Surgical Technology (SGT)

This course introduces concepts fundamental to the practice of surgical technology across each phase of operative patient care. Perioperative case management topics include operating room attire, personal protective equipment, surgical instrumentation, operative equipment and supplies, sterile and aseptic techniques, operative counts, professionalism and legal concepts, communication, and healthcare facility organization. Medical terminology related to the surgical specialties is emphasized throughout the course.

The role and responsibilities of the surgical technologist in the assistant circulator role are explored in this course. Patient care and safety concepts are discussed within the context of perioperative practice. Topics include pathophysiology leading to surgical intervention, patient care concepts, preoperative patient preparation, and perianesthesia care.

Building on the theories of surgical technology practice presented in SGT101: Surgical Technology Theory I, this course introduces students to intraoperative case management skills. Topics include wound exposure, hemostasis, specimen care and handling, drains and catheters, surgical dressings, and all-hazards preparation.

This course explores basic surgical sciences and introduces students to operative technologies including surgical microbiology, electricity, robotics, wound closure methods, wound healing, and related operative equipment. Foundational concepts related to the sterilization and disinfection of medical devices are also presented.

Basic surgical specialties are surveyed in this course with an emphasis on perioperative case management, surgical patient care, operative anatomy, and related terminology and pathophysiology. Specific operative interventions include surgical procedures in diagnostic, general, obstetric and gynecologic, genitourinary, otorhinolaryngologic, and orthopedic surgery.

In this hybrid lecture/laboratory course, students will learn the foundational principles and practices needed to function as a member of the central service department team. Topics presented include infection control practices in the perioperative setting, surgical equipment maintenance and processing, surgical instrumentation reprocessing and sterilization, endoscope reprocessing, and sterile storage and distribution concepts.

This course explores the handling, preparation, and administration of medications and anesthetic agents during surgical intervention. Concepts are presented within the context of perioperative case management. Topics include patient assessment and intraoperative monitoring, general and local anesthesia, care and handling of pharmacologic agents and solutions, management of drug complications, and interventions for perioperative patient emergencies.

This laboratory course accompanies SGT101: Surgical Technology Theory 1. Laboratory skills emphasize the application of perioperative patient care concepts, including operating room attire and personal protective equipment; handling of surgical instrumentation, equipment, and supplies; preparing the operating room and opening the sterile field; scrubbing, gowning, and gloving for surgery; establishing the sterile field; setting up the back table; operative counts; and draping the patient.

This laboratory course accompanies SGT102: Perioperative Patient Care. Students in this course will apply perioperative patient care concepts to practice in the assistant circulator role. Laboratory skills include medication handling and labeling, patient vital signs, patient transport and transfer, perianesthesia care, urinary catheterization, surgical patient positioning, and preoperative skin preparation.

This laboratory course accompanies SGT113: Surgical Technology Theory II. Students will apply the concepts of intraoperative surgical case management to laboratory skills including operative time-out, handling and passing surgical instruments and supplies, anticipating the needs of the surgeon and patient, and breaking down the sterile field.

This laboratory course accompanies SGT104: Surgical Sciences. Students will apply basic principles of surgical science to the practice of suture material handling, preparation, and passing; operating room turnover and disinfection; surgical instrument processing and sterilization; and immediate-use sterilization.

This course provides students an opportunity to apply surgical technology theory and knowledge of perioperative case management within the context of a comprehensive mock surgery experience. Students will be evaluated based on their performance in the scrub, assistant circulator, and second assistant roles.

This course provides students a continuing opportunity to apply surgical technology theory and knowledge of perioperative case management within the context of a comprehensive mock surgery experience. Students will continue to be evaluated based on their performance in the scrub, assistant circulator, and second assistant roles in preparation for clinical practice.

In this course, students will participate in a comprehensive review of the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology in preparation for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination offered through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Specific review topics will be chosen in accordance with the NBSTSA CST examination content outline.