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Associate of Occupational Science in Surgical Technology

Overview

Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP): 51.0909 (Surgical Technology/Technologist)

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 29-2055.00 (Surgical Technologists)

Quarter Credits: 102.0

Clock Hours: 1600

Method of Delivery: Blended

Number of Weeks: 80*

*Weeks May Be Extended Depending On Holiday Schedules

Career Training Objective

The goal of the Associate of Occupational Science Degree in Surgical Technology program is the preparation of competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive, psychomotor and affective learning domains needed to assist with surgical patient care.

The program achieves the primary educational objectives through lectures combined with text, visual aids, and personal experiences of the faculty. The syllabi are such that they allow both depth and scope and adequate time to fully cover each subject. Objectives are reviewed regularly and consistently to make certain they are met. 

Select core courses in the Surgical Technology program will be in a blended delivery format. Blended courses combine traditional or face-to-face classroom instruction with an online learning environment to optimize the learning experience of the user. Blended courses are indicated by an asterisk (*) in the course listings below.

“Cognitive Domain.” The student will: 1) understand the fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, and Infectious Process and relate these to safe patient care practices; 2) understand the principles of safe patient care in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative settings; and 3) recognize the Surgical Technologist’s independent role with the other team members and ancillary service providers.

“Psychomotor Domain.” The student will: 1) develop and apply fundamental surgical-assisting skills through practice and evaluation in clinical settings; 2) effectively and accurately apply the principles of asepsis across the range of common surgical experiences; and 3) apply standard precautions and other recognized safe practice guidelines in all surgical settings.

“Affective Domain.” The student will: 1) appreciate the variety of patients’ needs and the impact of their personal, physical, emotional, and cultural experiences in providing patient care; 2) demonstrate professional responsibility in performance, attitude, and personal conduct; and 3) provide optimal patient care within the confines of the health care community.

The Surgical Technologist functions in association with nurses and surgeons as part of the operating room team to provide care to the patient during the crucial periods of surgery. The Surgical Technologist must create and maintain a safe operating room environment through aseptic surgical techniques. The Surgical Technologist must know the fundamental steps and routine procedures needed to assist the surgeon in the use of surgical instrumentation. Maintaining the equipment and sterile supplies needed to successfully complete each operation is essential to perform efficiently as a member of the surgical team.

The training program is divided into eight 10-week quarters. Clinical experience in hospital settings and surgery centers is required for successful completion of the program, and these clinical rotations total 540 hours (270 hours in quarter VII and 270 hours in quarter VIII). Each quarter is comprised of prescribed subjects or studies that build upon each other.

To complete the program, students must sit for the certification examination administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. Graduates will qualify for employment as entry-level Surgical Technologists with hospitals and surgery centers.

Completion of the program is acknowledged by the awarding of an Associate of Occupational Science degree.

Instructional Equipment List

  • Anatomical Model
  • Back Tables
  • Caps
  • Face Shields
  • Gloves/Gowns
  • Gurney
  • Laparoscopic Instruments
  • Major Tray
  • Masks
  • Mayo stands
  • Minor Tray
  • OR Table
  • Shoe covers

 

Program Outline

Program Locations: Los Angeles, Anaheim and Ontario

General Education Courses

Course Number

Title

Clock Hours

Quarter Credits

ANAT205-L Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Lab 40 2.0
ANAT205 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology 20 2.0
MATH110 College Mathematics I 40 4.0
ENGL100 Written Communications I 40 4.0
PSYC100 Introduction to Psychology 40 4.0
 

Totals

180

16.0

Course Number: ANAT205-L

Title Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Lab
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 2.0

Course Number: ANAT205

Title Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Clock Hours20
Quarter Credits 2.0

Course Number: MATH110

Title College Mathematics I
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

Course Number: ENGL100

Title Written Communications I
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

Course Number: PSYC100

Title Introduction to Psychology
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

TOTALS

Clock Hours

180

Quarter Credits

16.0

Core Courses

Course Number

Title

Clock Hours

Clinical Hours

Quarter Credits

CAREER200 Career Advantage 20 0 2.0
MEDTR110 Medical Terminology 40 0 4.0
SURG100 Introduction to Surgical Technology 40 0 4.0
SURG111 Surgical Techniques I 40 0 4.0
SURG111-L Surgical Techniques I Lab 80 0 4.0
ANAT240 Advanced Anatomy and Physiology 60 0 6.0
SURG131-L Surgical Techniques II Lab 80 0 4.0
SURG210 Pathophysiology I 40 0 4.0
SURG260 Surgical Procedures I 80 0 4.0
SURG230 Pathophysiology II 40 0 4.0
SURG270 Surgical Procedures II 80 0 4.0
SURG140 General Microbiology 40 0 4.0
SURG200 Pharmacology 40 0 4.0
SURG251 Clinical Orientation 40 0 4.0
SURG251-L Clinical Orientation Lab 80 0 4.0
SURG296-A National Certification Review I 40 0 4.0
SURG282 Clinical Practicum I 270 270 9.0
SURG296-B National Certification Review II 40 0 4.0
SURG292 Clinical Practicum II 270 270 9.0
 

Totals

1420

540

86.0

Course Number: CAREER200

Title Career Advantage
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: MEDTR110

Title Medical Terminology
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG100

Title Introduction to Surgical Technology
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG111

Title Surgical Techniques I
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG111-L

Title Surgical Techniques I Lab
Clock Hours80
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: ANAT240

Title Advanced Anatomy and Physiology
Clock Hours60
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits6.0

Course Number: SURG131-L

Title Surgical Techniques II Lab
Clock Hours80
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG210

Title Pathophysiology I
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG260

Title Surgical Procedures I
Clock Hours80
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG230

Title Pathophysiology II
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG270

Title Surgical Procedures II
Clock Hours80
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG140

Title General Microbiology
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG200

Title Pharmacology
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG251

Title Clinical Orientation
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG251-L

Title Clinical Orientation Lab
Clock Hours80
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG296-A

Title National Certification Review I
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG282

Title Clinical Practicum I
Clock Hours270
Clinical Hours270
Quarter Credits9.0

Course Number: SURG296-B

Title National Certification Review II
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG292

Title Clinical Practicum II
Clock Hours270
Clinical Hours270
Quarter Credits9.0

TOTALS

Clock Hours

1420

Clinical Hours

540

Quarter Credits

86.0

Courses offered online.
Courses offered in a blended format, a combination of online and on ground.

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 102.0

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