Surgical Technology Diploma (D45740)

The Surgical Technology curriculum prepares individuals to assist in the care of the surgical patient in the operating room and to function as a member of the surgical team.

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.

Graduates of this program will be eligible to apply to take the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Certification Examination for Surgical Technology. Employment opportunities include labor/delivery/emergency departments, inpatient/outpatient surgery centers, dialysis units/facilities, physicians’ offices, and central supply processing units.

The major goal of the Foothills Surgical Technology Consortium is to prepare competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

The student is responsible for making sure requirements have been met and that all materials have been received by the Admissions Office before the program deadline. Students may take general/related courses before acceptance into the Surgical Technology program. Completion of these courses will help prepare but not guarantee admission into the program. All communication regarding admissions/selection status will be sent via CCC student email. Student email is the official and preferred form of communication at CCC.

Admission and Selection Criteria

Admission to Surgical Technology is competitive among qualified applicants according to established criteria. There is a limited application period and exact admissions evaluation criteria are revised and updated annually. All Allied Health applicants are required to attend an annual Allied Health information session in order to declare an Allied Health program of study. Allied Health information session schedules are available in Student Services at 704.669.4081 or online at http://clevelandcc.edu/programs/how-to-apply/allied-health/

An admissions and selection rubric will be used to determine acceptance to the Surgical Technology program. Students not selected to the program may reapply for the next year by attending another Allied Health Information session. All applications for admission must be updated annually. If one has applied previously, he or she must initiate the process again, including the PSB aptitude exam retesting.

CCC has established admissions and selection procedures to ensure students are admitted and selected in a consistent and equitable manner. The admissions and selection rubric is only intended to provide students with a checklist assisting in identifying program eligibility requirements, while outlining the admissions/selection process. This rubric is for student use only and does not serve as the official record of calculated points. Completion of these requirements will not guarantee admission to the program.

Admissions criteria to be completed prior to program deadline (Step 1 of Admission and Selection Rubric):

  • Current application for admission: All Surgical Technology applicants must attend an Allied Health Information session prior to being considered for admission and declaring Surgical Technology as their program of study
  • Official high school transcript or GED
  • Official college transcript(s) if you intend to earn transferable credit
  • MAT 060 or DMA 010, DMA 020, & DMA 030 satisfactory completion or exemption (per transcript)
  • ENG 095 or DRE 098 satisfactory completion or exemption (per transcript)
  • CTS 060 satisfactory completion or exemption (per transcript) (CCC requirement only)

Selection Process

  • All general admission requirements must be met.
  • If notified by the Admissions Office, eligible applicants report for the PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Examination. There is a fee for the aptitude exam.
  • Conditional acceptance for admission is based on the Surgical Technology Admissions & Selection Rubric. Notification of conditional acceptance, along with the health examination forms will be provided.
  • If indicated, an interview will be scheduled.

Post-Acceptance Process

  • Notification of final acceptance will be sent by the Admissions Office after successful completion of all orientation requirements, and favorable results of physical examinations.
  • All students accepted into the Surgical Technology program must acquire a criminal background check and drug testing with the designated third party vendor. Accepted students will be notified with information concerning the third party vendor. Criminal background checks and drug testing are required by the clinical facilities, who determine all clinical participation.
  • All students accepted into the Surgical Technology program are required to have malpractice insurance.
  • All students must provide proof of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification on the first day of class, fall semester.
  • Graduates of this program will be eligible to apply to take the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting certification examination.

Course and Hour Requirements

Students are not allowed to enroll in the SUR courses until formally accepted into the program. Please see admission requirements.

Major Courses

Course NumberTitleClass HoursLab HoursClinical HoursCredits
SUR 110Intro to Surg Tech
3
0
0

3

SUR 111Periop Patient Care
5
6
0

7

SUR 122Surgical Procedures I
5
3
0

6

SUR 123SUR Clinical Practice I
0
0
21

7

SUR 134Surgical Procedures II
5
0
0

5

SUR 135SUR Clinical Practice II
0
0
12

4

SUR 137Prof Success Prep
1
0
0

1

Other Major Courses

Course NumberTitleClass HoursLab HoursClinical HoursCredits
BIO 163Basic Anatomy and Physiology
4
2

5

BIO 175General Microbiology
2
2

3

or

BIO 275Microbiology
3
3

4

CIS 110Introduction to Computers
2
2

3

Total Major Hours: 44

General Education Courses

Communications

Course NumberTitleClass HoursLab HoursClinical HoursCredits
ACA 115Success and Study Skills
0
2

1

ENG 111Writing and Inquiry
3
0

3

Total General Education Hours: 4

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION: 48

Suggested Sequence of Courses

Fall Semester

Course NumberTitleClass HoursLab HoursClinical HoursCredits
ACA 115Success and Study Skills
0
2

1

BIO 163Basic Anatomy and Physiology
4
2

5

ENG 111Writing and Inquiry
3
0

3

SUR 110Intro to Surg Tech
3
0
0

3

SUR 111Periop Patient Care
5
6
0

7

Total Credit Hours:
15
10
0
19

Spring Semester

Course NumberTitleClass HoursLab HoursClinical HoursCredits
BIO 175General Microbiology
2
2

3

or

BIO 275Microbiology
3
3

4

CIS 110Introduction to Computers
2
2

3

SUR 122Surgical Procedures I
5
3
0

6

SUR 123SUR Clinical Practice I
0
0
21

7

Total Credit Hours:
9-10
7-8
21
19-20

Summer Term

Course NumberTitleClass HoursLab HoursClinical HoursCredits
SUR 134Surgical Procedures II
5
0
0

5

SUR 135SUR Clinical Practice II
0
0
12

4

SUR 137Prof Success Prep
1
0
0

1

Total Credit Hours:
6
0
12
10

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION: 48

DiplomaCollege Transfer
Yes
No