Surgical Technologist

DIPLOMA IN SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY

Surgical TechnologistAbout the Career

Surgical technologists are highly skilled, trained professionals that are essential members of the operating room team. They work in cooperation with surgeons and registered nurses to deliver safe, direct patient care during all phases of surgery. Surgical Technologists prepare and sterilize instruments and supplies, set up the surgical case, ensure sterility throughout the procedure and assist the surgeon with the actual surgery. Their skills include speed, dexterity and the ability to anticipate the surgeon’s movements as well as strict adherence to principles of sterile technique.

The Surgical Technologist must provide quality, safe patient care and be knowledgeable about high tech equipment. For example they work with lasers, microscopes, cameras, laparoscopes and robotics. Most surgical technologists work in hospitals, especially in operating and delivery rooms. Others are employed in clinics, surgery centers and in the offices of physicians and dentists who perform outpatient surgery. A few, known as private scrubs, are employed directly by surgeons who have special surgical teams. Employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations as the volume of surgeries increase due to the aging population.

 

Surgical InstrumentsAbout the Program

The goal of the Surgical Technology program is to prepare competent, entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive, psychomotor and affective learning domains as well as give the community knowledgeable, competent, and ethical professionals who can provide quality assistance to physicians, coworkers and patients. MTC’s Surgical Technology program will accomplish this with an educational approach of professional development.

The comprehensive Surgical Technology program offers students the opportunity to prepare for entry-level positions as Surgical Technologists. The three-semester curriculum gives the students a balanced set of experiences in the classroom, laboratory and clinical setting. Students are trained in procedures, aseptic (sterile) techniques, medical equipment nomenclature, human anatomy and physiological and pharmacology for the operating room. Graduates of the program may be employed in a variety of areas; such as the operating room, labor and delivery, physician’s offices, and outpatient surgery centers.

The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in cooperation with the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination for Surgical Technologists.