Course Descriptions
Application/Techniques of Surgical Asepsis & Instrumentation
SGT107
Application of microbiology as it relates to sterilization and asepsis. Emphasis on identification (type, function, and name) and proper handling, including assembly and sterilization, of instruments, equipment, and supplies. Techniques and procedures also include surgical scrubbing prior to surgical procedures; gowning, gloving, and assisting surgical team members; counting instruments, sponges, needles, and other items on the sterile field; performing initial steps of surgical procedures; and handling sterile equipment and supplies during an operation. Discussion to include the roles of unsterile and sterile surgical technologists. Spring Only.
4 Credits: 3 Lecture, 3 Lab
Corequisites:
SGT110, SGT112
Prerequisites:
BIO115
Surgical Technology Practice I
SGT110
Introductory clinical experience. Topics include the roles of all members within the surgical support service departments, including sterile supply, sterile processing, and instrument room. Clinical requirements: 45 clock-hours (minimum); perform all duties as assigned within each support service department. Spring Only.
1 Credit: 0 Lecture, 3 Clinical
Corequisites:
SGT107, SGT112
Prerequisites:
BIO115
Introduction to Surgical Technology & Patient Care Concepts
SGT112
Introductory surgical technology theory related to healthcare facilities, hospital organizations, management, job responsibilities, and the physical environment. Emphasis on ethical, moral, and legal responsibilities; patient-care concepts; and critical elements of surgical procedures. Study and discussion of perioperative patient care concepts, including assessment of the patient's response to illness and hospitalization; assessment of the patient's physical, spiritual, and psychological needs; issues surrounding quality care, informed consent, and legal/ethical concerns; basic patient chart components; assessment and response to special population patients; the physical design and needs of the surgery department; identification of potential hazards; review of basic operating room safety; preoperative routines; documentation; and post anesthesia care. Additionally, the basic definitions of electricity and robotics along with their applications in the operating room are discussed. Theory and application of the CARE approach are utilized. Spring Only.
2 Credits: 2 Lecture
Corequisites:
SGT107, SGT110
Prerequisites:
BIO115
General Surgical Procedures
SGT116
Study of general surgical procedures, including devices, techniques, and wound characteristics. Topics relating to wounds include types of wounds, inflammation, and the phases of healing. Other topics include sutures, accessory devices, surgical staplers, and suture needles; techniques used in preoperative diagnoses and opening and closing of surgical wounds; relevant anatomy of, and indications for, surgery; patient preparation; special equipment and supplies; and purpose and expected outcomes of the surgery, as well as possible complications. Expectations include the ability to apply these topical areas in clinical practice situations. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology is reinforced from the surgical technology perspective. The elements of general surgery as they pertain to the surgical technologist are presented. Coursework integrates and reinforces prior content in medical terminology, pathology, specific anatomical structures, surgical instruments, supplies, and drugs. Summer Only.
4 Credits: 3 Lecture, 3 Lab
Corequisites:
SGT122, SGT130
Prerequisites:
BIO125 and SGT107
Surgical Technology Practice II
SGT122
Continued study of operating room principles and procedures, including the application of basic skills learned in the laboratory setting. Applied skills include understanding the roles of all members on the operating room team and the basic "flow" of the operating room; the procedure to scrub, gown, and glove without contamination; back table and mayo stand set up; proper opening of sterile supplies; and the basics of instrument handling. Clinical requirements: 50 clock-hours minimum, functioning in the scrub-observe and second scrub roles as often as possible. Summer Only.
1 Credit: 0 Lecture, 3 Clinical
Corequisites:
SGT116, SGT130
Prerequisites:
SGT107
Pharmacology for the Surgical Technologist
SGT130
General principles of pharmacology related to the surgical technologist in the perioperative environment. Topics include drug sources, classifications, regulatory issues, indications for use, complications, adverse reactions, routes of administration, calculation, and medication handling. Emphasis on the relationship of drugs to the surgical patient. Anesthesia and emergency situations are stressed. Summer Only.
1 Credit: 1 Lecture
Corequisites:
SGT116, SGT122
Prerequisites:
SGT107
Functional Survey & Review
SGT204
Cumulative review and synthesis of specialty surgical areas. Didactic content is reviewed in the context of clinical application and the functional role of the surgical technologist. Special focus on preparation for the Certified Surgical Technologist examination. Test-taking strategies are discussed and applied via practice examinations. Summer Only.
2 Credits: 2 Lecture
Corequisites:
SGT230
Prerequisites:
SGT210
Specialty Procedures I
SGT206
Study of specialized surgeries as they pertain to the surgical technologist. Emphasis on medical terminology, pathology, specific anatomical structures, basic and specialized surgical instruments, supplies, and drugs. Specialized instruments, room setup, draping needs, and positioning are presented. Study includes obstetric and gynecologic procedures, including fertility-related surgeries; the surgical technologist's role in the stages of labor and delivery; genitourinary, plastic and reconstructive; and otorhinolaryngologic and ophthalmic surgeries. Standard precautions are continually emphasized. Fall Only.
4 Credits: 3 Lecture, 3 Lab
Corequisites:
SGT211
Prerequisites:
SGT116
Specialty Procedures II
SGT210
Study of specialty areas as they pertain to the surgical technologist. Emphasis on the use of appropriate medical terminology, pathosis, relative anatomic structures, basic and specialized surgical instruments, supplies and drugs. Specialized instruments, room setup, draping needs, positioning, and the role of and the expectations of services from the surgical technologist are studied. Oral and maxillofacial, orthopedic, peripheral vascular, cardiothoracic and neurosurgery are the main topical areas. Standard precautions are continually emphasized. Spring Only.
4 Credits: 3 Lecture, 3 Lab
Corequisites:
SGT221
Prerequisites:
BIO201 and SGT206
Surgical Technology Practice III
SGT211
Continued practice in operating room procedures, including application of laboratory skills in an operating room setting. Applied skills include scrubbing, gowning, gloving, and set ups with increased organization and speed as well as instrument handling and increased manual dexterity. Clinical requirements: 205 clock-hours minimum. The first scrub role will be entered every day and as often as possible. Fall Only.
3.50 Credits: 0 Lecture, 10.50 Clinical
Corequisites:
SGT206
Prerequisites:
SGT122
Surgical Technology Practice IV
SGT221
Continued practice in operating room procedures, with skills performed with little to no assistance. Expectations include independent scrubbing for a variety of surgical cases, duties performed with increased speed and accuracy, increased awareness and anticipation of needs for the procedures and the needs of team members, and increased instrument handling skills. Clinical requirements: 195 clock-hours (minimum). Spring Only.
3.50 Credits: 0 Lecture, 10.50 Clinical
Corequisites:
SGT210
Prerequisites:
SGT211
Interprofessional Relationships & Professional Obligations
SGT222
Examination of the healthcare practitioner's professional obligations, including responsibilities to the self, responsibilities to the profession/occupation, and responsibilities to the community. Designed to provide the final building blocks that enable graduates to apply these principles and meet these expectations. Discussions include development and maintenance of interpersonal relationships, risk management, healthcare structure and hierarchy, healthcare delivery and payment, resume writing and employment, and all hazard preparedness. Spring Only.
2 Credits: 2 Lecture
Corequisites:
SGT210
Prerequisites:
SGT206
Surgical Technology Practice V
SGT230
Final clinical experience, focusing on the finer details of operating room procedures and instrument handling, including the ability to anticipate the surgeon's needs. Independent performance of skills with speed and accuracy during a surgical procedure and process is expected. Clinical requirements: 225 clock-hours (minimum). Summer Only.
4 Credits: 0 Lecture, 12 Clinical
Corequisites:
SGT226 or SGT204
Prerequisites:
SGT221
