Surgical Services, A.S.

Program Code: 3319

The Associate In Science degree in Surgical Services prepares students for employment as surgical technologists. Surgical technologists work under the supervision of surgeons to ensure operative procedures are conducted in a safe and efficient manner. They assemble and organize necessary equipment while maintaining a sterile environment. Surgical technologists help prepare patients for surgery and assist during the procedure. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology and surgical equipment is vital to facilitate a physician’s performance of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Accreditation
The Surgical Services Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (www.caahep.org) (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (arcstsa.org) (ARC-STSA). Instruction is consistent with the curriculum frameworks as administered by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). Additional information about CAAHEP can be found at caahep.org. CAAHEP is located at 9355 113th Street N. #7709, Seminole, FL 33775. Their phone number is 727-210-2350.

Licensure and Degree
Successful completion of all degree requirements may provide you eligibility to take the Certified Surgical Technologist exam offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (www.nbstsa.org). You may also qualify to take the exam specializing in surgical technology offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (www.ncctinc.com).

If you are a student who resides outside of Florida, or plan to relocate outside of Florida, Santa Fe College has made the determination that this degree program or curriculum only meets educational requirements for professional licensure in the state of Florida. Please contact the Licensure Board in your state to determine whether this program or curriculum will meet any licensure requirements.

Requirements for Admission
Please note that program prerequisite courses have changed. Carefully review the following information to ensure your application to the program satisfies the posted requirements.

The following prerequisite requirements must be completed in order to apply to the A.S. Surgical Services program:

Possess overall college GPA of 2.50.
Complete the following prerequisite coursework with a grade of “C” or better:

BSC2085/L Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
BSC2086/L Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
ENC1101 College Composition
*Choose one of the following Math courses:
- MAC1105 College Algebra
- MGF1130 Mathematical Thinking
- STA2023 Statistics
Choose one of the following Social/Behavioral Sciences courses:
- AMH2020 US History Since 1877
- POS2041 American National Government
- AMH2010 US History To 1877
Choose one of the following Humanities/Fine Arts courses:
ARH1000 Art Appreciation
HUM2020 Introduction to Humanities
LIT1000 Literature Appreciation
MUL1010 Music Appreciation
PHI2010 Introduction to Philosophy
THE1000 Theater Appreciation

*Successful completion of MGF1106 and/or MFG1107 prior to the 2024-2025 academic year may be used to satisfy the mathematics core in lieu of MGF1130.

All transcripts and coursework must be evaluated and accepted by Santa Fe College prior to the application date in order to qualify for application.

To help protect patients and students, upon acceptance to a Health Science Program, all students must undergo state and federal background checks and show proof of certain immunizations and negative drug screenings as required by clinical affiliates. Students will be provided instructions to complete these tasks at the appropriate time. For more information regarding the application process, please visit the “Before You Apply” webpage.

For more information on program specific expectations and to view the Allied Health Student Handbook, please visit the “Prospective and Current Students” webpage.

See Application Dates and Deadlines and closely review other requirements Before You Apply.

Program Goals and Outcomes
Minimum Expectations Statement: To prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

Goal 1: Students will be competent in the cognitive domain.
Student learning outcomes:

Apply principles of anatomy and physiology to surgical procedures.
Successfully pass the AST certification exam.

Goal 2: Students will be competent in the psychomotor domain.
Student learning outcomes:

Prepare surgical instruments for specified procedures.
Implement safe practices when performing perioperative routines.

Goal 3: Students will be competent in the affective domain.
Student learning outcomes:

Demonstrate appropriate and effective communication skills.
Demonstrate professional traits such as adherence to dress code, dependable attendance and acceptance of feedback.

Program Length, Format and Curriculum
The Surgical Services program spans four semesters with courses meeting in a variety of formats to include: on-campus, online, and virtually. In addition, students will conduct clinical internships at local and regional hospitals.

The program is academically rigorous and requires students to be available Monday thru Friday 6 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The Surgical Services program is a total of 64.0 credit hours, including prerequisite requirements. Program core courses: 44.0 credit hours. Prerequisite courses: 20.0 credit hours.

The Program courses must be taken as a cohort in the order indicated below.

Semester 1 Fall (12 Credit Hours)

STS1007 Medical Terminology for Surgical Technology (3 Credit Hours)
STS1177 Surgical Techniques and Procedures 1 (4 Credit Hours)
STS1177L Surgical Techniques and Procedures 1 Lab (1 Credit Hour)
STS1303 Introduction to Surgical Technology (3 Credit Hours)
STS1303L Surgical Technology Clinic 1 (1 Credit Hour)

Semester 2 Spring (13 Credit Hours)

STS1100 Health Care Concepts (Intro to Healthcare) (3 Credit Hours)
STS1178 Surgical Techniques and Procedures 2 (4 Credit Hours)
STS2131 Surgical Specialties 1 (4 Credit Hours)
STS2940 Surgical Technology Externship 1 (2 Credit Hours)

Semester 3 Summer (7 Credit Hours)

STS1051 Pathophysiology for the Surgical Technologist (1 Credit Hour)
STS2132 Surgical Specialties 2 (3 Credit Hours)
STS2941 Surgical Technology Externship 2 (3 Credit Hours)

Semester 4 Fall (12 Credit Hours)

STS2360 Professional Skills for the OR Team (2 Credit Hours)
STS1340 Pharmacology and Anesthesia (2 Credit Hours)
STS2942 Surgical Technology Externship 3 (6 Credit Hours)
STS2931 Special Topics/Seminar (2 Credit Hours)

Performance Standards
The Surgical Services program is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective and psychomotor performance requirements. Based on these requirements, the following list of Program Performance Standards has been developed. Each standard has an example of activities which a student will be required to perform, with or without an accommodation, while enrolled in the Surgical Services program. The Program Performance Standards should be used as a guide to assist applicants in determining whether or not accommodations or modifications are necessary in order to meet program participation requirements. Applicants who identify potential difficulties with meeting the Program Performance Standards should communicate their concerns to the Academic Chair for Allied Health Programs. If the concern is related to a documented disability, applicants are responsible for contacting the Disabilities Resource Center. Determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodation will be made on an individual basis in consultation with the Disabilities Resource Center. Additionally, applicants should assess their aptitude and ability to perform professional duties by reviewing the Program Performance Standards below and discussing them with their healthcare provider.

Critical Thinking
Standard: Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment.
Example: Handle multiple priorities in stressful situations. Exercise independent judgment and discretion in the safe technical performance of medical procedures. Concentrate for prolonged periods of time.

Interpersonal
Standard: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.
Example: Display patience, empathy and concern for others. Deal with fear, anger and hostility in a calm manner. Work with others in stressful situations.

Communication
Standard: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.
Example: Communicate needs in a prompt, clear and concise manner. Able to communicate the identity of items such as drugs, tools, or implants. Accurately record/document pertinent information. Interact with patients and health care providers in a professional manner.

Mobility
Standard: Physical abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform skills required of a Surgical Services.
Example: Walk to and from departments. Maneuver nimbly in small spaces. Respond swiftly to patient’s needs, manipulate equipment, lift a minimum of 30lbs, exert a sustained force of 20lbs, push/pull mobile equipment weighing up to 300lbs; participate as a team member of four in moving an incapacitated patient; ensure patient safety; stand for prolonged periods of time (sometimes wearing a 12-20lb lead apron underneath gown). Walk an equivalent of 5 miles per day. Must be able to reach 18” above head and pass instruments, reaching at least 30” across operating table. Gowns provided by clinical affiliates are limited to size 3X. This could limit the student’s ability to complete mandatory proficiency requirements.

Tactile and Motor Skills
Standard: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform surgical services skills. Must have good manual dexterity. Must possess tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and handling of tissues.
Example: Ability to grasp, hold, grip, seize, turn or otherwise work with hands. Accurately and safely pass sharps and instruments. Examples include working with fingers to thread or load delicate suture needles; assemble air powered drills and mix bone cement. Perceive attributes of an object via touch. Palpate. Handle tissue/organs with gentle accuracy as instructed. Must have good eye-hand-foot coordination.

Hearing
Standard: Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
Example: Detect and evaluate the sounds of advanced surgical equipment such as gas, video and cardiac monitors, power driven tools, fire alarms, etc. Able to follow verbal instructions.

Visual
Standard: Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in surgical technology.
Example: Observe and monitor patients; assist in surgery in full and dimmed light. Possess vision near acuity of 20 inches or less with clarity. Distinguish depth, color and spatial attributes of objects or images.

Professional Appearance
As a representative of Santa Fe College and the Surgical Services program, students must abide by specific professional appearance guidelines required by our clinical affiliates. Clothing and footwear must comply with standards prescribed by the program. Facial hair should be kept neat and trimmed short.