Surgical Technology (A.A.S.)

Degree: Pending SACSCOC Approval – Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology (A.A.S.)

Accreditation. Pending approval: Commission on Accreditation Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 9355 - 113^th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775 and the Education Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) 19751 East Mainstreet Suite #339 Parker, CO 80138.

Program Description. Pellissippi State’s Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology will be accredited through the Commission on Accreditation Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Education Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA). This program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians and surgical nurses, to maintain, monitor and enforce the sterile field and adherence to aseptic technique by preoperative, surgical team, and postoperative personnel. Includes instruction in instrument and equipment sterilization and handling, surgical supplies management, wound exposure and closure, surgical computer and robot operation and monitoring, maintenance of hemostasis, and patient and team scrubbing. The majority of certified Surgical Technologist work in hospital settings as part of the surgical team. They can also be employed by physicians’ offices, ambulatory care facilities and equipment sales positions for medical companies.

Program outcomes. Upon completion of the Surgical Technology program, the graduate will have developed the skills, knowledge and abilities to accomplish the following:

Recognize elements of good patient care and prioritize them before less important elements in the operating room.
Behave professionally in a stressful environment with demanding personalities while remaining calm and focused.
Accurately plan for and perform duties of a surgical technologist in the scrub role in common surgical specialties.

Contact(s): Health Science Coordinator, (865) 225-2337; or (865) 225-2371.

Courses and Course Sequence

It is required that students complete HCMT 1010 , MATH general education elective, SURG 1304 , SURG 1305 , SURG 1410 , SURG 2299 , and SURG 2310 before beginning the Surgical Technology program. Prerequisites may apply to specific courses; it is the student’s responsibility to determine whether prerequisites have been met. All students must have a C or better in required math and science prerequisite courses. Prior to registering each semester, the student is expected to consult with a Health Science advisor.

Foundational Course Requirements

COLL 1000 - First Year Seminar Credit(s): 1
COMM 2025 - Fundamentals of Communication ♦ Credit(s): 3
or COMM 2045 - Public Speaking ♦
ENGL 1010 - English Composition I ♦ Credit(s): 3
GEN ED¹ - General Education Electives 6 Credit(s)
HUM/FA¹ - Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3 Credit(s)
MATH¹ - Mathematics Elective 3-5 Credit(s)
SBS¹ - Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective 3 Credit(s)

Major Course Requirements

HCMT 1010 - Medical Terminology I Credit(s): 3
SURG 1102 - Orientation to Surgical Technology Credit(s): 1
SURG 1304 - Basic Anatomy & Physiology Credit(s): 3
SURG 1305 - Surgical Pharmacology Credit(s): 3
SURG 1410 - Surgical Technology & Patient Care I Credit(s): 4
SURG 2103 - Clinical Practicum I Credit(s): 1
SURG 2199 - Special Topics in Surgical Technology III Credit(s): 1
SURG 2201 - Clinical Practicum II Credit(s): 2
SURG 2299 - Special Topics in Surgical Technology I Credit(s): 2
SURG 2302 - Clinical Practicum III Credit(s): 3
SURG 2310 - Surgical Microbiology & Asepsis Credit(s): 3
SURG 2321 - Surgical Procedures I Credit(s): 3
SURG 2330 - Surgical Procedures II Credit(s): 3
SURG 2399 - Special Topics in Surgical Technology II Credit(s): 3
SURG 2420 - Surgical Technology & Patient Care II Credit(s): 4

Total Credit Hours Needed for Graduation: 60-61

¹GEN ED / HUM/FA / MATH / SBS
See the General Education section of this Catalog for electives.