Surgical Technology

Program Mission Statement

It is our mission to prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

Program Vision Statement

We inspire to produce the utmost quality Surgical Technologists with long-lasting educational skills to help them excel and exceed all expectations in their career field. We strive to have the highest balance of academic education and hands-on approach that an entry-level Surgical Technician can possess while also implementing future graduates with the ability to compete and advance in this career field with hard work ethics and proper patient care etiquette.

Program Objectives

A Surgical Technologist is a professional who works under the direction of a licensed surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures. The primary focus of all surgical team members is to provide a seamless, safe, and efficient surgical experience with a positive patient outcome. A surgical technologist possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic techniques, combining knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. Surgical technologists prepare the operating room by selecting and opening sterile supplies. Preoperative duties also include assembling, adjusting, and checking non-sterile equipment to ensure that it is in proper working order. Typical responsibilities include operating sterilizers, lights, suction machines, electrosurgical units, and diagnostic equipment. To ensure surgery proceeds smoothly, surgical technologists anticipate the needs of surgeons, pass instruments, and efficiently provide sterile items. They share with the circulator the responsibility of accounting for sponges, needles, and tools before, during, and after surgery. They are responsible for preparing and applying sterile dressings in accordance with the procedure. They may assist in the application of non-sterile dressings, including plaster or synthetic casting materials. After surgery, they prepare the operating room for the next patient. Our program meets the standards required to take the certification examination, which is written and administered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). As a student in the Surgical Technology program, you will:

• Become knowledgeable on current operating room procedures.
• Learn how to work under high-pressure situations.
• Gain first-hand experience in a healthcare setting.
• Complete a surgical rotation case requirements.

Upon satisfactory completion of the program, Collins Career Technical Center awards a certificate in Surgical Technology. Graduates become eligible to take the national certification exam administered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), located at 11020 King St #400, Overland Park, KS 66210.
We accept Surgical Technology applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. To apply, you must follow all required health screening guidelines and application procedures. Please submit your completed application in person, along with valid identification, at one of our campus locations. The program accepts a maximum of 24 students per cohort. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the limit, we create an alternate list for consideration. Performing under pressure in stressful and emergencies is essential to surgical technologists.
Applicants should demonstrate the following key characteristics to succeed in the program and the profession:

• A stable temperament, a strong sense of responsibility, considerable patience, and concern for order are required.
• Manual dexterity and physical stamina are vital.
• Must be able to work quickly but accurately and be able to integrate several activities according to priority.
• Must be keenly sensitive to the needs of patients as well as the needs of other members of the surgical team.
• Individuals who practice this profession strongly desire to help others and contribute to society.

Pre-Acceptance Items

• Complete Application
• Items to upload in the student document portal
  • Flu Vaccine (by October)
  • Hepatitis B Documentation (Titers for Surface Antigen & Surface Antibody Required)
  • High School Diploma/Transcript/GED
  • MMR Documentation (2 Vaccines or Titer)
  • Physical Exam (Click to Download Form)
  • Shadowing Verification
  • Social Security Card/Birth Certificate
  • Tdap Documentation (Within Last 10 Years)
  • Varicella Documentation (IGG Titer Required)
  • WorkKeys Scores (Click Here for Information about WorkKeys Testing)
• Reference Items
  • Allied Health Titer Guidelines (Click to Download Form)

Post-Acceptance Items

• Sign Enrollment Agreement (Sent to your Email via DocuSign)
• Additional items to upload in the student document portal link
  • 2-Step TB Results
  • Hepatitis C Screening
• Items to be sent directly to CCTC
  • 10-Panel Drug Screening (Click to Download Form)
  • FBI/BCI Background Check

Send from Agency Directy To:

Collins Career Technical Center
Attn: Adult Admissions
11627 State Route 243
Chesapeake, OH 45619

Email: admissions@collins-cc.edu

If you are concerned about being able to make required scores and you would like to "brush up" on some of your skills prior to the pre-entrance exam, the Collins Career Technical Center's ABLE program is available for tutoring services Monday - Thursday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

Individuals with a passing score on all parts of the pre-entrance examination will be mailed an application packet for admission.

The Surgical Technician program is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education with certification provided by the National Center for Competency Testing: Tech in Surgery TS-C (NCCT ) Certification / The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Length of Course

The Surgical Technology program at Collins Career Technical Center (CCTC) is a two (2) semester program. Students will attend 11 consecutive months at CCTC beginning in August of each year, with completion of the program the following June. Upon completing the program, students will receive a Certificate in Surgical Technology from CCTC. Students will sit for the NBSTSA National Board exam to become Certified Surgical Technologists.

The Program begins in August and completes the following June. Classes meet Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

All student activities associated with the curriculum will be educational, especially while students are completing clinical rotations. Students will not receive any monetary remuneration during his/her clinical or academic experience, nor will the student be substituted for hired staff personnel within the clinical institution in the capacity of a Surgical Technologist.

Many of our adult education programs have requirements for vaccinations, drug testing and criminal background checks. These requirements are set by our clinical sites, where students gain essential hands-on experience. Without meeting these standards, students cannot participate in the clinical portion of their program, which is necessary for completion. Additionally, these requirements align with what is typically expected for employment in your chosen field.

The specific vaccination and drug testing requirements for this program are listed below.

Proof of Immunities:

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): Two vaccines or titer required
• Varicella (Chickenpox): IGG titer required
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap): Vaccination within the last 10 years
• Hepatitis B (Surface Antigen & Surface Antibody titers)
• Physical Exam
• Flu Vaccine: Seasonal, required in October of each year

Time-Frame Items:

• Hepatitis C Antibody Titer: Required according to the time-frame schedule
• 2-Step TB Test: Required according to the time-frame schedule
• FBI Background Check: Required according to the time-frame schedule
• 10-Panel Drug Screen: Required according to the time-frame schedule

Surgical technologists must meet specific technical standards to ensure safety and efficiency in the operating room:

• Visual Acuity: Essential for the surgical environment and necessary for accurate patient assessment and care.
• Auditory Perception: Critical for understanding verbal communication from patients and the healthcare team, as well as for monitoring devices such as cardiac monitors, biomedical equipment, and fire alarms.
• Gross and Fine Motor Coordination: Required to respond promptly and perform technical skills, including manipulating equipment and assisting with patient positioning and lifting.
• Communication Skills: Proficiency in verbal, non-verbal, and written communication is essential for effective interaction in classroom and clinical settings.
• Intellectual and Emotional Functions: Necessary for planning and implementing patient care.

Working in surgical technology may involve exposure to:

• Infectious diseases
• Needlestick and sharp instrument injuries
• Ergonomic injuries
• Radiation exposure
• Chemical exposure
• Stress and fatigue
• Burns and electrical injuries
• Hazardous waste