Program Accreditation & Licensure

The Surgical Technology Program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

The NBSTSA, National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, is the credentialing agency for Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assistants. This agency is a nationally recognized credentialing agency for both surgical specialties.

In the state of Texas, the national certification exam is the mandatory credential. To be eligible to take the National Certification examination a student must graduate from a CAAHEP accredited program.

See National Board of Surgical Technology and Assisting or Association of Surgical Technologists for details. See also CAAHEP for further information or contact CAAHEP at 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756 or phone at 727-210-2350.

Admission & Prerequisite Requirements

Students desiring to major in a Surgical Technology Program must meet all previous admission requirements for acceptance to St. Philip's College and the Allied Health Department. These include the following:

• SPC Admissions
• Allied Health Admission Requirements
• Proof of Immunizations prior to clinical (mid September)
  • Tuberculosis (TB) PPD current year of application
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
  • Hepatitis B series
  • Diphtheria, Tetanus within 10 years
  • Hepatitis A series
  • Varicella (chicken pox)
  • Current flu shot
   
• Criminal Background Check
• Drug Screening Test
• CPR Certification (AHA or ARC)

All students must also meet the following prerequisites by the start of the program with a grade of C or better.

• HITT 1305 Medical Terminology I
• BIOL 2401 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIOL 2402 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
• ENGL1301 Composition I

The student applying to the Surgical Technology Program must complete an application form and be available for interview by the faculty. Criteria for selection is based on interview, application, essay, completed prerequisites, corequisites and GPA. Please see the Student Technical Standards listed below.

Applications are only being accepted for the fall program during the prior spring semester. Deadline for applications is May 31. The Surgical Technology program has extended the deadline for applications to June 7, 2013.

Applications are available online by selecting this application form hyperlink. The Surgical Technology Program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

STUDENT TECHNICAL STANDARDS

The following are essential job functions for any Surgical Technologist as complied from observations of a wide variety of job experiences. The Technical Standards must be met and maintained throughout the length of the program. If the student cannot met and maintain the following technical abilities, he or she will be dropped from the program.

• Visual Acuity
  • Distinguish between small objects within the sterile field and outside of the sterile field.
  • Perform necessary procedures involving assembling equipment, instruments, drills, and other necessary items.
  • Be able to load needle holders with small sutures and needles.
  • Read surgeon's preference cards and instruction manuals.
  • Perform data entry tasks using computer terminals.
  • Help during insertion of needles or catheters into small anatomical structures.
   
• Hearing Acuity
  • Hearing must be sufficient to communicate with others.
  • Hear and retain instruction from surgeon, OR personnel, and instructor simultaneously.
  • Hear and retain information to relay to others.
  • Hearing must be sufficient to answer telephones and intercoms in the operating room and department.
   
• Speaking Ability
  • Speak clearly and loudly enough to be understood by a person in the operating room or on the phone and intercom.
  • Converse with surgeons, operating room personnel, classmates, and instructor using good communication skills.
   
• Manual Dexterity
  • Must be able to grasp and manipulate small objects required to perform job function.
  • Must be able to hold and maintain instrumentation in one position for long periods of time.
  • Must be able to turn hands palm-up and palm-down.
   
• Physical Stamina
  • Must be able to stand for the majority of a normal workday.
  • Lift instrument sets weighing 20 to 25 lbs.
  • Push or pull surgical equipment, furniture, supply carts.
  • Help transport and transfer patients to the OR table.
  • Help with positioning patients for surgical procedures.
  • Maintain balance while performing job functions.
  • Must be able to move freely and feel comfortable in confined areas.
  • Must not have any open wound conditions on hands and/or arms
   
• Adaptive Ability
  • Complete required tasks/function under stressful conditions.
  • Must be flexible to changes in assignments or tasks.
  • Perform independently and safely with minimal supervision
  • Interact appropriately with diverse personalities.
  • Be able to multi-task and remain focused.
  • Must be able to remain calm under stressful conditions.
   

Application & Selection Process

Refer to the admission section above for information on the selection process. Also see the Allied Health page for application guidelines.