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surgical assistant reaching for surgery tools

Surgical Technology (AAS-SUR)

Program Location:  Bay Minette Campus

Nursing and Allied Health Division

Length: Five-Six Semesters

This program is designed to prepare competent entry-level surgical technologists for employment as members of the surgical team in any surgical facility setting. Program instruction includes cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains. Students may obtain their Certification as a Surgical Technologist after successful completion of this program and upon passing the national certification examination. Students will relate theoretical knowledge to the care of patients undergoing surgery and will develop skills necessary to prepare supplies, equipment, and instruments; maintain aseptic conditions; and assist surgeons with surgical procedures. Employment opportunities may be attained in labor/delivery departments, inpatient/outpatient surgery centers, hospital surgery departments, physicians’ offices, and central supply departments.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Admission is for fall semester of each year. A separate surgical technology application is due by July 15 for fall enrollment. To be eligible, applicants must:

  1. Be unconditionally admitted to the College and be an active student in good standing (Minimum 2.0 GPA).
  2. Submit all transcripts to the registrar or admissions by application deadline.
  3. Submit completed Surgical Technology Program Application by stated deadline.
  4. Complete or be in the process of completing the following five required general education courses with a grade of C or higher; ENG 101, MTH 100 or more advanced, BIO 201, BIO 202 or 220, and a Humanities elective (note ORI 101 is required of first time college students and BIO 103 is prerequisite to the Anatomy's unless the student has had other Biology coursework or a certificate/degree in a health-related field that may allow for a waiver of the BIO 103 requirement.
  5. Meet essential eligibility criteria.

Completion of the above requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. There is a class size limit of 24 students. Prospective students are rank ordered using a point system to determine acceptance into the program.

Students are selected based on the following point system:
  1. 3 points for an A, 2 points for a B, and 1 point for a C in MTH 100, ENG 101, BIO 201, BIO 202, and BIO 220.
  2. 1 point for a C or higher in PSY 200 or 210, SPH 106 or 107, and a Humanities elective such as Art or Music Appreciation, Theater, Ethics, Philosophy, Religion, or foreign language.
  3. 10 points for GPA of 3.1-4.0, 5 points for a GPA of 2.1-3.0, O points for GPA 2.0 or less.
  4. 1 point for Chemistry or an advanced Math.

Upon provisional acceptance into the program, students are required to provide a physical exam showing the ability to meet essential eligibility criteria (as outlined in the Surgical Technology application), CPR certification, proof of medical insurance, and records of immunization. Students will also be required to submit a background check and drug screen with results accepted by clinical affiliates. 

Note: Students desiring to obtain BLS CPR certification at Coastal may enroll in EMS 100 during the first semester of the Surgical Technology Program.

The courses listed in the below degree plan are required for an Associate in Applied Science Degree. Students are eligible to take the certification exam and work as surgical technologists upon completion of the degree.  A minimum of a 'C' is required in all program courses including the required general education courses in order to progress in the program.

This is a career program designed for students to go directly into the labor market upon completion. Although some of the courses in this program will transfer to four-year institutions, this program is not designed to be a transfer program of study; therefore, it is not subject to the terms and conditions of Alabama Transfers state transfer and articulation reporting system.

The Coastal Alabama Community College Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs 
www.caahep.org 
9355 113th St N, #7709 
Seminole, FL 33775 
727-210-2350 

Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) 
https://arcstsa.org/ 
19751 East Mainstreet, Suite #339
Parker, CO 80138 
303-694-9262

Apprenticeships

The Surgical Technology apprenticeship opportunity provides participants with the ability to work and receive pay while advancing their learning.

The following is information regarding application to a Surgical Technology Apprenticeship:

  1. Applicants must be an active, current student at Coastal Alabama Community College.
  2. Submit a Coastal Alabama Community College Surgical Technology Program application during the appropriate application deadline.
  3. Students accepted into a Coastal Alabama Community College Surgical Technology Program are provided the opportunity to submit an apprenticeship application. Apprenticeship applications are provided at an information session after acceptance into the Surgical Technology Program.
  4. A list of student applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for apprenticeship is given to participating healthcare facilities.
  5. From that list, participating healthcare facilities select and hire apprentices based on the number of open positions they have available. Current employees accepted into the Surgical Technology Program may be selected for the apprenticeship. All apprentices sign an apprenticeship agreement.
  6. Student apprentices must commit to working for on-the-job learning at the healthcare facility for the entirety of the Surgical Technology Program. Included in working days are clinical days students are performing for Surgical Technology Program clinical requirements.
  7. Student apprentices are not paid for on-campus classes, labs, or simulation. Student apprentices are paid for clinical hours, not to include simulation.
  8. Student apprentices will work one-on-one with a Surgical Technologist from the healthcare facility. Students will be held accountable to the same clinical requirements as non-apprentice students in the Surgical Technology Program.
  9. Surgical Technology applications are posted on the Coastal Alabama Community College website. Applications are due by July 1 each year for Fall Semester Program entry.

For more information, please contact Ms. Khori Fields, Nursing and Allied Health Academic Advisor: 251-580-2257 or khori.fields@coastalalabama.edu

The sponsor will not discriminate due to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, or age over 40 years. The sponsor will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in the apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30. Right to Equal Opportunity: It is against the law for a sponsor of an apprenticeship program registered for Federal purposes to discriminate an apprenticeship applicant or apprentice based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age (40 years or older), genetic information, or disability. The sponsor must ensure equal opportunity with regard to all terms, conditions, and privileges associated with apprenticeship.

If you think that you have been subjected to discrimination, you may file a complaint within 300 days from the date of the alleged discrimination or failure to follow the equal opportunity standards with Josh Laney with the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship located at One Technology Court, Montgomery, Alabama 36116. Phone number is 334-280-4414 and email address is info@alapprentice.org. You may also be able to file complaints directly with the EEOC, or State fair employment practices agency. If those offices have jurisdiction over the sponsor/employer, their contact information is listed below. The EEOC can be reached at 1-800-669-4000.

Coastal Alabama Community College EEOC/Nondiscrimination Policy

Semester One

ORI 101 will be required for those without prior college coursework as specified in the College Catalog. 

Principles of Biology, BIO 103, is a pre-requisite for Anatomy & Physiology I which is a pre-requisite for program admission.  (Contact the Biology Division Chair to determine if the requirement for BIO 103 may be waived.)

MTH 116, Mathematical Applications, does not meet the minimum requirement for Math.  

EMS 100 is an optional course for students to pursue CPR certification for the healthcare provider.

Item # Title Credits
EMS 100 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation I 1
ENG 101 English Composition I 3
PSY 200 or PSY 210 + 3
BIO 103 or BIO 201 + 4
MTH 100 or more advanced + 3
Sub-total Credits 14

Semester Two

SPH 106 or 107 fulfills the Speech requirement.

Item # Title Credits
BIO 220 General Microbiology 4
BIO 201 or BIO 202 + 4
Humanities and Fine Arts Elective (I) + 3
SPH 106 or SPH 107 + 3
Sub-total Credits 14

Semester Three (Fall)

BIO 202 to be taken this semester, if not already completed.

Item # Title Credits
SUR 100 Principles of Surgical Technology 5
SUR 102 Applied Surgical Techniques 4
SUR 103 Surgical Procedures 5
SUR 108 Pharmacology for the Surgical Technologist 2
Sub-total Credits 16

Semester Four (Spring)

Item # Title Credits
SUR 104 Surgical Practicum I 4
SUR 105 Surgical Practicum II 5
Sub-total Credits 9

Complete Graduation Application

Semester Five (Summer)

Item # Title Credits
SUR 106 Role Transition in Surgical Technology 1
SUR 205 Surgical Practicum IV 5
SUR 210 Special Topics in Surgical Technology 2
Sub-total Credits 8

GRAND TOTAL CREDITS 61

*Depending on the program or course, a student may also be required to purchase certain necessary tools and supplies.

Program Assessment Rates

Item 2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/2022
Certification Pass 57% 70% 100% 100% 100%
Employment 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Surgical Technology

Surgical Technology Files
Name File Type
Surgical Technology Program Handbook

Surgical Tech

In-state Associate Degree at $166/credit hour (out-of-state tuition $293/cr. Hr.) 

Item Cost
Tuition & Fees (60 Credit Hours) $9960
Medical Insurance $500
Scrub Suits, Scrub Jackets, Shoes and Eyewear $250
Immunizations & Physical (Depending on needs) $500
Castle Branch/ Drug Screening $183
Practice- Certification Exams/ AST Membership $400
Lab Tote/ Lab Testing Kit $560
Books (Based on 60 Credit Hours) $1500
Approximate Total

$13,853

May be additional cost for Graduation ($25) and Certification Exam (approximatly $200).

Purpose and Goals

The program is designed to prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession. Students will relate theoretical knowledge to the care of patients undergoing surgery and will develop skills necessary to prepare supplies, equipment, and instruments; maintain aseptic conditions; and assist surgeons with surgical procedures. Students may obtain their Certification as a Surgical Technologist after successful completion of this program and upon passing the national certification examination. Employment opportunities may be attained in labor/delivery departments, inpatient/outpatient surgery centers, hospital surgery departments, physicians’ offices, and central supply departments.

 

Program Operation and Learning Outcomes/ Goals

Program Operational Outcomes:
60% of students will complete the surgical technology program in three semesters. 
90% of surgical technology graduates will be employed full or part-time in the profession or in a related field; or continuing his/her education or military service within 6 months of graduation.
70% of surgical technology graduates will successfully pass the Certified Surgical Technology Exam.
 
Program Learning Outcomes:
The surgical tech graduate will be able to discriminate between a sterile and non-sterile environment at 100% accuracy.
The surgical tech graduate will be able to apply basic principles and skills of the surgical technologist. 
The surgical tech graduate will be able to distinguish principles of microbiology, and blood-borne pathogens.
The surgical tech graduate will be able to distinguish supplies and equipment pertinent to select cases in the operating room satisfactorily.
The surgical tech graduate will be able to construct and maintain a sterile environment for surgical procedures.
The surgical tech student will relate knowledge of advanced surgical procedures.
Students who complete the ST program will be able to differentiate legal concepts, risk management and ethical issues.  
Students who complete the ST program will be able to classify wound healing methods, sutures, and stapling devices pertinent to specific surgical procedures.
Students who complete the ST program will be able to relate anatomy and physiology for specific surgical procedures.

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FINANCIAL AID

Financial Aid is Available

Locations:

Bay Minette Campus

1900 Highway 31 South
Bay Minette, AL 36507