2024-2025 Catalog

Surgical Technology Associate of Applied Science

My Academic Plan

Courses are displayed to show the fastest path to your degree and should be completed in the order listed. This program functions as cohorts starting fall and spring semester of each academic year. If you have questions or concerns about your MAP, please see your Program Director or Academic Advisor.

Program Description

This program is designed for students wanting to complete a two-year AAS Degree in Surgical Technology and enter the workforce. Students explore methods of providing patient care during all phases of surgery. The surgical technologist is an integral member of the surgical team including the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurse to deliver patient care before, during and after surgery. Before an operation, surgical technologists help prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment. During the surgery, technologists pass instruments and sterile supplies to surgeons and assistants. This four semester program develops the knowledge and skills for an entry level career as a surgical technologist, one of the fastest growing jobs in health care. Surgical technologists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, surgery departments, obstetric departments, and ambulatory surgery centers. The curriculum is in alignment with the standards set forth by the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) core curriculum guidelines. FRCC Surgical Technology Program has been granted accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council for Education in Surgical Technology & Surgical Assisting (www.arcstsa.org) which will allow students who successfully complete the program to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology & Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification and have the credential of Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

Learn more about this program.

What You Will Learn

Upon completion of this program you will be able to:

 1.  Articulate the general characteristics of medical terminology and common use in the healthcare environment, and assign medical terminology as it relates to the whole body
 2.  Identify types and functions of instruments and their uses
 3.  Demonstrate the proper care and handling of surgical instruments
 4.  Describe sterilization methods used in the operating room
 5.  Articulate the concepts of the aseptic technique
 6.  Apply the correct methods and steps in the aseptic process
 7.  Demonstrate the principles of aseptic technique when opening sterile supplies
 8.  Adapt to the various types of work environments for surgical technologists and maintain professional behavior and appearance in all aspects of the medical field
 9.  Communicate effectively with patients and members of the healthcare team
10.  Perform all assigned independent duties competently and efficiently as allowed by the state and federal laws

First Semester

BIO 1010Biology Foundations

2

BIO 1006Basic Anatomy and Physiology

4

ENG 1021 or ENG 1022 or ENG 1031English Composition I (ENG 1021) or English Composition II (ENG 1022) or Technical Writing I (ENG 1031)

3

MAT 1140 or HigherCareer Mathematics (MAT 1140) or Higher

3

HPR 1045Medical Record Terminology

2

Total Credit Hours:14
BIO 2101/BIO 2102 Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab and Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab can count in lieu of BIO 1006. Students must have taken both courses for the substitution to occur.

Second Semester

BIO 2104Microbiology w/Lab: GT-SC1

4

STE 1000Fundamentals Surgical Technology

6

STE 1001Surgical Technology Skills Lab

4

STE 1005Pharmacology of Surgical Technology

2

Total Credit Hours:16

Third Semester

PSY 2440Human Growth & Development: GT-SS3  

3

STE 1010Surgical Procedures I

3

STE 1015Surgical Procedures II

3

STE 1020Surgical Procedures III

3

STE 1021Surgical Instruments I

1

STE 1031Surgical Instruments II

3

Total Credit Hours:16

Fourth Semester

STE 1081Internship I

4

STE 1082Internship II

4

STE 1083Internship III

4

STE 2069CST Exam Review Course

2

Total Credit Hours:14

Total Credit Hours: 60

Important Program Notes:

Beginning Summer 2022, the Surgical Technology Program (STE) will be offering 3 starts per year. Students will be able to begin the STE program in either Fall, Spring, or Summer. The MAP itself will not change.

You must complete a minimum of 60 credits to complete this degree. If receiving financial aid, you should only take courses and credits as required for this degree. Check with your advisor to monitor your completion progress.