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Medical & Healthcare Programs ►Surgical Technologist Certification Program with Externship


Program includes National Certification & an Externship Opportunity | Mentor Supported



The Surgical Technologist Profession

Surgical technologists are members of the surgical team working under the supervision and authority of the surgeon within the scope of practice of state law and hospital policy. These surgical team members help prepare the operating room by setting up sterile surgical instruments, equipment, supplies, and medications. They check to ensure that all equipment is in the proper place and working properly. Theyalso assist the surgeon in donning PPE as well as transport the patient to the OR, position and drape the patient for the specific procedure, prepare the skin for the procedure, and assist the surgeon as needed during the procedure. They must know medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology as well as the many different types of surgical instruments and equipment, proper infection control procedure, and effective communication strategies used with team members and the patient prior to and after the surgical procedure.

The Sterile Processing Technician Program

This course provides an introduction to the surgical technologist career, role in the operating room, and foundational concepts. This comprehensive course will prepare students to enter the healthcare field and take the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam. Course content includes medical terminology and anatomy and physiology foundations, reading and interpreting prescriptions and defining generic and brand names drugs and much, much more! Program also includes a clinical externship at a local healthcare provider! This program will prepare students to enter the pharmacy field and to pursue certification including the American Allied Health (AAH) Surgical Technologist Certification national certification exam. This course covers the following key areas and topics:

  • Operating room roles and responsibilities
  • Medical terminology, human anatomy, physiology, and medical conditions.
  • Proper infection control procedures and practices for patient care
  • Sterile surgical environment
  • Surgical instruments, equipment, supplies, materials, and medications for general and specialized surgical procedures.
  • Preparing the patient for a surgical procedure
  • Caring for the patient during a surgical procedure
  • Caring for the patient after the surgical procedure.
  • Preparing the surgical environment for specific procedures.
  • Selected surgical procedures including the role of the surgical technologist.
  • Medical laws and ethics related to surgical procedures
  • Effective communication and patient care strategies

Surgical Technologist Detailed Course Information:

  • Explain the role of the surgical technician in the operating room and as part of the surgical team.
  • Use proper medical terminology based in human anatomy, physiology, and medical conditions.
  • Explain proper infection control procedures and practices required in patient care and in the sterile surgical environment.
  • Identify the surgical instruments, equipment, supplies, materials, and medications used in general and specialized surgical procedures.
  • Explain the procedures performed in preparing the patient for a surgical procedure, caring for the patient during a surgical procedure, and caring for the patient after the surgical procedure.
  • Explain how to prepare the surgical environment for specific surgical procedures.
  • Explain selected surgical procedures including the role of the surgical technologist.
  • Discuss the medical laws and ethics related to surgical procedures and the surgical technologist position.
  • Explain effective communication and patient care strategies used for a variety of surgical patients including those with special needs.

INTRODUCTION TO THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST ROLE

  • Demonstrate the principles of communication in the surgical setting.
  • Identify members of the surgical team and the role of each.
  • Describe the surgical technician’s job description.
  • Describe the surgical technology professional organizations.

MEDICAL LAW AND ETHICS

  • Explain the legal concepts related to surgical technology.
  • Identify the legal responsibilities of the surgical technologist and other members of the surgical team.
  • Differentiate between criminal and civil liabilities.
  • Explain professional liability insurance.
  • Discuss a surgical conscience.
  • Identify the standards of conduct for the surgical technologist.
  • Define ethics and its role in professional practice.
  • Discuss scope of practice issues for the surgical technologist.

THE SURGICAL PATIENT

  • Demonstrate awareness that all surgical patients have the right to the highest standards and practices in asepsis.
  • Explain possible patient responses to illness and hospitalization.
  • Explain the physical, spiritual, and psychological needs of a patient.
  • Explain cultural and religious influences of the surgical patient.
  • Explain different patient responses to the process of death.
  • Explain the procedure for a patient death in the operating room.

SPECIAL SURGICAL POPULATIONS

  • Identify the different types of special surgical populations.
  • Discuss the unique needs, challenges, and issues for each type of special surgical patient.
  • Identify the intraoperative considerations for each type of special surgical patient.
  • Discuss the role of the surgical technician in the surgical care of each type of special surgical patient.

THE PHYSICAL SURGICAL ENVIRONMENT

  • Identify the areas of the surgical department and the purpose of each role.
  • Identify the roles of healthcare professionals who support the surgical department.
  • Identify the common equipment, components, features, and layout of the typical surgical environment.
  • Explain the physical and biological hazards in the surgical environment.
  • Explain sharps safety concepts and procedures.
  • Explain proper procedures for hazardous waste disposal.
  • Identify the regulatory agencies involved in establishing and enforcing standards in the surgical environment.

BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE SURGICAL ENVIRONMENT

  • Identify the basic components of a computer system.
  • Discuss the basic functions of computer systems commonly used in surgical environment.
  • Discuss the role of computers in patient care.
  • Explain the precautions required for electrical safety.
  • Explain the basic principles of electricity as they relate to the operating room.
  • Identify common surgical lasers and their clinical applications.
  • Define the hybrid OR and its advantages.
  • Discuss robotic procedures and the role of the surgical technologist.
  • Explain the risks for patients and surgical team members for the following technologies: lasers, electrosurgery, and diagnostic radiation.

INFECTION CONTROL

  • Explain principles of asepsis and sterile technique in the surgical environment.
  • Define surgical conscience.
  • Explain the principles and procedures related to disinfection and sterilization.
  • Explain the standards of practice related to sterile technique for surgical technicians.

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

  • Identify the different types of emergency situations potentially faced by a surgical team, including different types of disasters.
  • Describe injuries that can result from radiological, chemical, and biological warfare including common treatments.
  • Explain the role of the surgical technician during an emergency event.
  • Describe common component of a national disaster plan for a hospital.
  • Explain the initial response and common first steps during an emergency event.

ANESTHESIA AND PHARMACOLOGY

  • Define pharmacology including what is meant by action and modes of administration of medications.
  • Define the terminology and abbreviations associated with pharmacology and anesthesia.
  • Convert equivalents from one system to another.
  • Accurately identify and measure medications for patient use.
  • Explain the proper procedure for transferring medications and solutions from the nonsterile area to the sterile field.
  • Explain the proper procedure for identifying a medication or solution on the sterile field.
  • Explain the side effects and contraindications for the use of selected medications and anesthetic drugs.
  • Explain factors that influence anesthesia selection for patients.
  • Identify equipment used during anesthesia administration.
  • Explain how to measure and record vital signs.
  • Explain sterile technique for anesthesia procedures.
  • Describe the role of the surgical technician in anesthesia administration.

SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES

  • Describe common instrumentation, the classification, and the general purpose used in the surgical setting.
  • Explain basic instrument care and handling.
  • Describe common instrument sets used in the surgical setting.
  • Describe common specialty equipment used in the surgical setting.
  • Describe common accessory equipment used in the surgical setting.
  • Describe the common supplies used in the surgical setting.
  • Describe use of catheters, tubes, and drains in the surgical setting.
  • Describe use of irrigators and syringes in the surgical setting.

WOUND HEALING AND CLOSURE

  • Define hemostasis.
  • Describe common methods of hemostasis and blood replacement.
  • Explain wound healing.
  • List potential complications associated with wound healing.
  • Explain the classification of surgical wounds.
  • Identify types of traumatic wounds.
  • Identify factors associated with wound healing.
  • Describe inflammation.
  • Describe the use of common suture materials and stapling devices.
  • Explain how to prepare and handle suturing and stapling devices.
  • Describe common suturing techniques.
  • Describe common stapling instruments.

SURGICAL CASE MANAGEMENT

  • Define the role of the surgical technologist in each phase of surgical case management.
  • Explain the use of the surgeon’s preference card.
  • Explain common preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative routines and preparation procedures.
  • Describe the procedures required for safe and efficient patient transport to the OR.
  • Describe the procedures required for safe transfer and positioning to the OR table.
  • Explain patient heat loss and devices used to maintain patient normal core temperature or desired hypothermia for surger
  • Explain how vital signs are monitored during surgery.
  • Describe the various patient positions and safety precautions for surgery.
  • Describe procedures required for, the purpose of, and considerations for urethral catheterization.
  • Explain the procedure for preparing the skin for specific body areas for surgery.
  • Explain the attire and PPE required in the OR.
  • Explain proper OR preparation procedures.
  • Explain the procedures required for creating and maintaining the sterile field.
  • Explain how to perform a surgical scrub and its purpose.
  • Explain the procedure for donning and removing PPE required in the OR including changing it when necessary during the procedure.
  • Explain the purpose and related procedure of the preoperative count.
  • Explain how to assist other team members in the OR.
  • Describe how to drape the surgical patient for specific procedures.
  • Explain the purpose of the time out.
  • Explain how to mark the skin incision.
  • Explain the proper procedure for passing instruments and supplies during surgery.
  • Explain the procedure for caring for the incision site and applying a dressing.
  • Explain how to breakdown the OR setup after the procedure.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

  • Explain the sources of patient data that is used for the surgical procedure.
  • Define the various intraoperative techniques used to establish a diagnosis.
  • Explain the care and handling of specimens.

THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST'S ROLE AND COMMON PROCEDURES: GENERAL SURGERY

  • Identify the relevant anatomy and terminology related to selected surgical procedures.
  • Indicated common pathology related to selected surgical procedures.
  • Identify the general surgery instruments, supplies, and specialty equipment.
  • Explain the intraoperative patient preparations required for selected procedures.
  • Summarize general surgical steps for selected procedures.
  • Explain the immediate postoperative care for the patient including possible complications afterselected procedures.
  • Identify common variations related to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of the general surgical patient.

THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST'S ROLE AND COMMON PROCEDURES: OBSTETRIC AND GYNECOLOGIC SURGERY

  • Identify the relevant anatomy and terminology related to the female reproductive system.
  • Indicated common pathology related to selected female reproductive surgical procedures.
  • Identify the general surgery instruments, supplies, and specialty equipment.
  • Explain the intraoperative patient preparations required for selected procedures.
  • Summarize surgical steps for selected procedures.
  • Explain the immediate postoperative care for the patient including possible complications after selected procedures.
  • Identify common variations related to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of the obstetric and gynecological surgical patient.

THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST'S ROLE AND COMMON PROCEDURES: OPHTHALMIC SURGERY

  • Identify the relevant anatomy and terminology related to the eye.
  • Indicated common pathology related to ophthalmic surgical procedures.
  • Identify the general surgery instruments, supplies, and specialty equipment.
  • Explain the intraoperative patient preparations required for selected procedures.
  • Summarize surgical steps for selected procedures.
  • Explain the immediate postoperative care for the patient including possible complications after selected procedures.
  • Identify common variations related to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of the ophthalmic surgical patient.

THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST'S ROLE AND COMMON PROCEDURES: OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGIC SURGERY

  • Identify the relevant anatomy and terminology related to the ear, nose, and upper aerodigestive tract.
  • Indicated common pathology related to ophthalmic surgical procedures.
  • Identify the general surgery instruments, supplies, and specialty equipment.
  • Explain the intraoperative patient preparations required for selected procedures.
  • Summarize surgical steps for selected procedures.
  • Explain the immediate postoperative care for the patient including possible complications after selected procedures.
  • Identify common variations related to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of the otorhinolaryngologic surgical patient.

THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST'S ROLE AND COMMON PROCEDURES: ORAL AND MAXILOFACIAL SURGERY

  • Identify the relevant anatomy and terminology related to the oral and maxillofacial surgery.
  • Indicated common pathology related to oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures.
  • Identify the general surgery instruments, supplies, and specialty equipment.
  • Explain the intraoperative patient preparations required for selected procedures.
  • Summarize surgical steps for selected procedures.
  • Explain the immediate postoperative care for the patient including possible complications after selected procedures.
  • Identify common variations related to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of the oral and maxillofacial surgical patient.

THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST'S ROLE AND COMMON PROCEDURES: PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

  • Identify the relevant anatomy and terminology related to the skin and related structures and tissues.
  • Indicated common pathology that requires plastic/reconstructive surgical intervention.
  • Identify the general surgery instruments, supplies, and specialty equipment.
  • Explain the intraoperative patient preparations required for selected procedures.
  • Summarize surgical steps for selected procedures.
  • Identify common variations related to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of the plastic/reconstructive surgical patient.

THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST'S ROLE AND COMMON PROCEDURES: GENITOURINARY SURGERY

  • Identify the relevant anatomy and terminology related to the genitourinary system.
  • Indicated common pathology that requires genitourinary surgical intervention.
  • Identify the general surgery instruments, supplies, and specialty equipment.
  • Explain the intraoperative patient preparations required for selected procedures.
  • Summarize surgical steps for selected procedures.
  • Identify common variations related to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of the genitourinary surgical patient.

THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST'S ROLE AND COMMON PROCEDURES: ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY

  • Identify the relevant anatomy and terminology related to the musculoskeletal system.
  • Indicated common pathology that requires musculoskeletal surgical intervention.
  • Identify the general surgery instruments, supplies, and specialty equipment.
  • Explain the intraoperative patient preparations required for selected procedures.
  • Summarize surgical steps for selected procedures.
  • Identify common variations related to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of the orthopedic surgical patient.

THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST'S ROLE AND COMMON PROCEDURES: CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY

  • Identify the relevant anatomy and terminology related to the cardiovascular and respiratory system.
  • Indicated common pathology that requires cardiovascular and respiratory surgical intervention.
  • Identify the general surgery instruments, supplies, and specialty equipment.
  • Explain the intraoperative patient preparations required for selected procedures.
  • Summarize surgical steps for selected procedures.
  • Identify common variations related to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of the cardiothoracic surgical patient.

THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST'S ROLE AND COMMON PROCEDURES: PERIPHERAL VASCULAR SURGERY

  • Identify the relevant anatomy and terminology related to the cardiovascular and respiratory system.
  • Indicated common pathology that requires cardiovascular and respiratory surgical intervention.
  • Identify the general surgery instruments, supplies, and specialty equipment.
  • Explain the intraoperative patient preparations required for selected procedures.
  • Summarize surgical steps for selected procedures.
  • Identify common variations related to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of the cardiothoracic surgical patient.

THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST'S ROLE AND COMMON PROCEDURES: NEUROSURGERY

  • Identify the relevant anatomy and terminology related to the nervous system.
  • Indicated common pathology of the nervous system that requires surgical intervention.
  • Identify the general surgery instruments, supplies, and specialty equipment.
  • Explain the intraoperative patient preparations required for selected procedures.
  • Summarize surgical steps for selected procedures.
  • Identify common variations related to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of the neurosurgical patient.

Education and National Certifications

  • Sterlie Processing Technicians should have or be pursuing a high school diploma or GED.
  • Students who complete this course are prepared for national certification:
    • American Allied Health (AAH) Surgical Technologist Certification national certification exam


National Certification

Students who complete the Auburn University Surgical Technologist program will be prepared to sit for the American Allied Health (AAH) Surgical Technologist Certification national certification exam(s). In order to work as a Surgical Technologist, many states nationwide are requiring that learners achieve national certification prior to working in that state. Students who complete this program are encouraged tocomplete the practical/clinical externship option with their program. This comprehensive program is designed to prepare students to sit for American Allied Health (AAH) Surgical Technologist Certification exam(s). Students who complete this program can and do sit for the American Allied Health (AAH) Surgical Technologist Certification national certification exam(s) and are qualified, eligible and prepared to do so.

Externship / Hands on Training / Practicum

Although not a requirement, once students complete the program, they have the ability to participate in an externship and/or hands on practicum so as to practice the skills necessary to perform the job requirements of a professional in this field. Students will be assisted with completing a resume and/or other requirements necessary to work in this field. All students who complete this program are eligible to participate in an externship and will be placed with a participating organization near their location. The institution works with national organizations and has the ability to place students in externship opportunities nationwide.