Associate of Science in Surgical Technology
The mission of the program is to prepare competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains and to help satisfy the need for surgical technologists in local and regional communities. The Associate of Science in Surgical Technology (ASST) program involves learning surgical procedures, exercising critical thinking skills and effectively communicating in the operating room environment. The surgical technologist is an active member of the surgical team. By using technology in the operating room suite, the student can learn the practical skills to successfully work in today’s fast-paced operating room.
Outcomes:
- Earn an Associate of Science Degree in Surgical Technology (ST)
- Provide high quality patient care pre, intra, and post surgery
- Participate as a competent team member working with surgeons, anesthesiologists, operating room nurses and other surgical personnel
- Develop competency as a scrub second assist surgical technologist and circulator
- Demonstrate expertise in maintaining a sterile field and assuring aseptic technique throughout the surgical procedure
- Exhibit caring and ethical behavior
- Communicate effectively and in a professional manner
- Utilize critical thinking skills
- Express enthusiasm and a sense of pride in team work
- Demonstrate the ability to apply theoretical knowledge and a surgical conscience
- Practice the role of patient advocate
- Practice as an entry-level surgical technologist
- Have the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue employment opportunities in operating and delivery rooms and surgery center settings
- Demonstrate knowledge of technology within the operating room to include computer systems and surgical robotics
Degree Requirements
Courses: Preparatory
| ENGL080 | English Composition Preparation | 4 |
| MATH 060 | |
| MATH 080 | |
Courses: General Education
| ENGL111 | English Composition I | 4 |
| ENGL112 | English Composition II | 4 |
| | |
| HIST150 | World History Since 1500 | 4 |
| or | |
| HIST210 | World History and Culture I | 4 |
| | |
| HIT105 | IT for Healthcare Professionals | 4 |
| or | |
| IT105 | Information and Technology Literacy | 4 |
| | |
| INTD111 | Creating Academic and Professional Success | 4 |
| INTD 140 | |
| LITR220 | Values in World Literature | 4 |
| | |
| MATH103 | College Algebra | 4 |
| or | |
| MATH143 | Business Algebra | 4 |
| | |
| PSYC100 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 34 |
Courses: Core
| BIO141 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO142 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| HSS121 | Medical Terminology | 4 |
| SUR102 | Introduction to Surgical Technology | 4 |
| SUR105 | Surgical Pharmacology | 4 |
| SUR110 | Surgical Techniques | 4 |
| | |
| SUR120 | Microbiology and Infection Control | 4 |
| or | |
| BIO200 | Applied Microbiology | 4 |
| | |
| HSS134 | Medical Law and Ethics | 4 |
| SUR150 | Introduction to Pathophysiology | 4 |
| SUR205 | Surgical Procedures I | 4 |
| SUR210 | Surgical Procedures II | 4 |
| SUR235 | Surgical Clinical Practicum I | 4 |
| SUR245 | Surgical Clinical Practicum II | 4 |
| SUR255 | Surgical Clinical Practicum III | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 56 |
Total Credit Hours: 90
Admission Requirements
- Satisfactory completion of entrance testing – Must achieve a score of 65 on Math and on English composite tests on the REACH exam within the same test.
- A physical examination, to include vision and hearing examinations by the student’s physician, is required for admission to the Surgical Technology degree program and must be documented on the form provided by CTU. The following tests and immunizations can be obtained from the student’s physician or local health department or clinic, with all costs assumed by the student.
- Immunizations and vaccinations must be up-to-date or in process (MMR, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Chicken Pox).
- An annual TB skin test must be documented. In the event the TB (Mantoux) text is positive, a negative chest x-ray must be documented. It is the responsibility of the student to provide all necessary documentation. Students are also responsible to keep the TB skin test current throughout the program which will require annual re-testing and submission of results.
- A criminal background check and urine drug screen will be conducted as part of the admission requirements.
- Effective immediately for the Denver campus and in Spring 2011 for the Pueblo campus, the following additional admission requirements must be met:
- Submission of Letter of Intent
- 2 Professional Reference Forms
- Attendance at Mandatory Informational Session
In addition to the above Admission Requirements, the students should also be aware of the following:
- The student must have the physical ability and manual dexterity to perform all responsibilities of a Surgical Technologist.
- Administrative personnel at clinical agencies and in all the Health Science programs believe that Health Science students and the public with whom they come in contact must be protected against communicable diseases and unsafe practices. Each Health Science student must assume responsibility for meeting the industry-accepted health and safety requirements.
SUR 102, SUR 110, SUR 205 and SUR 210 include a laboratory component and will require 20 contact hours in the classroom and 40 contact hours in the lab (1 credit = 10 classroom contact hours for 2 credits or 20 contact hours; 1 credit = 20 lab contact hours for 2 credits or 40 contact hours for a total of 4 credits/60 contact hours).
SUR 235, SUR 245 and SUR 255 require a minimum of 176 hours at a clinical surgical setting, i.e. hospital, ambulatory care facility, etc. (1 credit = 44 contact hours for a total of 4 credits/176 contact hours)
BIO 141, BIO 142, SUR 120, BIO 200 include a laboratory component and will require 30 contact hours in the classroom and 20 contact hours in the lab (1 credit = 10 classroom contact hours for 3 credits or 30 contact hours; 1 credit = 20 lab contact hours for 1 credit or 20 contact hours for total of 4 credits/50 contact hours).
INTD 140 consists of 20 contact hours in the classroom (1 credit = 10 classroom contact hours for 2 credits or 20 contact hours).
All other courses will consist of 40 contact hours in the classroom.
The Colorado Technical University Surgical Technology Programs in Pueblo and Denver, Colorado, are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon recommendation of the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP):
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 3375665
(712) 210-2350
www.caahep.org
Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA):
Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA)
6 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 110
Littleton, CO 80120