Surgical Technology

The goal of this program is to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become a competent and certified entry level Surgical Technologist.  This will be accomplished by (1) preparing graduates in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains, and (2) meeting or exceeding what is required according to the Core Curriculum of Surgical Technology.

Upon completion of the program of Surgical Technology, the Graduate Surgical Technologist shall:

1.    Apply knowledge and skills from the biological sciences to safely perform during the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative phases of patient care.

• Cognitive Domain: Students must complete course work in anatomy and physiology, and apply the knowledge obtained as the basis for understanding theoretical surgical technology concepts taught in all courses.
• Psychomotor Domain: Surgical technology laboratory courses incorporate the fundamentals learned during science courses as students practice the motor skills associated with operating room competencies.
• Affective Domain: Students learn to apply critical thinking skills, using knowledge learned during basic biological science courses as the basis for decisions made during the performance of operating room procedures.

2.    Utilize appropriate medical terminology to communicate clearly and effectively with patients, physicians, and co-workers and provide for accurate documentation.

• Cognitive Domain: Students learn the pronunciation, spelling, and meaning of the most commonly used medical terms in preparation for application within the surgical setting.
• Psychomotor Domain: Practical application of words and abbreviations in operative reports and documentation is practiced and assessed in the laboratory classes and during clinical rotations.
• Affective Domain: Students learn that the appropriate use of medical terminology promotes professionalism and identity as a member of the surgical team.

3.    Employ appropriate ethical, professional, and respectful values while providing care to diverse populations within the healthcare system.

• Cognitive Domain: Students are introduced to the concepts of professionalism, ethics and values during the fundamentals course. Knowledge regarding ethical issues forms the framework for safe and ethical practice. Promotion of the profession at the state and national level is emphasized throughout the program. Cultural competency concepts are reinforced throughout the program to provide students with the tools needed to practice culturally competent care.
• Psychomotor Domain: Students practice and are assessed for their application of professional attributes in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical rotations.
• Affective Domain: The concepts of professionalism are taught at the end of the program to guide student behavior in the profession of surgical technology. Interactive assignments where students discuss and challenge each other facilitate student’s understanding of their own frame of reference, enabling students to understand how their cultural and ethical mindset impacts their interactions with patients and the surgical team.

4.    Demonstrate a strong surgical conscience, accountability, and legal implications of an individual’s actions as a member of the surgical team.

• Cognitive Domain: Students are introduced to the concepts of surgical conscience, accountability, and legal implications of one’s actions throughout the entire Surgical Technology Program. The concepts are reinforced in every course throughout the program as they are fundamental to the profession.
• Psychomotor Domain: Students practice and are assessed for their application of surgical conscience and accountability in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical rotations. Legal concepts, such as charting and compliance with confidentiality, are assessed during clinical rotations.
• Affective Domain: The concepts of surgical conscience, accountability, and legal implications are taught at the beginning of the program to guide student behavior in the profession of surgical technology.

5.    Integrate knowledge gained in core surgical technology courses to prepare for and assist with surgical interventions.

• Cognitive Domain: Surgical Technology courses are designed to provide students with the theoretical basis to prepare for and assist with surgical interventions. Knowledge gained is sequential, progressing from the simple to the complex, enabling students to evolve from simple comprehension of theoretical material to application of complex skills.
• Psychomotor Domain: During laboratory courses and clinical rotations, students progressively apply the theoretical surgical technology concepts in the performance of surgical technology competencies.
• Affective Domain: Knowledge gained in ST courses prepares students for the emotional challenges that may be encountered before, during and after surgical interventions.

6.    Utilize learned competencies to assemble and operate instruments, equipment and supplies for the delivery of patient care as an entry-level practitioner during basic surgical procedures.

• Cognitive Domain: Surgical Technology laboratory and clinical courses are designed to provide students with the practical skills to prepare for and assist with surgical interventions, Knowledge gained is sequential, progressing from the simple to the complex, enabling students to evolve from simple comprehension of theoretical material to application of complex skills.
• Psychomotor Domain: During laboratory courses and clinical rotations, students progressively apply skills in the performance of surgical interventions.
• Affective Domain: Knowledge gained in laboratory and clinical courses prepare students for entry-level practice as a surgical technologist.

7.    Demonstrate the ability to prioritize and organize the surgical field, while considering the physiology and urgency of patient care needs.

• Cognitive Domain: Surgical Technology courses are designed to provide students with the theoretical basis to prepare for and assist with surgical interventions. Knowledge gained is sequential, progressing from the simple to the complex, enabling students to evolve from simple comprehension of theoretical material to application of complex skills.
• Psychomotor Domain: During laboratory courses and clinical rotations, students progressively apply the concept of prioritization and critical thinking skills in the performance of surgical technology competencies.
• Affective Domain: Students learn to apply critical thinking skills, using knowledge learned during core courses as the basis for decisions made during the performance of operating room procedures and basic perioperative patient care.

8.    Demonstrate an entry-level knowledge base by successfully completing the Certification exam.

• Cognitive Domain: Surgical technology core and supporting courses are designed to provide students with the theoretical basis to take the Certification Exam.
• Psychomotor Domain: Students apply knowledge from all core/supporting course work in taking the Certification Exam.
• Affective Domain: Students integrate knowledge from all core/supporting course work regarding the values that characterize the profession of surgical technology in taking the Certification exam.