Program: Surgical Technologist - Community College of Baltimore County

Program Description

This course series prepares students to take the national certification exam to become a certified surgical technologist. Surgical technologists play an integral role in the surgical team within the operating room at hospitals, physician’s offices, and surgi-centers. Surgical technologists prepare the operating room and sterile field; they set up surgical equipment, supplies & solutions. During surgery surgical technologists pass instruments, fluids and supplies to the surgeon while simultaneously managing the sterile field and specimens. They are also responsible for performing a count of instruments, sponges, and other supplies to prevent foreign retained objects. (www.ast.org)

The surgical technology program is in the process of transitioning to the credit side of the college in order to maintain accreditation. Students interested in applying to the surgical technology program for fall of 2022 should begin completing these credit-bearing program prerequisites in preparation of this migration:

ENG 101
BIOL 109
MATH 135
ALHL 115

The first anticipated cohort will begin in fall (September) of 2022 (subject to change). Interested students should contact CEHealth@ccbcmd.edu after February 1^st, 2022 for information regarding the program and its application process.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:

function as an ethical and patient-centered healthcare professional,
combine knowledge from basic and surgical science with critical thinking to function as a competent entry-level surgical technologist, and
successfully complete the National Certifying Exam administered by the NBSTSA.

Program Credentials

CCBC Credential: Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, and will have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript). Students will be prepared to take the national certification exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to become a certified surgical technologist (CST). Taking the exam is a graduation requirement of all program participants and is included in the cost of the program (students are not required to pass the exam for graduation).

Certifying Organization:

National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTA)

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) www.caahep.org; 727-210-2350; FAX: 727-210-2354 25400. US Highway 19 North, Suite 158 Clearwater, FL 33763.

Disclosures

CCBC cannot confirm whether the course or program meets requirements for professional licensure in states other than Maryland. If you plan to apply for licensure in a state other than Maryland, contact that state’s licensing board to determine whether the CCBC course or program meets requirements for licensure in that state. If you need assistance finding contact information for your state, click here .

Financial Aid and Payment Options

CCBC currently offers Continuing Education (CE) financial aid to those who qualify. We package public and private funding options to benefit students which include COVID-19 relief funding, the Maryland Sequence Scholarship, CCBC Opportunity Grant funding, Maryland Promise, and Baltimore County College Promise. Financial aid funding is available for select CE courses and programs.

Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.

For more information about funding resources and how to apply for them, please contact the CCBC Continuing Education Information Center at 443-840-4700.

Pell Funding: this program is eligible for grants and college loans. Go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to apply for Federal financial aid.

Program Length

13 - 18 months

Courses are held at the Liberty Extension Center In Randallstown starting in February and July. The February cohort has classes (times vary) on Mondays & Wednesdays for modules I - III; module IV consists of hospital clinicals Monday thru Wednesday from 7:00am to 3:30pm and class on Thursdays 9:00am to 1:00pm. The July cohort has classes (times vary) on Tuesdays & Thursdays for module I - III; module IV consists of hospital clinicals Monday thru Wednesday from 7:00am to 3:30pm and class on Thursdays 9:00am to 1:00pm. Specific cohort schedules are distributed during the orientation session.

Program Requirements

Information /Orientation:

All students who are selected for the program will receive a conditional acceptance letter and are required to attend an orientation session. Date, time, and location of the orientation will be included in your acceptance letter. All students must have a valid CCBC email account to view correspondence from the program coordinator.

All students must be computer literate and have Internet access.

Students must have the following paperwork turned in to the coordinator PRIOR to the end date of Module II (do not submit with application):

Negative PPD (six months) or negative chest x-ray less than one year old
Positive titer or proof of vaccination/immunity for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella
Current Flu vaccination
Hepatitis B vaccination or declination form
Tetanus shot (less than ten years)
Copy of health insurance card
Copy of high school diploma or GED
Clinical eligibility is in part dependent upon a criminal background check and random urine drug testing. Cost of testing is the responsibility of the student. More information will be provided in module I.

Prior Learning Assessment

This program has potential options for waiving select courses based on previous coursework or articulated coursework from an approved curriculum, or successful completion of a CCBC placement or challenge exam. A maximum of 631 program hours may be earned from prior learning. Note: course waivers may affect Pell eligibility.

Application Process

To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Non-Credit Workforce Training Certificate application. Then, email CEHealth@ccbcmd.edu for information about upcoming course options and the application process.

Selective Entry - The Surgical Technologist program requires the following application and acceptance process:

1. To register for the surgical technology application course, please email CEhealth@ccbcmd.edu for upcoming course information.

2. In order to meet all of the requirements for the application, you must submit all of the following items:

Application (2 pages)
- Must be submitted as a .doc, .docx or .pdf
Admissions Essay (guidelines & topic are available in Brightspace)
- Must be submitted as a .doc, .docx or .pdf
Scanned copy of the following:
- College Transcript (unless you have completed your prerequisites at CCBC)
- High school diploma or GED
Other requirements for specific areas of study as detailed in Brightspace (CPR card from another agency)
ALL REQUIRED PREREQUISTES MUST BE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED BEFORE THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IN ORDER TO APPLY

3. In addition to the requirements above, all applicants will have to take an admissions exam at a CCBC testing center before the application deadline. Further instructions can be found under the tab ‘Admissions Exam’ in the application class in Brightspace.

4. All applicants will be notified via CCBC student email and mail regarding the admission decision approximately 10 business days after the application deadline.

5. If selected, please plan to attend the mandatory orientation as detailed in your conditional acceptance letter.

Program Course Sequence

CPR and First Aid classes REQUIRE 100% attendance. Students arriving late to class will not be admitted. Late arrival to, or early exit from, class will also result in a failing grade and no refund. Students will then be required to retake the class at their expense.

Course Number	Course Title	Course Hours	Costs T=Tuition/F=Fees	Textbook Information (approximate cost; subject to change) **
*Prerequisites* *(not covered by Pell funding):*
AHE 534 or AHE124	Medical Terminology for Health Occupations or Medical Terminology for Health Occupations Online	30	$329 T-$99/F-$230	Programmed Learning Approach to Medical Terminology, Third Edition Price is approximately $87.95
AHE 519 or AHE 672	Anatomy and Physiology or Anatomy and Physiology Online	30	$329 T-$99/F-$230	Anatomy & Physiology – The Human Body in Health & Disease 7th edition.  Publisher Elsevier.  Author Patton & Thibodeau. ISBN 978-0-323-402118 $74.60
WOS 064 or AHL217	Basic Math for Health Care Workers	10	$145 T-$44/F-$101	Handouts online
AHE 805	CPR For Health Care Providers	7	$109 T-$33/F-$76	Included in course cost and provided during class
AHL 140	Essential Skills for the Healthcare Professional	20	$179 T-$54/F-$125	Handouts Provided
*Prerequisite Totals:*		97	$1091 T-$329/F-$762	$163.59*
*Module I:*
AHL 160	Introduction to Surgical Technology	63	$1020 T-$306/F-$714	Surgical technology principles and practices textbook, 7^th edition; Fuller (Elsevier) ISBN: 978-0-323-39473-4 Surgical technology principles and practices workbook, 7^th edition; Fuller (Elsevier) ISBN: 978-0-323-39474-1
AHL 846	Introduction to Suture and Surgical Instrumentation	36	$550 T-$165/F-$385	Differentiating surgical instruments textbook and “Surg tech in practice” access code (included with new purchase) 3^rd edition; Rutherford (F.A.Davis/Plus) ISBN: 978-0-8036-6831-7
AHL 161	Microbiology for Surgical Technology	36	$660 T-$198/F-$462	Microbiology for Surgical Technologists Rodriguez Delmar/Cengage ISBN: 978-1-111-30666-3
*Module I Totals:*		135	$2230 T-$669/F-$1561	Estimated cost of books $350*
*Module II:*
AHL 849	Surgical Anatomy and Pathology I	48	$770 T-$231/F-$539	Same as AHL 160 & AHL 846
AHL 851	Surgical Pathology and Procedures I	48	$770 T-$231F-$539	Same as AHL 160 & AHL 846 Pocket Guide to the Operating Room; published by FA Davis; 0803612265
AHL 165	Surgical Technology II	48	$1020 T-$306/F-$714	Same as AHL 160
*Module II Totals:*		144	$2560 T-$768/F-$1792	Estimated cost of book $54.00*
*Module III:*
AHL 854	Introduction to the Hospital Setting	63	$660 T-$198/F-$462	Same as AHL 160 & AHL 846
AHL 855	Surgical Technology Skills Laboratory	94	$770 T-$231/F-$539	Same as AHL 160 & AHL 846
AHL 850	Surgical Anatomy and Pathology II	48	$770 T-$231/F-$539	Same as AHL 160 & AHL 846
AHL 852	Surgical Pathology and Procedures II	48	$770 T-$231/F-$539	Same as AHL 160 & AHL 846
*Module III Totals:*		253	$2970 T-$891/F-$2079	$0
*Module IV:*
AHL 856 AHL 857 AHL 858 AHL 859	Surgical Technology Clinical A-D	400 (100 each)	$2440 ($610 each) T-$732/F-$1708	Same as AHL 160
AHE 714	Surgical Technology Capstone	48	$230 T-$69/F-$161	Surgical Technology Exam Review
*Module IV Totals:*		448	$2670 T-$801/F-$1869	$0
*Course Series Totals:*		982	$10430 T-$3129/F-$7301	$404
*Course Series & Prerequisite Totals:*		1079	$11521 T-$3458/F-$8063	Estimated total $ 567.99*

Additional Course

Surgical Technology Certification Exam Prep
This course is designed to prepare surgical technologists to take the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting certification exam. Topics to be covered include pre-operative preparation, intra-operative procedures, post-operative procedures, anatomy & physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology.

Course Number

Course Title

Course Hours

Costs

T=Tuition/F=Fees

Textbook

AHL 262

Certified Surgical Technologist Exam Prep

24

$225

T-$68/F-$157

N/A

Additional Information

Course Substitutions:
Medical Terminology AHE 534 can be substituted with OFAD/MDAS 141, or ALHL 115, or AHL 717 or AHE 124
Anatomy and Physiology AHE 519 can be substituted with AHE 672, or AHL 715, or BIOL 109, or BIOL 220 and BIOL 221.
Basic Math WOS 064 can be substituted with AHL 716 or MATH 083.

Students who have worked in a healthcare facility for more than 3 years full-time, may waive Essential Skills with proper documentation.
Current CPR certification can be substituted for the CPR requirement.

Additional Expenses:
Students are responsible for the cost of all medical testing, background check, drug screening, and scrubs/uniforms requirements. An estimate of these costs is $800.

Skills for Success:
See Technical Standards at the end of this document.

Career Opportunities:
Students may be able to move into a position of surgical first assistant with extra training at a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited institution. They can also teach, become supervisors in the surgical department, or pursue a career in the medical device industry.

Students who complete the program and receive their certification can receive credits toward an associate of applied science in Allied Health through the School of Health Professions.

Additional Information:
Additional information may be found at the Association of Surgical Technologists website http://www.ast.org/

Surgical Technology Program and Exam Completion Disclosure:

Annual Reporting Year	Academic Year	OAE* Reported	# of Students Graduated (CST* Exam-Eligible)	# of Students Who Took CST Exam	# of Students Who Passed CST Exam	% of Students Who Passed CST Exam
2021	8/1/2019-7/31/2020	CST	10	10	7	70%
2020	8/1/2018-7/31/2019	CST	17	17	14	82%
2019	8/1/2017-7/31/2018	CST	18	18	10	56%
2018	8/1/2016-7/31/2017	CST	12	12	12	100%

*OAE: outcomes of assessment exam

*CST: certified surgical technologist

Career Coach

Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more. View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at: https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA . Explore career and training opportunities at: https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.

Program Contact Information

For more information email CEHealth@ccbcmd.edu

Technical Standards

Technical Standards for CCBC’s Surgical Technology Training Series

The primary goal of The Community College of Baltimore County’s Surgical Technology Series is to adequately prepare students for an entry-level position in the operating room functioning as a surgical technologist. The duties of a surgical technologist require the ability to stand for long hours while constantly being focused on the task at hand. They need to exercise safe practices while exposed to unpleasant sights, odors, materials, and communicable diseases. Their duties also require them to be detail oriented and to work accurately and quickly. A high level of manual dexterity, psychomotor skills, and integrity are vital.

Following is a partial listing of the types of skills usually required for adequate job performance:

Physical Requirements:

A. Sufficient strength and mobility to:

Lift and position anesthetized patients
Move swiftly within close quarters while maintaining the sterile field
Lift large instrument trays weighing up to 30 pounds
Stand in one small area for long periods of time

B. Fine motor coordination sufficient to perform precise and delicate tasks such as:

Handle delicate surgical instruments
Safely handle surgical and hypodermic needles
Manipulate instruments while attached to body tissues

C. Adequate vision to:

Visualize and control fine surgical needles and suture
Identify fine microsurgical instruments
Read medication labels at least one foot away
Visualize the operative field in detail
Read instruction sheets and computer screens

D. Sufficient hearing to:

Hear and understand verbal instructions under noisy conditions from masked personnel
Hear alarms and operating noises of surgical equipment

Interpersonal Skills and Professionalism:

A. Have the ability to:

Work in a professional manner as a member of the surgical team under extremely stressful situations
Remain calm and perform as trained during emergency and life and death situations
Interact in a professional manner with many personalities and attitudes and with people from many different backgrounds
Respect and protect patient rights and confidentiality without regard to personal beliefs and judgments
Maintain proper certifications required to perform the duties of the profession
Maintain a surgical conscience
Willingness to precept others
Commitment to working shifts as assigned, which may include on-call, holidays, and weekends

B. Sufficient communication skills to:

Give and receive accurate written and verbal instructions
Carry out all written and verbal instructions
Follow proper channels of communication
Communicate in a calm and professional manner
Accurately interpret the patient’s needs
Communicate clearly and effectively to any team members regarding breaches in sterile technique
Provide patient/public education related to the profession of surgical technology

Intellectual ability and emotional stability to:

Exercise independent judgment to properly care for the surgical patient
Accurately utilize all resource material available to prepare for a surgical procedure
Accurately identify, calculate dosage, and transfer medications
Work calmly and efficiently in stressful situations
Maintain calm during emergency situations
Perform duties while exposed to communicable diseases and unpleasant sights, odors, and materials
Accept feedback from others
Complete program requirements

Environment Requirements:

A. Surgical technology work involves risks and/or discomforts that require special safety precautions including, but not limited to:

Wearing gowns, caps, masks, gloves, and eye protection
Providing proof of recent immunizations against infectious diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella
Receiving Hepatitis B vaccine and annual testing for exposure to tuberculosis
Submitting to periodic drug screening
Being exposed to bio-hazardous materials (blood)