The Surgical Technology program is designed for students to earn an AAS degree upon successful completion of the eleven-month program, once accepted into the core program, consisting of three semester of full-time enrollment. The Surgical Technology program at NCMC has a site visit scheduled for pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. This step is neither a status of accreditation nor a guarantee that accreditation will be granted. The curriculum is in alignment with the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology 7th ed., and contains didactic and clinical components. Curriculum is competency-based and is designed to develop health care professionals possessing entry-level skills in surgical technology.
What is a Surgical Technologist?
A surgical technologists, also called operating room technician, assist in surgical operations. They prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors during surgeries. Surgical technologists typically do the following: prepare operating rooms for surgery, sterilize equipment and make sure that there are adequate supplies for surgery, ready patients for surgery, such as washing and disinfecting incision sites, help surgeons during surgery by passing them instruments and other sterile supplies, count supplies, and maintain a sterile environment.
PRE-REQUISITE COURSES
Must complete the pre-requisite courses prior to beginning the Surgical Technology program with a “C” or above.
| CourseID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BI240 | Anatomy | 4 |
| **BI242 | Physiology | 4 |
| AH160 | Basic Medical Terminology | 3 |
| BI243 | Microbiology | 4 |
| Total | 15 | |
- **Requires pre-requisite of Anatomy
General Education Courses
Must complete with “C” or above and may be taken prior to or concurrent with the Surgical Technology program
| CourseID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SP175 | Speech OR | |
| SP220 | Interpersonal Communications | 3 |
| *EN101 | English I | 3 |
| AH106 | Math-Allied Health (or higher level) | 3 |
| *HI103 | American History to 1877 OR | |
| *HI104 | American History Since 1877 OR | |
| *PL216 | National Government | 3 |
| Total | 12 | |
- Note: General Education courses can be taken concurrent with program but preferred to be completed prior to acceptance.
- *Testing Required
- Dual credit/Transfer credit This plan is designed for students with no dual or transfer credit. If you have taken courses at other colleges, you will need to provide official transcripts to NCMC.
- Developmental Studies This plan assumes that the student does not need to take Developmental Study courses. Placement test scores determine whether or not the student will need to complete Developmental Study courses. You can learn more about Developmental Study courses in the NCMC Academic Catalog.
Surgical Technology Courses
Once accepted into the Surgical Technology Program, you will take the following courses.
First Semester
| CourseID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ST100 | Introduction to Surgical Technology | 2 |
| ST103 | Central Services | 4 |
| ST105 | Principles and Practice of Surgical Technology | 2 |
| ST109 | Pharmacology for the Surgical Technologist | 3 |
| Total | 11 | |
Second Semester
| CourseID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ST120 | Fundamentals of Surgical Technology I | 5 |
| ST121 | Fundamentals of Surgical Technology II | 5 |
| ST130 | Procedures I | 5 |
| Total | 15 | |
Third Semester
| CourseID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ST131 | Procedures II | 5 |
| ST140 | Clinical Experience | 6 |
| ST150 | Surgical Technology Capstone | 2 |
| Total | 13 | |
- Note: The core program starts in June and ends in May
To prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.
- Communicate effectively with all members of the healthcare team.
- Achieve clinical requirements of the entry-level surgical technologist, as defined by the ARC STSA.
- Provide aseptic care and practices to ensure the best patient outcomes.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the history of surgery, surgical technology, Code of Ethics and Standard of Practice for the Surgical Technologist.
- Perform the role of a surgical technologist in surgical procedures.
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior in support of the profession.
- Appreciate the value of professional development and continuing education.
Clinical Case Requirements
The NCMC didactic course content must align with the ARC/STSA requirements of clinical cases met for certification purposes. The Clinical Coordinator and Clinical preceptors maintain open and frequent communication to coordinate all aspects of the NCMC Surgical Technology competency-based curriculum.
The following is a breakdown of the clinical case requirement as defined by the current edition of the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology, 7e.
- The total number of cases the student must complete is 120.
- Completion of 30 cases in General Surgery, 20 of these cases must be in the First Scrub Role*.
- Completion of 90 cases in various surgical specialties, 60 of these cases must be in the First Scrub Role. These 90 cases must be distributed between a minimum of five surgical specialties. A max of 15 cases is allowed in any one surgical specialty.
- Diagnostic endoscopy cases and vaginal delivery cases are not mandatory. However, up to 10 diagnostic endoscopic cases and 5 vaginal delivery cases can be counted towards maximum number of Second Scrub Role** cases.
- Observation*** cases must be documented, but do not count towards the 120 required cases.
- Counting Cases: Cases will be counted according to surgical specialty.
- Trauma patient requiring a ORIF of their right tibia and a cholecystectomy. Two cases can be counted and documented, the ORIF is orthopedics and the cholecystectomy is general.
- Patient requiring a breast biopsy followed by a mastectomy. Breast cancer is the only pathology and the only specialty involved is general; therefore, only on case can be documented and counted.
* First Scrub Role
The following is a list of duties performed by the First Scrub Role:
- Verify supplies and equipment needed for the procedure
- Setup the sterile field for the procedure
- Perform needed surgical counts
- Pass instruments and supplies to other sterile team members
** Second Scrub Role
The following is a list of duties performed by the Second Scrub Role:
- Sponging
- Suctioning
- Cutting Suture
- Holding Retractors
- Manipulating endoscopic camera and scope
*** Observation
The student is in the operating room but does not meet the requirements of the First Scrub Role or the Second Scrub role.
- Accepted as NCMC student
- Once Accepted into the Program, will be located at Savannah, MO
- Minimum of “C” or above required in pre-requisite and general education courses
- Pre-Admission Packet (Application will be accepted between July 1st through the application deadline of March 1st for the following program year. Therefore, updated applications will be available by July 1st each year.)
- Minimum of 2.5 GPA in pre-requisite courses
- TEAS for Allied Health Exam (minimum score of 45)
- Attend a Surgical Technology Program Informational Session. Schedule your Session now! (Dates and Times for the info sessions will be available by July 1st each year for the following program year.)
- Clinical Travel up to 90 miles from Savannah
- Job Shadow required prior to admission
- Application Deadline: March 1
Program Contact Information
Kristi Cutsinger, MBA
Program Coordinator of Health Sciences
North Central Missouri College
1301 Main Street
Trenton, MO 64683
[email protected]
(660) 357-6284
JEREMY WILSON, BS (CST)
Surgical Technology Instructor and Program Director
[email protected]
SUSAN MCMILLIAN (CST)
Surgical Technology Instructor and Clinical Coordinator
[email protected]
