Surgical Technology - General Technology, AAS

Program Start Date: Fall term
Minimum Program Length: 5 semesters, 62 credit hours
Program ID:  AAS.SUR
Curriculum Code: 35377

Program Description

Surgical technology students learn to facilitate the surgical process by selecting sterile supplies, anticipating the needs of the surgeon, and assisting with the operation as directed by the surgeon. They also maintain aseptic techniques, and sterile conditions prior to and during surgery to minimize the risk of infection to the patient.

Practical Experience

Students work in lab simulations during the first and second terms and gain clinical experience in affiliated hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and physicians’ offices during the second and third terms.

Professional Opportunities

Certified surgical technologist in operating rooms, labor and delivery suites, sterile processing departments, physicians’ offices, veterinary hospitals, medical sales, organ, and tissue procurement teams.

Unique Aspects

A criminal background investigation (CBI) and drug testing are required at student expense for each Health and Human Services student who has been accepted into a Spartanburg Community College curriculum program of study. For more information, please visit the Criminal Background Investigations and Drug Testing information section of the SCC webpage.

Graduates will fulfill the eligibility requirement to take the National Surgical Technology Certifying Exam through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting to become a certified surgical technologist. Students must be a graduate of a CAAHEP accredited program to take the exam.

EEDA Career Cluster

Health Sciences

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Medical Terminology within the surgical environment.
2. Facilitate the surgical process by selecting sterile supplies, anticipating the needs of the surgeon, and assisting with the operation as directed by the surgeon.
3. Demonstrate professional responsibility in performance, attitude, and personal conduct.
4. Find errors in aseptic technique and unsafe sterile conditions in an effort to minimize the risk of infection to the surgical patient.
5. Demonstrate proficiency in the skills and procedures required of a surgical technologist in a professional/clinical setting.
6. Demonstrate their ability to speak publicly, listen attentively, and respond effectively.

Prerequisites

The Surgical Technology program is a two-year full-time Associate in Applied Science degree program offered at the Giles (Main) SCC campus.  The program consists of five semesters and is divided into two phases.  Phase I (prerequisites) includes the general education courses that must be completed prior to applying for Phase II which includes the Surgical Technology professional curriculum.  Completion of Phase I does not guarantee progression to Phase II of the program.  Upon successful completion of all Phase I courses, qualified students may apply for acceptance into Phase II of the program.  A selective ranking system is used that includes the grades earned in Phase I and the college cumulative grade point average. 

The first and second semesters are designed for completion of Phase I (prerequisites) general education courses required for submission of an application to Phase II (professional curriculum).  Phase II (professional curriculum) is designed to be completed in semesters 3-5.