STS 0003

Introduction to Surgical Technology (17)

Vocational hours: 510

Classification: PSAV

Acceptance to the Surgical Technology program and current CPR/BLS certification are required. The student will be introduced to the school's program, philosophy, and requirements. Interpersonal relationship techniques, medical terminology, and weights and measures are stressed. An understanding and appreciation for the role of a surgical technologist in the operating room, delivery room and related areas will be obtained. The student will be introduced to self, professional and workplace management skills. The student will become aware of the surgery patient's total needs and ethical, moral and legal patient care concepts for the surgical patient: physical, social, psychological, and spiritual. Surgical consent, pre-operative routine, and laboratory reports are covered and the student learns to interpret these reports. Pharmacology and principles of anesthesia administrations are stressed, with emphasis on the care and handling of drugs and solutions used in surgery, pre-operative meds, side effects, drug reactions and emergency measures used to counteract these reactions. The individuality and uniqueness of each patient is discussed. The student will learn to understand and use skills in the operating room, including principles of aseptic technique, correct procedure for scrubbing, gowning, and gloving (self and others), draping, handling of specimens, care and counting of sponges, sharps and instruments. The student will identify, demonstrate care, assembly and handling of instruments and specialty equipment. The student will obtain experience in handling drains, dressings, instruments, duties of scrub, circulator, second assist, surgical preps, positions, syringes, needles, sutures and stapling devices. The student will also learn to set up a basic mayo stand, back table, and perform both skills as a team member during skills lab practice. After successful completion of 240 hours and passing an instrumentation test, the student will have demonstrated an occupational completion point of Central Supply Technician. Students must also pass a skills performance test to successfully complete this course. The student will also understand and use principles of sanitation, sterilization and disinfection. Laboratory practice is an integral part of this course. The student will obtain a basic understanding of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Introduction to the structure and function of the body, anatomical positions and planes of the body, systems of the body and their interrelationships are studied. Principles of pathology and reaction of injury and pathogenesis of disease are discussed. Introduction to microbiology, the infectious process, body defenses against disease and wound healing are studied. Microorganisms as agents of disease and host-parasite are studied as they apply to the practice of surgery. Maintenance of health and prevention of disease is emphasized. The student will obtain clinical experience in the surgical environment. Students will actively participate as a scrub person during surgical procedures. Emphasis is on skills development learned in skills laboratory.