SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Surgical technologists are allied health professionals who are integral to the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients. Surgical technologists work under the supervision of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures, ensuring that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Surgical technologists possess expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Duties of a surgical technologist may include, but are not limited to:

• Preparation of the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment, sterile drapes, and sterile solutions.

• Assembling sterile and non-sterile equipment and ensuring equipment is working properly.

• Preparing patients for surgery by preparing incision sites.

• Transporting patients to the operating room, positioning patients on the operating table, and covering the patients with sterile surgical drapes.”

• Assisting during surgery in passing instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons, holding retractors, cutting sutures, and applying dressings.

• Assisting in counting sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments before, during, and after surgical procedures.

• Preparing, caring for, and disposing of specimens.

The profession of surgical technology allows graduates to pursue employment in different surgical environments, including independently owned surgical centers, physicians' offices, hospitals, hospital-owned surgical centers, and many more. The salary range varies depending on experience, certifications, and the area in which you are employed. View job opportunities and salary information at https://www.angelina.edu/surgical-technology/

The Surgical Technology program at Angelina College requires students to meet certain technical standards to ensure they can perform the essential functions necessary for success in both the educational setting and future professional practice. These standards are vital for ensuring patient safety and maintaining the high level of competency expected in the field. View the technical standards and occupational risks at Angelina College Surgical Technology Technical Standards

 The following skills and abilities will be necessary for an individual applying for admission to the surgical technology program:

• Be an active listener and communicate verbally or in writing

• Possess a personal commitment to their education and the field of surgical technology

• Be conscientious, orderly, and emotionally stable

• Possess the ability to respond quickly, act independently, and as a functioning team member

• Manual dexterity to handle instruments quickly

• Possess the ability to handle the demands of the operating room environment

• Be professional, dependable, reliable, and a critical thinker

• Stay abreast of new developments in their field by continuing their education

• Responsible and able to work well under pressure

• Able to meet the emotional and physical needs of their patients

• Sensitive to the needs of people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds

• Able to keep information private

• Ability to stay calm in emergency situations

• Friendly and helpful to patients and staff

Program Accreditation

Angelina College Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), The Angelina College Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (https://arcstsa.org/). CAAHEP, 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775; phone: 727-210-2350, www.caahep.org  and  by the Accreditation Review Council for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA), ARC/STSA, 19751 East Mainstreet, Suite #339, Parker, CO 80138, Phone: 303-694-9262

Email: info@arcstsa.org

Mission and Philosophy

The Surgical Technology program, in concert with the mission and philosophy of Angelina College, is committed to providing a quality and comprehensive education in surgical technology for entry-level preparation into the profession.

Program Goals

1. To prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

2. To produce graduates who are eligible and competent to pass the Certification for Surgical Technology (CST) examination upon completion of the program.

3. To promote and foster a desire for life-long learning and professional growth in each program graduate.

4. To provide students with academic and clinical instruction in the field of Surgical Technology to meet the employment needs of the graduate and medical communities.

Admission Criteria

Although Angelina College has an open-door policy, specific programs in the College have selective admission.  The surgical technology program (SRGT) has selected admission because more students apply to the program than the program can accommodate.  To be eligible for consideration for selection, applicants for the SRGT program must meet the following admission criteria.  Meeting the criteria for selection does not guarantee admission to the program.  Final selection will be based on the applicant pool and space available.

The following are the Admission Criteria for the Surgical Technology program:

1. Gain admission to Angelina College

   Refer to the Angelina College Catalog and follow the steps outlined under “Admission Information.”

   ●        Submit official high school transcripts, GED scores, and ALL previous college transcripts to Angelina College.

2. Pre-admission Tests Texas State Initiative (TSI)

   ●        ALL students must comply with the admission criteria

   ●        Please contact the Angelina College Testing Center at (936) 633-5495 or ac_tc@angelina.edu for testing times and dates.

3. Required pre-requisite courses

   Must have all prerequisites completed with a grade of C or above by the end of the spring semester. SRGT 1405 – Introduction to Surgical Technology is a prerequisite course; up to sixteen (16) qualified applicants are chosen to participate in this course. Upon completion of SRGT 1405, the top 10-12 students are chosen to continue into the program, along with two alternates.

    

   It is strongly suggested that students complete BIOL 2420 – Microbiology before the summer I semester. This course must be completed by the end of the fall semester in the program, or the student will be withdrawn from the surgical technology program.

   However, this does not include A&P I or II, Medical Terminology, Dosage Calculations, English, or Student Success.

    

   Some prerequisite courses may be taken during the program with the program director's approval. Prerequisite courses may be taken only twice for selection consideration. If a prerequisite course is taken more than twice, only the second grade will be calculated in the cumulative GPA for the prerequisite

4. Attend a Surgical Technology Information Session

   Applicants are required to attend an information session to obtain an application and receive further information.  Dates for information sessions are published on the Angelina College website, in local newspapers, or may be obtained from the program at (936) 633-5265 or (936) 633-5275. 

5. Program Application

   Submit a completed application with all required documents as listed on the front of the application packet by the designated date. This must include a complete American Heart Association BLS (CPR) card, copies of immunizations and titer results, an essay, and letters of reference.

6. Ranking of Applicants

   Acceptance into the surgical technology program is limited; therefore, if the application pool exceeds the maximum enrollment capacity, applicants may be ranked and selected based on a point system. The point system will be based upon completing an information session; former healthcare-related work experience and or certifications; completion of the required prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C” and completion of ALL requirements by the posted deadline. Applicants must be prepared to participate in an interview the second Monday after the application deadline.  

7. Interview

   The top 16 applicants will be interviewed individually by an interview committee. Letters of reference are also encouraged and are given points for (maximum of 3).

8. Essay

   Each applicant is required to write a short essay on their interest in the surgical technology profession.

   Essay Criteria: Top of page – Name and date, title, 1-2 pages in length, double-spaced, sign the last page.

9. Notification of Acceptance

   Upon “conditional” acceptance to the program, a random drug screen and background check will be done at the student’s expense. This is paid for through the student's Castle Branch account.

10. Drug Screening and Background Check

    The drug screening and background check must be successful/negative to receive “full” acceptance into the Surgical Technology program.

11. Clinical Rotations

    You must be 18 years old before attending the first 1 day of clinicals to participate in clinical rotations.

Anyone convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation or hospitalized or treated for mental illness or chemical dependency must contact the program director for advisement. Any of these incidents can make you ineligible for certification by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).