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  Feb 02, 2023
 
2020-2021 Catalog [Aug. 2020-Aug. 2021] 
    
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2020-2021 Catalog [Aug. 2020-Aug. 2021] [Archived Catalog]

Surgical Technology Specialist (6267) (T.C.)

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Technical Certificate

This is a Limited Access program.

Student Alert: This program is approved for inactivation effective end of summer term 2021 with no new enrollments beginning in the fall term 2021 per CAAHEP mandate and approval from SACSCOC.  For more information, please contact the Health Career Information Center at (904) 713-4545 or hcic@fscj.edu.

Mission/Purpose

The mission of the Surgical Technology Specialist Technical Certificate program is to prepare students for distinctive success in their academic and personal goals providing high value and relevant life-long education to a diverse community. Students receive the educational development and hands-on training required to prepare them to work closely with patients, doctors and other surgical professionals in a medical setting and participate in clinical experiences made available by surgical service providers. Furthermore, the program seeks to remain in the forefront of ever-changing technology, embracing innovation in the delivery of services within operative, field and educational facilities.

The program goal is to have each graduate become a contributing member of a healthcare team and to demonstrate safe patient care and surgical consciousness.  The program strives to stay ahead of changing technology and look toward innovations in the delivery of Surgical Technology Specialist in within surgical facilities and educational theories.

The Program

This program prepares students for a career as an entry-level surgical technologist and member of the surgical team in the operating room under the direct supervision of professional nurses and surgeons. The goal of the program is to have graduates become contributing members of a healthcare team that demonstrates safe patient care and surgical consciousness. 

The program curriculum includes a combination of classroom studies, classroom lab practice, and clinical experience in the perioperative arena (operating room, pre- and post-anesthesia care, and labor and delivery) that prepares students to assist members of the surgical team (surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and surgical technologists). Students will also learn about anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, microbiology, pharmacology and anesthesia.  Particular emphasis is placed upon the skills involved in scrubbing and circulating a wide variety of surgical procedures and the preparation and maintenance of sterilized and unsterilized supplies.

The program will meet the educational standards set forth in the current AST Core 6th edition and the criteria set forth by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) Standards and Guidelines for Accreditation of Educational Programs in Surgical Technology.

A minimum grade of C or better must be achieved in all professional coursework.

Embedded Certificate(s)

One technical certificate is available within this degree program: Surgical Technology Specialist (6267) (T.C.). Students may pursue the A.S. degree and earn technical certificates while completing the requirements for the degree, or pursue one or more certificates to develop or upgrade their skills in a particular field. Contact an advisor to determine the career education path that is best for you. 

Please note that by being enrolled in this degree program you may automatically meet the requirements for one of the aforementioned technical certificates. If you meet the requirements for a technical certificate, as a result of being enrolled in this degree program, you may automatically be awarded the technical certificate(s) upon meeting their requirements as well. If you choose to opt out of this automatic awarding of a technical certificate please contact an advisor to do so.

Internships/Externships/Rotations/Fieldwork

Clinical rotations are scheduled in various clinical settings and are a required part of the program of study to assist students to obtain hands-on experience in health care while learning in the student role.

The Career

Surgical technologists work under the supervision of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of surgical procedures, ensuring that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly and that the procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Surgical technologists possess expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique, which they combine with knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and instruments and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.  Certified Surgical technologists work in operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, central supply, labor and delivery areas, cardiac catheterization laboratories, private physician offices, and other settings where invasive procedures are performed. 

Certification/Licensing

This program enables the graduate to sit for the National Certifying Examination to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). Students who pass the CST exam will be eligible for licensure in surgical technology through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). 

Program Accreditation

The Florida State College at Jacksonville A.S. degree in Surgical Services program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 25400 US Highway 19N, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763, (727) 210-2350, caahep.org, upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).

Application Procedure

Admission to this program is limited and is based on academic performance and other criteria.

Admissions preference is given to fully qualified candidates who have met all entrance criteria, including the satisfaction of prerequisite courses. Should seats remain available in the program cohort, applicants who fulfill admissions criteria prior to the start of the program will be considered next, followed by those with the highest number of completed prerequisite courses. Qualified applicants with pending prerequisite course requirements will receive a conditional acceptance letter outlining the remaining criteria for full program admission.  Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

To meet the minimum requirements for consideration and acceptance to the Surgical Services program, students must

  1. Be at least 18 years of age.
  2. Complete a Florida State College at Jacksonville application.
  3. Complete a Surgical Services program application and submit to the Health Career Advising by the published deadline.
  4. Provide evidence of current CPR certification (adult, child and infant) achieved through an American Heart Association approved Basic Life Support (BLS) course for Healthcare Providers that includes hands-on simulated experiences.

Upon acceptance to the program, students must

  1. Submit to a criminal background check.
  2. Submit to a drug screening.
  3. Submit a physical examination.

Note: Admissions preference is given to fully qualified candidates who have met all entrance criteria, including the satisfaction of prerequisite courses. Should seats remain available in the program cohort, applicants who fulfill admissions criteria prior to the start of the program will be considered next, followed by those with the highest number of completed prerequisite courses. Qualified applicants with pending prerequisite course requirements will receive a conditional acceptance letter outlining the remaining criteria for full program admission.

Application Deadline(s)

  • Fall term deadline: May 15th of each year.

Need More Information? Contact:

(904) 713-4545 or hcic@fscj.edu

More Information Online 

  • Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA): arcstsa.org
  • Association of Surgical Technologists (AST): ast.org
  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAPHEP): caahep.org
  • National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA): nbstsa.org

Curriculum

General Education Coursework

Credit Hours: 4

Professional Coursework

Credit Hours: 45

A minimum grade of C or better is required in all Professional coursework.

Total Credit Hours: 49

Record of Conviction of a Crime

Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screening and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.

The cost of the background check and drug screen is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program’s published deadline.

Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into Limited Access or Selective Access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition and fees. 

A physical examination may be required upon acceptance to the program.

Note

Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.

Some practice settings may have additional requirements including health insurance, a volunteer application, references, fingerprinting and background check, drug testing, and/or an interview prior to the start of the clinical experience. The additional requirements are the responsibility of the student, including expenses.

The cost of the background check(s) and drug screen(s) is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program’s published deadline (if applicable).

Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into Limited Access or Selective Access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition and fees.

A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.

Graduation Requirements

In order to be awarded a technical certificate, students must have met the following requirements.

  1. Fulfill all academic requirements for the chosen program of study as outlined in the Florida State College at Jacksonville catalog and curriculum.
  2. Earn minimum prescribed semester hours for the chosen program of study with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) on a 4.0 scale on all courses that apply to the chosen program of study.
  3. Complete a minimum of 25 percent of the total hours required for the program in residence at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Credit by examination and credit for prior learning do not count toward this residency requirement.
  4. Fulfill all obligations, financial or otherwise, to the College before graduating. 
Note: Students are cautioned to pay particular attention to the following statements.
  • A student’s graduation date will be the date of the end of the College term in which the student has fulfilled all academic requirements (The removal of an incomplete grade does not affect students’ graduation dates since the grade change is effective at the end of the term in which the incomplete grade was assigned rather than the term in which the incomplete work was made up).
  • Students who enter under the (2020/2021) catalog will be assigned to the degree or certificate requirements in effect during the 2020/2021 academic year. The student’s assigned catalog year will remain in effect as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment. Changes to requirements as mandated by law or by rule of the District Board of Trustees may supersede this provision.
  • Many courses in this catalog have prerequisite requirements and/or corequisite courses listed in the course descriptions. Students are advised to be guided by these requirements.
  • Students who place into developmental education courses are required to complete designated developmental education courses with a grade of C or better regardless of program of study.

Articulation

Upon successful completion of the program students may receive articulated College credit toward the Surgical Services (2167) (A.S.)   degree.  See the program description and official articulation agreement for credit award requirements.  Students may pursue one or more certificates to develop or upgrade their skills in a particular field, or pursue the A.S. degree and earn technical certificates while completing the requirements for the degree. Contact an advisor to determine the career education path that is best for you.

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