Overview

About the program

Surgical Technologists are members of the surgical team who work with surgeons, registered nurses, anesthesia, and other important surgical personnel in delivering patient care. They assume the responsibilities for the patient pre-operatively, intra-operatively, and post-operatively.

As a Surgical Technologist, you will become the person who “hands” the instruments and supplies needed and assists the surgeon during the surgical procedure. You will utilize medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and instrumentation skills in order to anticipate and prioritize the surgeon’s needs.

Program format(s)

Students enrolled in this program will take traditional, 16-week classes each semester.  

Degree option

Two-year, full time degree schedule; and, mixture of core technical courses along with science, medical terminology, computer and general education classes. SUR students complete varied clinical experiences. Program graduates are eligible to take the National Board of Surgical Technology Certification Exam to become a certified surgical technologist (CST). CST’s have a wide variety of employment opportunities.

Drug Screening

Students admitted into the SUR program will be required to submit to a drug screening prior to their clinical rotation. Positive drug screenings will result in forfeiture of the clinical rotation and dismissal from the SUR program. All SUR students may be subject to periodic drug screens during the program. Any student who refuses/fails to cooperate or complete any required drug screening will be considered “positive” and dismissed from the program.

Certificate option

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Learning Outcomes

• Utilize surgical terminology in preparing for core or specialty entry-level procedures.
• Demonstrate his/her role as a Surgical Technologist as a part of a peri-operative surgical team.
• Demonstrate competence of surgical knowledge in the operating room.
• Perform a variety of laboratory skills.
• Demonstrate necessary skills in the clinical setting.
• Participate in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team members to provide competent care of the client during surgical procedures.
• Demonstrate appropriate behavior while attending to the needs of the varied types of patients/clients in surgery.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the varied hand signals utilized during the course of surgical procedures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of accurately identifying specimens, drugs, and other items on the surgical field, in written form.
• Demonstrate knowledge of accurately identifying specimens, drugs, and other items on the surgical field, in verbal form.

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Career Opportunities

• Surgical Technologist

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Application Requirements - Limited Enrollment - Limited Enrollment

• Successful completion of four years of high school, or a standard equivalency test, or certification of equivalent education by an organization recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Ed.
• Minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on 4.0 scale) or equivalent from either high school or college. If a college GPA is used to meet this requirement, it must be based upon a minimum of 12 semester or 12 quarter hours earned at one institution.
• Completion of high school or college level biology and chemistry OR equivalent college level course with minimum grade of C OR SCI1050 Principles of Biology and Chemistry.
• Submission of a minimum of TWO (2) Surgical Technology Admission Modules located on Canvas.
• Submission of the Surgical Technology Program Application including a signed copy of the MTC Health Programs Agreement to Respect Confidentiality form.
• Completion of all MTC general admission requirements, including MTC Application for Admission and nonrefundable application fee.
• Completion of successful criminal background check. Students admitted into the program are required to submit to a criminal background check facilitated by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification. Students with certain felony, misdemeanor, or drug-related arrests will be ineligible for admission into the program.

• Demonstrate college-readiness by achieving the required minimum score on a placement test, successfully completing any required college foundation courses, or satisfying other measures including but not limited to high school coursework, previous college coursework, samples of work, etc. Contact the SUR program director to determine if this testing is required in your particular situation.

• It is recommended that candidates complete the American College Test (ACT) and indicate on the test application that scores be submitted to MTC. The ACT should be completed far enough in advance to ensure that test scores reach MTC prior to the SUR program application deadline. It is also recommended that candidates complete some required coursework in advance of application when possible. Recommended classes include Anatomy and Physiology I (SCI1200) and II (SCI1250), and Statistics (MTH1240).
• Transfer credit from other colleges will be evaluated after receipt of official transcripts.

All students must complete the Non-Academic Standards prior to acceptance into the program.  The students must have:

• Sufficient eyesight to observe patients, manipulate equipment, and operate in low-light situations.
• Sufficient hearing to access patient needs and communicate verbally with other health care providers;
• Sufficient verbal and written skills to communicate needs promptly and efficiently in English;
• A reading comprehension level of ability comparable to formal education;
• Sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly, manipulate equipment, lift a minimum of 50 pounds, and possess the ability to support 175 pounds and ensure patient safety;
• The ability to work while standing, sometimes for hours; and
• Satisfactory intellectual and emotional functions to exercise independent judgment and discretion in the safe technical performance of medical imaging procedures.

Once new applicants have met the MTC requirements to qualify for admission to the SUR program, an admission point system will be used to admit each year’s class. Class size is limited no more than 10 candidates having the highest admission point totals. Please note that the SUR program at MTC reserves the right to make additions or changes to the admission criteria. It is recommended that you contact the SUR program staff for the most recent admission criteria and application before applying. Only completed applications submitted by the application deadline will be considered. It is the applicants’ responsibility to provide all documentation to the SUR program prior to the application deadline. Applicants will be notified of their status in the program by mail approximately 6 weeks after the application deadline. Applicants who are not selected into the program but would like to be considered for a future class will be required to complete a new program application.