Surgical Technology

Academic Division of Natural & Health Sciences

Surgical Technologists are health professionals who work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses and other surgical personnel in delivering optimal patient care. As vital members of the surgical team, job duties include preparing the operating room, securing supplies, setting up equipment and instruments, and anticipating the surgeon’s needs during the surgical procedure. Surgical Technologists are responsible for maintaining the sterile field and being constantly vigilant that all members of the team adhere to aseptic technique.

The Quincy College Surgical Technology Program is a ten month, full-time course of study beginning in September each year. The 40 credit certificate program trains students to become entry level Surgical Technologists and prepares them to sit for the certification exam offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. Upon successful completion of this exam, individuals are board certified and may use the credentials of Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

The Quincy College Surgical Technology Program offers students three combined learning experiences: lecture, laboratory and clinical. Lecture topics come to life in our state-of-the-art laboratory. Laboratory skills transition the clinical setting during rotation at either a major Boston teaching facility or one of the leading community hospitals.

During this program, students are required to complete a minimum of 500 clinical hours and scrub on a minimum of 120 surgical procedures. Please note, acceptance to the Program does not guarantee a clinical placement. Clinical facilities require a satisfactory Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check on all students prior to commencement of the clinical experience. A positive CORI check may prevent a student from completing a clinical practice in any clinical facility. Should this occur, the student will not be able to complete the Surgical Technology Program.

The Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in conjunction with the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC-STSA). Program graduates are eligible to sit for the certification exam (CST) offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). For additional information please contact CAAHEP by mail: 25400 US Highway19 North,Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763; by telephone: 727-210-2350; or on the web www.CAAHEP.org.

The Quincy College Surgical Technology Program strives to provide the learner with the very best educational opportunity available to the future professional who has selected this very rewarding career pathway.

Scholarships are available for the Fall 2021 cohort. Please go to scholarship information.

*Please Note: HSC 107 Orientation to Health Care and HSC 140 Medical Terminology must be completed prior to admission into program.

Additional Program Information

The passing grade for all courses is “C” (73%). Students may not continue in the program if they earn less than a “C” in a course.
Students may transfer courses up to 15 credits from accredited institutions. Science courses must have been completed within the past five (5) years at the college level.
Students must have a satisfactory health and immunization record.
A satisfactory CORI check is required for clinical placement. Students must be certified in CPR for the Health Care Provider prior to entering the clinical setting.
Program graduates are eligible to sit for the certification exam (CST) offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
The surgical technology program has a maximum enrollment capacity of 18 students per cohort and admits only one cohort per academic year.
At this time, Quincy College’s Surgical Technology program can only accept applicants who are Massachusetts residents due to onsite program requirements.

National Certified Surgical Technology Exam

Academic Year	Retention Rate	Graduate Placement Rate	NBSTSA Certification Exam Pass Rate
2020-2021	67%	92%	75%
2019-2020	83%	93%	87%
2018-2019	65%	100%	82%

View the curriculum for this certificate program in the latest college catalog here.

Certificates

Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the program the student will be able to:

Function as an entry level surgical technologist by using cognitive, psychomotor and affective learning domains
Be prepared to sit for the national certification examination sponsored by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
Provide a safe and efficient environment while offering physical and emotional support for the surgical patient
Seek opportunities for continuing education
Take pride in the profession of Surgical Technology demonstrated by participation and membership in professional organizations and activities

Quincy

Surgical Technology Courses

- Code
- Course
- Credits
- HSC 149
- Applied A&P for Health Care Professions
- 4
This course is an integrated study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body from the cellular level to the system level; designed for students embarking on a career/profession in the field of health care. Emphasis will be placed upon clinical applications, associated medical terminology and patient assessment. Advances in biomedical technology and patient/client treatment will be highlighted. Completion of HSC 140 prior to enrollment HSC 149 strongly recommended.
- SUR 102
- Microbiology for the Surgical Technologist
- 2
This course is a general study of common and newly emerging microorganisms and their characteristics in relation to health and control of disease. Special emphasis is placed on the concept of asepsis and the surgical environment. Focus will be on the Surgical Technologist’s role in maintaining aseptic technique with emphasis placed on safety and infection control. Prerequisites: Admission into the Surgical Technology Program. Corequisites: HSC 149 (or equivalent transfer), and PNU 111 (or equivalent), SUR 111, SUR 121.
- SUR 111
- Surgical Technology I
- 5
This course is designed to introduce students to the principles and practice of Surgical Technology. Topics include: hospital organization and physical environment of the operation room; ethical, moral and legal issues; patient care and safety; asepsis and sterile technique; surgical pharmacology and anesthesia; preparation, care and handling of instrumentation, equipment and supplies used in the operating room; closure of the surgical wound, wound healing and wound classifications; and the development of a surgical conscience. Students will be introduced to the basics of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative surgical case management. Prerequisites: Admission into the Surgical Technology Program. Co-requisites: HSC 149 and PNU 111 (or their equivalents), SUR 102, SUR 121.
- SUR 121
- Surgical Technology I Lab
- 4
This laboratory course is designed to complement and reinforce concepts covered in SUR 111 (lecture) by allowing the practice and return-demonstration of the principles and procedures related to the knowledge, skills, and techniques utilized during the surgical experience. Skills taught in this course include: preoperative patient care, principles of sterile technique, the surgical scrub, gowning and gloving (self & others), case set up, medication handling, counts, draping, proper instrument handling, and the establishment and monitoring of the sterile field. Students are also taught to work with sutures, instruments, and supplies in a non-patient contact environment. Successful completion of this course is required for clinical placement. Prerequisites: Admission into the Surgical Technology Program. Co-requisites: HSC 149, PNU 111 (or their equivalent), SUR 102, and SUR 111 (lecture).
- SUR 142
- Surgical Technology II
- 16
The study of Surgical Technology II is concentrated on providing the student with extensive practice in surgical procedures. During this course the correlation of theory with clinical practice begins, with lab reinforcement continuing as necessary. Classroom focus is on presentation of surgical procedures by specialty. In each specialty the following will be reinforced: relevant anatomy, pathological conditions, diagnostic procedures and tests, preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative procedural sequence, special instrumentation, equipment, supplies and drugs, and patient preparation in the OR. Prerequisites: All first semester courses in the Surgical Technology Program.
- SUR 143
- Surgical Technology III
- 8
This course is designed to prepare the graduating surgical technology student for entrance into the workforce. Topics include: professionalism, resume preparation, interviewing techniques, basic computer skills and the biomedical sciences such as robotics, physics and electricity. Through lecture, discussion, guest speakers and mock interviews, students will learn how to conduct themselves during the interview process, what potential employers are looking for and how to best present themselves. This course will also serve as a preparation for students to sit for the National Certification Examination offered through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) upon graduation. Test taking strategies, review of material and the application process will be covered in this section. Students will have an opportunity to take a certification exam practice test to determine their strengths. Clinical rotation continues during this course. Prerequisites: All first and second semester courses in the Surgical Technology Program.