarantee every student continuous and uninterrupted clinical and course instruction as outlined in the printed catalog curriculum for this program. Circumstances beyond the control of the college may necessitate the postponement of course offerings or changes in the sequencing and/or location of scheduled courses or clinical assignments. Additionally, the college may have to change the instructor for courses after instruction has started.

CLINICAL CONTRACTS: Individual contracts are in effect with each affiliate clinical agency, and these contracts differ in requirements for students. In general, contracts include the following:

1. Clinical facilities reserve the right to dismiss a student from their facility at any time. Students must wear the proper uniform, conforming to program and health care agency standards.
2. Students must follow published healthcare agency policies.
3. Students must meet health, immunity, and immunization requirements specified by the affiliated healthcare agency.  Failure to comply with these requirements will prevent the student from meeting specific course learning outcomes required for program progression.
4. Student releases the facility, its agents, and its employees from any liability for any injury or death to self or damage to personal property arising out of the clinical agreement or use of the facility. (Assumption of Risk documentation is signed and on file once the student is accepted into the program.)
5. Student is financially responsible for any medical care required while in the clinical setting.
6. Student must maintain a current American Heart Association BLS for Health Care Provider certification.
7. Demonstration of professional behavior is expected at all clinical learning experiences. Faculty will direct a student to leave the learning environment if unacceptable behaviors are observed.
8. The health care agency may deny a student participation in a clinical learning experience based on the results of the background check and drug screen.
9. Student may be required to attend the health care agency’s orientation as scheduled to remain enrolled in a clinical course.
10. To maintain enrollment in a clinical course, students must submit required clinical documentation during each required clinical rotation.  Failure to comply with these clinical documentation requirements will prevent a student from meeting specific course learning outcomes required for program progression.

EXPECTATIONS: The student is required to complete a sequence of courses and learning experiences provided at the college and selected community healthcare agencies. During these experiences, the surgical technology faculty will observe, monitor, and evaluate the student’s ability to achieve program outcomes through lab skills, direct patient care, and clinical experiences.

FOUR SEMESTER CURRICULUM MODEL: Students who enter the program with (American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers) certification are not required to complete HLT 105 and will receive credit-by-able.

NOTE: current CPR certification is required during all clinical courses.  

The Reynolds Community College A.A.S. Surgical Technology program has an initial site visit scheduled for pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (www.caahep.org). This step in the process is neither a status of accreditation nor the guarantee that accreditation will be granted.