PROGRAM OF STUDY

FIRST SEMESTER:

Preclinical theory includes an orientation to the profession and a study of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, patient care concepts, asepsis and the surgical environment, fundamental techniques, procedures, and orientation to surgical technology. Students will also become certified in CPR. Clinical practice experiences are obtained in the campus laboratory and surgery suites of affiliated hospitals.

SECOND SEMESTER:

Theory includes the study of pharmacology and surgical procedures II.

Clinical experience is obtained in the surgical departments of affiliated hospitals.

THIRD SEMESTER:

Surgical procedure III is an intensive clinical experience received in a variety of surgical departments in the Chattanooga area.

The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA )

ACCREDITATION CLINICAL REQUIREMENTS

The clinical performance of the Surgical Technology student is evaluated on an on-going basis throughout each course or rotation. Evaluations are necessary to document the progress of the students. The following types of evaluations will occur with each student in order to successfully complete the program and demonstrate competence for the workforce:

Written weekly/daily evaluation of didactic material such as exams, quizzes, homework, etc.
Written bi-monthly evaluation of clinical progress by clinical instructor
Weekly preceptor evaluation of core/specialty courses scrubbed as well as the role assumed by the student in each of these cases
Written weekly self assessment by each student
Satisfactory completion of the standard program guideline of scrubbing at least 125 surgical cases with a ratio of 80/45 of core verses specialty cases at levels as follows:

CORE STANDARDS	SPECIALTY	RATIOS	TOTAL INDEPENDENT
Level I - 10	Level1 - 10	CASES - 125	35
Level II - 10	Level II - 5	Ratio - 80/45
Level III - 0	Level III - 0	(65%/35%)

The student must successfully scrub a minimum of 35 cases independently as outlined in the Association of Surgical Technologists’ Core curriculum 5th edition.
Procedures that are observed or scrubbed in a role where less than 70% of performance is documented DO NOT COUNT toward meeting clinical case requirement. This also includes assistant circulating duties.

View the Core and Specialty level of surgery cases.

If a student is identified by the instructor to be consistently weak in clinical practice, the instructor will provide adequate counseling and guidance prior to the determination of an unsatisfactory clinical evaluation. The instructor will provide evidence of previous conferences with the student regarding the problem. If the problem persists, a conference with the program coordinator will be held. At that time a written probation warning will be given. Included is an explanation of the specific problem(s), methods for correction and time frame for improvement. A follow-up conference will be held at the appropriate time to determine if progress has occurred. A lack of progress will result in an unsatisfactory clinical evaluation and failure from the program.