2023-2024 Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Surgical Technology, A.A.S.


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Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Contact Information:
Van Bates 615-353-3691, Program Site E-mail: SurgTech@nscc.edu​
Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, www.caahep.org, 727-210-2350) on recommendation by the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARCSTSA, www.arcstsa.org, 303-694-9262).

Surgical Technology education prepares students for employment in a variety of surgical settings. The program includes extensive classroom time as well as practical experience preparing Surgical Technology students for all major specialties in the operating room.

NSCC Surgical Technology Program Goal Statement

The Surgical Technology program is an educational experience that produces competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains and prepares them to successfully complete the National Certification Exam.  Built on a solid foundation of knowledge in anatomy, medical terminology, and microbiology, the program provides the qualified and motivated applicant with experiences in a learner-centered environment that is supportive and responsive to individual needs. Learning experiences are facilitated by qualified faculty and/or preceptors and designed to help the student learn to independently apply sound theory to practice.

Graduates of the program should be able to:

  • Recognize elements of good patient care and prioritize them before less important elements in the operating room;
  • Behave professionally in a stressful environment with demanding personalities while remaining calm and focused; and
  • Accurately plan for and perform duties of a surgical technologist in the scrub role in common surgical specialties.

Admission Requirements

  • Must submit an NSCC Application for Admission;
  • Must have high school diploma or GED;
  • Must submit a complete Surgical Technology Program application by the appropriate deadline;
  • Selection will be based on a composite score consisting of points from GPA, critical thinking assessment (Insight Assessment), completion of prerequiste and general education courses.

Prerequisiste courses include:  BIOL 1000, SURG 1304, SURG 1305, and SURG 2310. 

Anticipated estimated costs to the student will include tuition, books, lab supplies, medical services (lab analysis for titers), CPR certification, and membership and exam fees. Taking the National Certification Exam is a requirement to complete the program.

NOTE: Prospective students will be required to provide a copy of a background check and drug screening. NSCC does not use the background check or drug screenings as criteria for admission to the program. Background checks and/or drug screenings are required by clinical sites as a condition of participation. Students are required to participate in a variety of clinical experiences to successfully complete the program.

Grading Policy

The student majoring in Surgical technology must receive a “C” or higher in each prerequisite course and in subsequent core courses. “C” or higher in all courses is a graduation requirement.

Course Requirements


(60 Credits with a minimum of 15 hours at NSCC)

General Education Requirements


A student using a natural science to satisfy this general education requirement must demonstrate college-readiness in mathematics.

Total Required – Associate Degree: 60 Credits


1 Required of all first-time entering, degree seeking students.

Recommended Full-Time Schedule


Notes:


Additional course requirements: The Tennessee Board of Regents requires that students either demonstrate the appropriate skill levels in math, reading, and/or writing before enrolling in college-level courses or enroll in appropriate co-requisite experiences with college-level courses to develop competency in those skills while performing college-level work. ACT/SAT scores, classic ACCUPLACER test scores, next-generation ACCUPLACER test scores, or other relevant information determine whether a student needs to enroll in co-requisite courses in math, reading, and/or writing (English).

 

* This course is part of the general education core.

 

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