Essential Information for Prospective and Current Students

Specific duties for surgical technologists may include:

• Participates in small, team groups
• Enjoys working with people
• Works accurately under pressure and within time constraints
• Communicates professionally and respectfully
• Detail oriented
• Exhibits prompt and consistent attendance
• Demonstrates manual dexterity and technical skills
• Accepts constructive criticism and learns from feedback
• Applies standardized principles and concepts related to surgery
• Applies anatomy knowledge
• Anticipates needs of the surgical team
• Multitasks while focusing on the needs of the surgical team
• Opens sterile supplies and prepares the sterile surgical field
• Assists team members to don sterile gowns and gloves
• Prepares necessary equipment
• Assists the patient to settle into an unfamiliar environment
• Assists with patient positioning for the procedure
• Assists team members to apply surgical and monitoring devices
• Prepares the incision site
• Counts instruments and sponges concurrently with the circulator
• Verifies, prepares, and passes medications and solutions during the procedure
• Handles sterile instruments, sponges, and suture
• Utilizes correct protocols for all tissue specimens
• Assists with placement of surgical dressings at the end of the procedure

Technical Standards for Surgical Technology

Students admitted to the Surgical Technology Program at Frederick Community College must be able to meet the following technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations. These standards are required to ensure safe, competent, and effective performance in classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings.

Observation
Students must be able to:

• Accurately observe demonstrations, surgical procedures, and patient conditions
• Observe and interpret patient data from monitors, equipment, and the surgical field
• Distinguish color, shape, size, depth, and texture of anatomical structures and surgical instruments

Communication
Students must be able to:

• Communicate effectively and professionally in spoken and written English
• Understand and respond to verbal instructions and nonverbal cues in the operating room
• Accurately document and convey information to surgeons, anesthesia providers, nurses, and other members of the surgical team

Motor Skills
Students must be able to:

• Demonstrate sufficient fine and gross motor skills to manipulate surgical instruments and equipment
• Perform precise hand-eye coordinated movements while maintaining aseptic technique
• Safely lift, move, and position patients and equipment (often up to 50 pounds)
• Stand and remain alert for extended periods during surgical procedures

Intellectual, Conceptual, and Cognitive Abilities
Students must be able to:

• Apply critical thinking, judgment, and problem-solving skills in real-time surgical situations
• Comprehend, integrate, and apply knowledge of medical terminology, microbiology, anatomy, physiology, surgical procedures, and aseptic technique
• Respond appropriately to unexpected changes, complications, or emergency situations

Behavioral and Professional Attributes
Students must be able to:

• Demonstrate emotional stability, integrity, and professionalism
• Function effectively as a member of the surgical team in high-stress environments
• Accept direction, maintain accountability, and adhere to ethical and legal standards

Maintain patient confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA and professional practice standards

Health Requirements

Students will submit a completed Confidential Student Health Profile prior to beginning the program. Validation of immunity is required via laboratory documentation (bloodwork). History of diseases such as MMR or Varicella is no longer acceptable. Hepatitis B titers are required.

Occupational Risks for Surgical Technology

Students admitted to the Surgical Technology Program at Frederick Community College must be informed of the inherent occupational risks associated with the practice of surgical technology*. While safety education and protective measures are emphasized, these risks cannot be completely eliminated.

*Some listed risks only apply to clinical rotations.
Exposure to Infectious and Hazardous Materials

• Exposure to blood, body fluids, and potentially infectious materials
• Risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens including hepatitis and HIV
• Exposure to and contact with chemicals such as disinfectants, sterilants, medications, and cleaning agents *The surgery lab at FCC only uses mock medications

Sharps and Instrumentation Hazards

• Risk of cuts, punctures, or needlestick injuries from sharp surgical instruments and needles
• Exposure to hazards from handling powered surgical equipment and complex instrumentation

Physical and Ergonomic Risks

• Operating under conditions where prolonged standing, walking, bending, lifting, and repetitive motions are needed
• Risk of musculoskeletal strain or injury related to patient positioning and equipment handling

Environmental and Procedural Hazards

• Exposure to radiation from imaging and diagnostic equipment
• Exposure to surgical smoke (plume), anesthetic gases, and airborne contaminants
• Exposure to noise, bright lighting, temperature fluctuations, and confined workspaces

Psychological and Emotional Stressors

• High-pressure, time-sensitive surgical environments
• Exposure to trauma, critical illness, or death
• Exposure to irregular schedules, early start times, extended shifts, and on-call demands

Other Requirements

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Students are required to obtain Basic Life Support CPR certification through the American Heart Association.
*Please select a course providing both didactic and manikin practice.

Background checks and drug screening
Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor may prohibit placement into a clinical site, applying for a professional license, or acquiring employment as a healthcare professional. Prior to applying for consideration in a healthcare program which requires clinical placement for program completion, please discuss any questions you may have with the program director or manager. Once admitted into the program, students are required to pay for and obtain criminal background checks and drug screening before starting clinical coursework; and random drug screening may occur at any time during clinical experiences.

Graduation Criteria

The student will: Meet all academic, financial, and graduation criteria for Frederick Community College. Refer to the current catalog. Pass all surgical technology (SURG) courses with a minimum of a “C” grade and pass the clinical component of the courses. With any clinical or didactic failure in the last SURG course, the student may not sit for the national certification examination and may not receive a degree in surgical technology. Participate in and document at least 120 surgical procedures according to the latest criteria found in the Association of Surgical Technology’s Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology.