Surgical Technology Program

The ACC Surgery Technology program is designed to equip you with the skills you'll need to begin a rewarding career. The curriculum focuses on the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains necessary to prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors and nurses during surgical procedures.

Surgical Technologists are responsible for many important tasks assisting in the care of surgical patients, including:

• Working with surgeons, nurses, and other operating room personnel
• Understanding fundamentals steps and routine procedures in order to assist the surgeon
• Helping to ensure surgical procedures are performed efficiently and effectively
• Preparing operating rooms for surgery
• Maintaining equipment, rooms, and supplies
• And many other important responsibilities

After successfully completing the program, you will be eligible to take the certification exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

The focus is on your success!
The goal of our program is to help you graduate with the confidence and qualifications to begin your career as a surgical technologist.*

*ACC cannot guarantee employment.

Surgical Technologists generally work in a hospital setting, assisting surgeons, registered nurses, and anesthesiologists during surgical operations.

In your Surgical Technology program at ACC, you will participate in actual surgical procedures and direct patient care in the STSR role in a variety of areas, including preoperative, intra-operative, and postoperative patient care . Upon successful completion of the program, you can expect to qualify for entry-level positions and be ready to interview for employment in:

• Hospitals
• Outpatient Surgery Centers
• Operating Rooms
• Delivery Rooms
• Physicians' Offices
• Dentists' Office
• Outpatient Care Facilities

A few interesting statistics* about Surgical Technology careers: 

• Employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow nationally by 19 percent from 2010 to 2020.
• Surgical technologists typically need a postsecondary certificate or associate's degree. Certification also can help a surgical technologist find a position.
• Surgical technologists occasionally advance to other health care occupations, such as physician assistants or registered nurses.

A few places where graduates from various ACC programs have been hired:

Many area employers are very familiar with the quality of ACC's healthcare training programs and our school's track record for preparing confident, qualified professionals for rewarding careers. Our graduates have been hired by:

* Source: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm

This curriculum is divided into eight 10-week quarters, each of which includes prescribed subjects or studies that build upon each other. Clinical experience in hospital settings is also required for successful completion of the program, and these clinical rotations, which begin in quarter seven, comprise 600 hours. In addition to general education courses, core courses in ACC's Surgical Technology program include:

• Anatomy and Physiology I – This course provides an overview of the associate major terms and physiologic functions used in anatomy with clinical situations. You will learn about the human body and how it functions.
• Introduction to Surgical Technology – In this course, you will learn about surgical technology as a profession, and the structure of health care facilities and hospital organization. You will also be introduced to the scope of practice as a member of the surgical team and become familiarized with medical terminology.
• Surgical Techniques I Lab – In the laboratory component of this course, you will be introduced to basic surgical techniques such as aseptic technique, scrubbing, gowning and gloving, establishing a sterile field and organizing the sterile field. You will also learn how perform the surgical counts as well as assisting with draping the surgical patient.
• Operating Room Fundamentals – This course will introduce you to the operating room environment as well as basic surgical instrumentation, equipment, and supplies. Common hazards and safety precautions will be discussed, and you will also learn about technological advances of the modern operating room.
• Surgical Procedures I – In this course, you will study advanced techniques in surgical patient care, which will be reinforced through hands-on practicum. You will learn the different roles of the surgical technologist (Scrub Role - STSR, Assistant Circulator - STAC and Second Assistant – STSA roles) during routine mock surgical procedures in the laboratory setting.
• Clinical Practicum I – This course provides you with the opportunity to participate in actual surgical procedures. You will direct patient care in the STSR role in the following areas: preoperative, intra-operative care, and postoperative patient care. You will also participate in assisting with instrument processing as well as pulling supplies and instrumentation from the sterile supply areas.

Other core courses in this program include:

Once you have completed your ACC training and earned your associate's degree, you'll be ready to pursue exciting career opportunities. As an entry-level Surgical Technologist, your day-to-day responsibilities* may include:

• Preparing operating rooms for surgery
• Working with surgeons, nurses, and other operating room personnel
• Sterilizing equipment and make sure that there are adequate supplies for surgery
• Preparing patients for surgery by washing and disinfecting incision sites
• Helping surgeons and nurses during surgery by passing them instruments and other sterile supplies
• Helping transfer patients to recovery rooms
• Positioning patients on the operating table and covering them with sterile drapes
• Passing instruments and supplies to surgeons and first assistants.

You'll be on your way!

As you begin your career as a Surgical Technologist, the ongoing development of your skills can create increased opportunities for advancement. Even after you are employed, ACC's Career Services team will remain committed to providing you with the resources, support, and personalized assistance you need to keep your career on the fast track.

* Source: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm