Surgical Technology - Curriculum

The Surgical Technology program’s mission is to prepare students to become competent, entry-level Surgical Technologists whose expertise will benefit their communities through patient-centered care in a professional, compassionate, and responsible manner.

Students will apply theoretical knowledge to the care of patients undergoing surgery and develop skills necessary to prepare supplies, equipment, and instruments; maintain aseptic conditions; prepare patients for surgery; and assist surgeons during operations.

Employment opportunities include labor/delivery/emergency departments, inpatient/outpatient surgery centers, dialysis units/facilities, physicians’ offices, and central supply processing units.

Students of Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited programs are required to take the national certification exam administered by the National Board on Certification in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) within a four-week period prior to or after graduation.

Occupational health related concerns among surgeons

Read how two students’ lives were changed by serving others on a medical mission trip.

Curriculum Plans

Degree

Surgical Technology - Schedule

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Surgical Technology - Program Outcomes

To prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (Knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

Benchmarks

  1. Student Retention: 70% of students admitted to the program will complete the program on time.
  2. CST Exam Participation: 100% of students in their final semester of the program will take the CST exam within four weeks before or within four weeks after the date of program completion.
  3. CST Exam Pass Rate: 70% of students who take the CST Exam will pass the exam on first attempt.
  4. Graduate Placement: 85% of graduates seeking employment will be employed in the surgical technology field or related field, on active military duty, and/or continuing their education at 9-12 months after program completion.
  5. Employer Survey Return Rate: 100% of employers of graduates will receive the ARC/STSA Employer Survey tool at 9 months after graduates complete the program; 50% of delivered Employer Surveys will be returned.
  6. Employer Satisfaction: 85% of returned Employer surveys will demonstrate satisfaction with the graduate employee at a 3 or higher rating on a 5 point scale on 24 out of 28 questions.
  7. Graduate Survey Return Rate: 100% of graduates will receive the ARC/STSA Graduate Survey tool at 6 months after program completion. 50% of delivered Graduate Surveys will be returned.
  8. Graduate Satisfaction: 85% of returned Graduate Surveys will demonstrate satisfaction with the program as measured by a 3 or higher rating on a 5 point scale on 7 out of 8 questions.

Program Goals

  1. Provide quality technical, clinical, and didactic education to the Surgical Technology student.
  2. Graduate Surgical Technologists who possess up-to-date knowledge, a high level of clinical competency, and a professional, caring attitude.
  3. Provide a broad understanding of the role of the Surgical Technologist in the operating room and other healthcare areas, as well as the role of the Surgical Technologists in non-traditional roles.
  4. Require membership and encourage active participation in the Association of Surgical Technologists. There is a local chapter and students may receive extra credit for attending the monthly meetings of the local chapter.

Some programs at Edgecombe Community College lead to a license and/or certification in North Carolina. Beginning July 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education regulations require disclosures for all programs leading to a license or certification. Disclosures will be provided for all states and will indicate whether the program meets licensure requirements, does not meet licensure requirements or has not yet been determined for each state.

Surgical Technology Disclosure

Surgical Technology - Contact

Program Chair

Suzi Shippen

Program Chair - Surgical Technology

shippens@edgecombe.edu

Office 310, Lamm Building, Rocky Mount Campus
(252) 618-6738

Admissions Counselor

Domonique Hall

Admissions Counselor

halld@edgecombe.edu

Office 117, Student Services, Barnes Building, Rocky Mount Campus
(252) 618-6700