Surgical Technology

Certificate

Surgical Technology

The Surgical Technology Program is a full-time three-quarter program offering a certificate of completion. This program prepares men and women to share in the responsibility of the operating room team in the care of the patient requiring surgery. The technologist is at all times under the supervision of the physician and/or registered nurse. The program consists of instruction in the basic sciences, medical terminology, surgical functions in the operating room, operating room equipment, and aseptic technique. The clinical practice throughout the program will be coordinated by the instructor at the college and take place in various hospitals in the metropolitan Seattle area. This program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (Committee for Surgical Technology Education). New students are accepted into the three-quarter program each fall.

Career Opportunities

A student completing this program will have the skills needed to work as a surgical technologist in a hospital operating room and will be eligible to take the National Certification Exam.

Entrance Requirements

  • High school diploma or GED equivalent in the U.S.
  • Test requirements: Must be eligible for English 101 and Math 084. The test is waived if transcripts show completion of English 101 (Composition) and Math 084 (Algebra I) with at least a 2.0 grade. Entrance into the program is on a first-come, first-served basis after prerequisite testing has been completed.

How To Get Started

  • Complete the Standard Procedure for Admission to the College
  • make an appointment to meet with the Workforce Advisor, room 1102 C-7, (206) 587-4188, to discuss entrance requirements, eligibility, waitlists and be approved as “program ready.” Call to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
    Counselor: Kimberly McRae, KMcRae@sccd.ctc.edu
  • After the Workforce Advisor’s referral, students take their completed Allied Health application form to the cashier’s office, pay the $35.00 non-refundable Allied Health application fee, and bring all forms to the Health and Human Services office, room 3210 to be placed on the first-come, first-served waiting list.
  • Satisfactory physical and immunization records MUST be on file in the division office, room BE 3210, prior to the first day of class. Specific forms and information will be given out during registration for the program.
  • In accordance with health facility affiliation agreements, students enrolled in clinical courses are required to complete a Request for Criminal History form. All information will be kept confidential. Students should be aware that certain convictions may prevent their clinical placement and employment and that completion of this program does not guarantee certification, licensing or employment.

Estimated Training Costs

Curriculum

1'st QuarterCr
AHE 117 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY I 1
Introduction to medical terminology. Emphasis on vocabulary and knowledge to communicate with health care team
BIOL 128 SURVEY OF HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY 5
STT 111 SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY LAB 5
Covers principles and techniques of operating room procedures. Includes surgical scrub techniques, gowning and gloving, aseptic technique, creating and maintaining a sterile field, draping materials, basic instrumentation and patient transport.
STT 113 SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY I 8
Intro to surgical technology, including legal and ethical aspects; relationships with co-workers; hospital organization and inter-departmental relations; physical and psychological aspects of patient care; operating room techniques and procedures.
STT 115 CLINICAL ORIENTATION 2
Intro to health care and the operating room. Covers observation of the environment, routines, supplies and equipment, patient-team interaction, and application of scientific principles.
2'nd QuarterCr
AHE 127 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY II 1
Continuation of AHE 117. Provides terminology of the circulatory/ lymphatic, urinary, reproductive and musculoskeletal systems and their pathophysiology.
STT 123 SURGICAL TECNOLOGY II 14
Examines microbiology, pharmacology and anesthesiology relating to the surgical patient. Includes additional perioperative care techniques and surgical procedures, pathophysiology, and the technologist's role in surgery. Covers general, orthopedic, gynecological, genitourinary-reproductive and ophthalmic specialties.
STT 125 CLINICAL PRACTICE I 5
Provides clinical practice, with focus on development of entry-level skills.
3'rd QuarterCr
AHE 137 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY III 1
Continuation of AHE 117 and AHE 127. Covers terminology of the respiratory, integumentary, endocrine and nervous systems and their patholphysiology.
STT 133 SURGICAL TECH III 5
Continuation of STT 123. Intro to circulating duties and job applicant skills. Covers advanced surgical specialties such as ear, nose and throat, vascular, cardiovascular, thoracic, neurological, plastic/reconstructive and pediatric procedures.
STT 135 CLINICAL PRACTICE II 8
Continuation of STT 125. Provides advanced clinical practice to develop entry-level skills.
Total Credits = 55

Note:The ENG 101 (5 credits) program requirement may be taken fall, winter or spring quarters, and MUST be completed with a 2.0 grade or better before a certificate may be earned.

To complete the program a 2.0 grade or better is required in all surgical technology and related instruction courses.

For Further Information:

Information Technology Program
Health and Human Services
Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway, Room BE3210
Seattle, WA 98122
PHONE: (206) 344-4347
FAX: (206) 587-6337

Program Contact:
Maureen Wood-Mottley mawood@sccd.ctc.edu 206.587.6953