Surgical Technology, A.A.S.
Classes offered at following campus(es)
- West
Surgical Technologists are essential members of the surgical team working alongside the surgeon to deliver safe and effective care. You will learn relevant human anatomy and medical terminology related to various surgical procedures, aseptic techniques, and all about the specific instrumentation and technologies used during surgery.
Apply to Program
The applicant pool for programs in the School of Health Sciences is very competitive. The application does not mean acceptance into the Health Sciences program. Applicants are required to meet with a School of Health Sciences advisor before they apply to a program and may be required to attend an orientation for the Allied Health-related programs. All application correspondence from the School of Health Sciences will be through your TCC email.
Admission to the Program
Program Application Instructions
- All prospective surgical technology students who have not been enrolled at TCC within the past 3 years must complete an application for admission to TCC and submit high school transcripts. In addition, ACT or placement test scores and previous college transcripts if applicable should be included and forwarded to the Metro Campus Student Completion Services office at 909 South Boston, Tulsa, OK. 74119. Admission to Tulsa Community College does not guarantee admission to the Surgical Technology Program. Applications to the Surgical Technology program must be completed online by April 1 each year for fall admission. For more information, contact the Allied Health department office at 918-595-8219.
- A selection committee will review all applications and eligible applicants will be granted an interview with the Surgical Technology Program admissions committee.
- Qualified students will be ranked based on admission requirements and awarded admission to the program accordingly. All interviewed applicants will be notified via email regarding their selection.
Program Admission Requirements
- Minimum overall GPA of 2.0 for all prior high school and college coursework.
- Applicant must be reading and writing proficient for program admission.
- Currently enrolled in or completion of ALDH 1323 Medical Terminology and BIOL 1314 Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology with a “C” or better.
- Students must be able to travel to clinical sites.
- An extensive criminal background check is required by all clinical affiliates. All Allied Health students participating in clinicals are required to complete these background checks, immunizations, and a drug screening test by the Department of Allied Health office deadline prior to the first clinical rotation. Any positive findings may be subject to review by the clinical affiliates and could prevent the student from completing clinical requirements. The screening includes but is not limited to:
- A seven-year county of residence nationwide criminal history check
- National sexual predator screening
- Social Security check
- Medicare/Medicaid fraud screening
English Language Proficiency
Students must meet the TCC admission standards for English Proficiency with a qualifying TOEFL®, IELTS, or Duolingo score:
- Paper-based TOEFL®: 460–499
- Duolingo: 75–80
- Internet-based TOEFL®: 48–60
- IELTS (Academic)®: 5–5.5
Contact Information
Program Director
Sherry Conder, BS, RN, CST, CSFA
918-595-7062
sherry.conder@tulsacc.edu
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Minimum Expectation: Prepare entry-level surgical technologists who are competent in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains to enter the profession.
Outcomes:
- Model The Association of Surgical Technologists recommended guidelines in the practice of surgical technology in the lab and clinical setting. (psychomotor)
- Build critical thinking skills by analyzing information and adjusting a position or plan as evidence dictates. (cognitive)
- Maintain a high standard for professionalism by accepting responsibility for words or actions. (affective)
- Measure cognitive competency by correctly answering a minimum of 102 items in the NBSTSA web-based CST exam. (cognitive)
Program Accreditation
TCC Surgical Technology Program has a site visit scheduled (www.caahep.org). This step which is in the process is neither a status of accreditation nor a guarantee that accreditation will be granted.
Essential Functions/Technical Standards
Interpersonal – interacts with patients and surgical team members with a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. Must be flexible and capable of reacting to changing circumstances in a calm manner with professional decorum
Critical Thinking – Sufficient for clinical judgment and problem solving; Concentrate and focus for prolonged periods of time
Communication – Ability to interact with others orally and maintain professional communication
Mobility – Physical abilities sufficient to move and bend; lift a minimum of 30 pounds; push pull equipment weighting up to 300 pounds
Motor Skills – Gross and fine motor abilities to grasp, grip and hold with hands. Ability to work with and manipulate fine surgical instrumentation and suturing needles.
Hearing – Auditory ability sufficient to hear the surgical team members through a surgical mask with background noise
Visual – sufficient for observation in full or dimmed light. Visual near acuity of 20 in. or less with clarity. Distinguish depth, color, and spatial attributes of images.
Tactile – sufficient for handling and manipulating small surgical instrumentation.
Physical Condition – condition and stamina sufficient to lift and assist in moving the anesthetized patient; move equipment; ability to stand for extended periods of time during surgical procedures
Clinical Expectations
Students will participate in clinical rotations in the hospital setting, are responsible for reliable transportation and will be expected to be available as early as 6:30 a.m. to begin clinical. All clinical rotations will be weekdays between approximately 6:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. during the third semester and 6:30-6:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. the remaining semesters.
- The Clinical Coordinator will assign and monitor all clinical rotations.
- Students are not allowed in the clinical area outside of the scheduled school clinical.
- If a student is employed in a surgical facility, they may not count cases done while being a paid employee on the TCC case documentation records.
Third Semester
Students will spend 4 weeks in an observational role attending 36 hours/week.
Clinical Rotations: weekdays between approximately 6:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Fourth and Fifth Semesters
Students will spend approximately 20 hours/week in the clinical setting. Clinical sites may be outside the Tulsa Metro area.
Clinical Rotations: weekdays between approximately 6:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Occupational Risks
While every effort is given to minimize occupational exposure, the surgical technologist’s daily workload renders him/her susceptible to a variety of occupational risks. It is incumbent upon the surgical technology student to practice safe working habits and to utilize safety equipment provided to reduce potential injury.
Examples of Occupational Risks
| Risk | Examples |
|---|---|
| Bloodborne Pathogens | Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C |
| Sharps Injuries | Accidental sticks from suture needles or sharp instrumentation |
| Latex Allergy | Surgical gloves and medical supplies |
| Smoke Plume | Laser and electrocautery (Commercial suction available for protection) |
| Chemical | Gases, cold sterilant, cleaning chemicals |
| Musculoskeletal | Static postures, lift injuries |
| Radiation Exposure | X-ray imaging – fluoroscopy (lead aprons available for protection) |