Surgical Technology, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science Degree: (SURT-AAS)

About the Program

The Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. The curriculum is designed to enable the student to perform a variety of duties, as well as provide technical support to the surgical team in the operating room before, during and after surgery. The surgical technologist is trained to maintain a sterile and safe surgical environment. Duties may include, but are not limited to, preparing sterile supplies; equipment, instruments, and drapes for surgical procedures, assisting the surgical team with gowning and gloving, and positioning patients for surgery, passing instruments, sponges, sutures and other supplies to the surgeon or the assistant, preparing specimens for laboratory analysis, sterilizing equipment, etc.

The Surgical Technology program offers:

1. Certificate in Central Service Technician Education:​ 17 credit hours
2. Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology Degree: 76 credit hours
3. Certificate in Surgical First Assistant Education: 36 credit hours

Program Goals

• To prepare the surgical technology student to proficiently exercise the duties and responsibilities, including pre-operative preparation, intra-operative procedures, and post-operative wound care.
• The surgical technology student will be able to demonstrate and apply technical competency in the surgical technology profession.
• The surgical technology student shall demonstrate expertise in applying sterile and aseptic techniques.
• The surgical technology student shall apply principles of pharmacology as related to the surgical technology profession.
• The surgical technology student will demonstrate critical thinking skills during all phases of operative procedural management.
• The surgical technology student shall maximize patient safety by facilitating a safe surgical environment.
• The surgical technology student will demonstrate self-direction and responsibility for maintaining surgical competency.
• The surgical technology student will develop effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills while working with a diverse team of medical professionals.
• To prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

Program Outcomes

• The surgical technology graduate will perform competently in the Scrub and Circulator roles under ARC/STSA standards.
• The surgical technology graduate will be proficiently prepared to complete the National Certification Examination for Surgical Technologists by successfully challenging the exam.
• We aim to equip graduating surgical technology students with the necessary skills to achieve a minimum success rate of 70% on the National Certification Examination for Surgical Technologists.

Admission Requirements

Students must fulfill the following requirements for admission into the Surgical Technology program:

• Fulfill all WCCCD admission requirements
• Be 18 years of age or older and have a high school diploma or GED
• If required, fulfill course placement requirements based on the ACCUPLACER scores
• Declare intent to enroll in the Surgical Technologist program by submitting an Application for Program Admission in Health Science Programs to the Program Lead
• Must complete a criminal background check, physical exam (within one year of application submission), immunization history (MMR, HBV, Varicella, Tetanus, Seasonal Influenza, & TB), and a 10-panel urinalysis screening.
• Complete all prerequisites and co-requisites with a minimum grade of “C” or better
• Science courses (BIO 240, BIO 250, BIO 252, and BIO 295) cannot be older than five years from the date of application submission
• Submit unofficial transcripts from WCCCD and official transcripts (outside institutions) as needed for transfer credit
• Submit three letters of recommendation: two professional and one personal
• Submit valid Government Issued color photo identification
• Meeting with Program Lead to review and complete paperwork

Note: If ACCUPLACER® scores are lower in any area, provide a transcript of the recommended course(s) completed with a “B” or better. All program applications are reviewed by the Surgical Technology Department Admissions Committee. Students who have completed the Central Service Technician program prior to application to the Surgical Technology Program are given preference. Students must submit all paperwork by July 15th for the start of the Fall Semester. Students beginning the program in the Spring Semester should submit all paperwork by September 15th. The ACCUPLACER® minimum passing composite score is 60. The reading comprehension sections must be at least 50. Test scores are considered valid for two (2) years if scores meet current requirements. Check the appropriate campus location for adherence to the above submission dates.

Based upon Michigan Law

Students applying for admission to the Surgical Technology Program will be subject to a criminal background check, the results of which could preclude an applicant from admission to Wayne County Community College District’s Surgical Technology Program on the basis of any of the following:

• A felony conviction, or conviction for an attempt or conspiracy to commit a felony within the past 15 years
• Any misdemeanor conviction involving abuse, neglect, assault, battery or criminal sexual conduct within the past 10 years
• Any misdemeanor conviction involving fraud or theft

Degree Requirements

• As a condition of graduation, students must become members of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) and sit for the certification examination offered by the National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assistants (NBSTSA).
  • Membership fees (AST) and examination fees (NBSTSA) are the responsibility of the student
• Students must complete all core surgical technology coursework with a “B” or better to meet graduation requirements.
• Demonstrate procedural proficiency by completing a minimum of 120 surgical cases
• Possess current Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider Certification
• Students have two attempts to pass surgical technology core courses successfully