Surgical Technology San Angelo

The Surgical Technology Program is a two-year program leading to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, once accepted, that offers college credit, beginning in the fall of each year. The program is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Upon completion, students may earn a professional credential by passing a nationally administered certifying examination by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Those who pass the exam become certified and are granted the designation of Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) and will be granted permission to work throughout the United States of America.

ACCREDITATION
The AAS program in Surgical Technology is accredited by:

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
Phone: (727) 210-2350
Fax: (727) 210-2354
Email: mail@caahep.org
Website: https://www.caahep.org/

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs is the largest programmatic accreditor of the health sciences professions. In collaboration with its Committees on Accreditation, CAAHEP reviews and accredits over 2100 individual education programs in 32 health science occupations. CAAHEP accredited programs are assessed on an ongoing basis to assure that they meet the Standards and Guidelines of each profession.

CAAHEP is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CAAHEP is also member of the Association of Specialized & Professional Accreditors (ASPA).

PROGRAMATIC ACCREDITOR

Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA)
West Dry Creek Circle, Suite #110
Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: (303) 741-3655
Email: info@arcstsa.org
Website: https://arcstsa.org/

Since 1972, the ARC/STSA has set the gold standard for higher education programs in surgical technology and surgical assisting.

The ARC/STSA is a private, non-profit accreditation services agency that provides national recognition for 400 higher education programs in surgical technology and surgical assisting in collaboration with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The mission of the ARC/STSA is to provide accreditation services to our communities of interest that validate the excellence of educational programs in order to advance the professions and ensure quality patient care.

CREDENTIALING

National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
6 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite #100
Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: (800) 707-0057 (toll-free)
Fax: (303) 325-2536
Email: mail@nbstsa.org
Website: https://www.nbstsa.org/

The mission of the NBSTSA is to be the gold standard provider of professional certification of surgical technologists (CST®) and surgical first assistants (CSFA®), supporting continuing education, thus promoting superior patient care in the surgical setting.

The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting determines, through examination, if an individual has acquired both theoretical and practical knowledge of surgical technology or surgical first assisting.

The goal of the Surgical Technology Program at Howard College is to prepare competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

SURGICAL ROTATION CASE REQUIREMENTS

First and Second Scrub Role and Observation Descriptions
a) First Scrub Role: The student surgical technologist shall perform the following duties during any given surgical procedure with proficiency. A student not meeting the five criteria below cannot count the case in the first scrub solo role and the case must be documented as a ‘pass’ or in the second scrub role or the observation role:
       i. Verify supplies and equipment needed for the surgical procedure.
      ii. Set up the sterile field with instruments, supplies, equipment, medication(s) and solutions needed for the procedure.
     iii. Perform counts with the circulator prior to the procedure and before the incision is closed.
     iv. Pass instruments and supplies to the sterile surgical team members during the procedure.
       v. Maintain sterile technique as measured by recognized breaks in technique and demonstrate knowledge of how to correct with appropriate technique.
b) Second Scrub Role: The student surgical technologist who is at the sterile field and has not met all criteria for the first scrub role, but actively participates in the surgical procedure in its entirety by completing any of the following:
        i. Sponging
       ii. Suctioning
      iii. Cutting suture
       iv. Holding retractors
v. Manipulating endoscopic camera
c) Observation Role: The student surgical technologist who is in the operating room performing roles that do not meet the criteria for the first or second scrub role are observers. These observation cases are not to be included in the required minimum total case count, but must be documented by the program.

Other Surgical Specialty Descriptions
Ortho, GU, ENT, Ophthalmology, GYN, Neuro, Vascular, Cardiothoracic, Plastics, Oral/Maxillofacial

Student Work Policy
All student activities associated with the curriculum, especially while students are completing clinical rotations, will be educational in nature. Students will not be substituted for hired staff personnel within the clinical institution, in the capacity of a surgical technologist.

All admission requirements including the science prerequisite classes must be completed by June 1 unless approved by the program chair.

Pre-application Requirements (Before June 1):
1. Passing test scores from an approved college assessment exam are required to gain entrance into academic courses. If needed, HC administers the TSI exam. The Testing Schedule is posted on the campus website or may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center on each campus.

2. Attend a Howard College Health Professions Orientation. A schedule may be obtained by contacting the HCSA Health Professions Division at (325) 481-8371, extension: 3435. Orientations will also be posted on the HCSA homepage. Attendance is mandatory for anyone applying for the Surgical Technology program. Failure to attend a HPO may result in a deduction in admission points. The Health Professions Orientation is very important because at that time we will answer all your program-related questions and hand out the paperwork necessary to apply to the program.

3. Prior to actual admission to the Surgical Technology program, the applicant must successfully complete the required prerequisite courses with a final grade of “C” or above.

• BIOL 2101/2301 – Anatomy & Physiology I (Lecture & Lab)
• BIOL 2102/2302 – Anatomy & Physiology II (Lecture & Lab)
• BIOL 2120/2320 – Microbiology & Lab  
• HPRS 1206 – Medical Terminology

4. Students seeking admission to the Surgical Technology program must take the Manual Dexterity Test. An appointment must be made with the Program Chair at 325-481-8300, ext. 3432

5. Successful completion of a criminal background check.

Application Requirements June 1.
1. Submit the Health Professions Application for the desired program to the Health Professions Assistant (Debbie Sartain Office HC 1008 at the St. John’s Campus of Shannon Medical Center) along with transcripts from each college/university attended. Applications will be accepted starting April 1st with the final due date being June 1st.

2. Provide proof of immunizations – provide copies, you keep the originals for your records. Immunizations required: Hepatitis B (3 doses AND a positive titer; must have received the first 2 doses of the series by June 1 deadline, MMR (2 doses OR a positive titer, Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis – one dose within the last 10 years). Varicella (2 doses OR a positive titer).

SELECTION PROCESS

At this time, the Howard College Surgical Technology Program is limited to 10 students per cohort. One cohort begins every fall semester. The selection process is completed using a point system and includes:

• Maximum of 12 points from grades in prerequisite courses (A earns 3 points, C earns 1 point).
• Maximum of 10 points from the manual dexterity test.
• Maximum of 10 points from a panel interview.

Once Selected
1. Successfully take and pass the approved Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers class.

2. Pass a ten-panel drug test (prior to beginning clinical rotations—due date provided).

3. Provide documentation of current flu immunization and a negative TB test.

These expenses in addition to tuition and fees are approximate only and are subject to change. Tuition and Fees for each semester can be found in the Howard College Catalog.

Fees Associated with Admission:
* Immunizations – Variable
* Background Check –Variable

In addition to tuition/fees assessed from the college, the following approximate additional fees are the responsibility of the student and are subject to change:
* Basic Life Support Class for Health Care Providers (CPR) – $56 depending on where you take it.
* Physical Exam – Variable depending on health insurance
* 10-Panel Drug Test through Castle Branch –Variable
* Health Insurance – Variable
* TB Test (PPD) – Variable
* Flu Shot –Variable

Uniforms:
* Scrubs– $60 each set (each student will need at least 2 sets of scrubs) (variable)
* Lab coats– $40 (variable)

Textbooks:
* Prices are variable

For questions or additional information regarding this program, please contact the Program Chair:

Carah Dunagan, MA, BS, CST
Program Chair – Surgical Technology
St. John’s – Office HC-1023
(325) 481-8371 ext. 3432
cdunagan@howardcollege.edu

Kelli Rowe
Assistant to Health Professions Division
(325) 481-8371 ext. 3435
(325) 481-8373 Fax
krowe@howardcollege.edu