SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY A CHALLENGING AND REWARDING CAREER

WHAT IS A SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST? The surgical technologist is a scrubbed, gowned, and gloved participant in surgery who prepares and passes instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure.

WHAT IS A SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST? He/she has an understanding of the procedure being performed and anticipates the needs of the surgeon

TYPICAL DUTIES Checks supplies and equipment needed for surgical procedure Scrubs, gowns, and gloves Sets up sterile table with instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications/solutions needed for procedure Performs appropriate counts with circulator prior to the operation and before incision is closed

TYPICAL DUTIES Gowns and gloves surgeon and assistants Helps in draping sterile field Passes instruments, etc., to surgeon during procedure Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during procedure Prepares sterile dressings

INSTRUMENTS & SUPPLIES

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

WORKING WITH OTHERS Surgical Technologists work as part of the surgical team Surgical Technologists work as part of the surgical team

WORKING HOURS Various shifts – Various shifts – 8 hours, 10 hours, 12 hours 8 hours, 10 hours, 12 hours Common hours – Common hours – 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (May be on call) (May be on call)

BENEFITS Excellent benefits - health insurance, life insurance & others

ADVANTAGES OF SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY Exciting Exciting Interesting Interesting Fast-Paced Fast-Paced You Make a Difference You Make a Difference Instant Gratification Instant Gratification

ADVANTAGES OF SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY One of the fastest rates of employment One of the fastest rates of employment Rewarding and Fulfilling Rewarding and Fulfilling Good Pay Good Pay Versatility Versatility Potential for job security Potential for job security

DISADVANTAGES OF SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY Stand on your feet May work through lunch Can be stressful

EDUCATION York Technical College

COURSES TO TAKE IN HIGH SCHOOL? Biology Biology Anatomy & Physiology Anatomy & Physiology Microbiology Microbiology

What are the steps to enrolling in the Surgical Technology program?

Complete and submit a York Technical College Application Complete and submit a York Technical College Application Take the placement test or submit SAT/ACT scores Take the placement test or submit SAT/ACT scores Submit college transcripts (if applicable) Submit college transcripts (if applicable) Meet with an Admissions Counselor Meet with an Admissions Counselor Be accepted to the Pre-Surgical Tech program Be accepted to the Pre-Surgical Tech program Work with your advisor each term Work with your advisor each term

Meet requirements for program goal Meet requirements for program goal Meet with an Admissions Counselor Meet with an Admissions Counselor Pay the $50.00 wait list fee Pay the $50.00 wait list fee Pay the $ deposit when seat is available Pay the $ deposit when seat is available Maintain 2.0 GPR each semester Maintain 2.0 GPR each semester Fulfill entry criteria - Fulfill entry criteria - Physical Exam Clinical Site Clearance  Criminal Background Check  Drug Screen Health and liability insurance

What is the employment outlook for graduates of the Surgical Technology Program? A willingness to relocate may be required to secure employment.

Employment can be found in: Hospitals Hospitals Physician’s Offices Physician’s Offices Veterinarian's offices Veterinarian's offices Commercial Sales Commercial Sales Management Management Education Education Graduates of this program have successfully gained employment since the program began 30 plus years ago. Hospitals Dr. Offices Education Sales ?

OUTLOOK Yahoo Careers, April 2009 states; Yahoo Careers, April 2009 states; Surgical Technologist: “Job growth for this profession is "much faster than average," according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with 24 percent growth expected between now and 2016” Surgical Technologist: “Job growth for this profession is "much faster than average," according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with 24 percent growth expected between now and 2016”

What is the salary range for graduates of this program? What is the salary range for graduates of this program?

SALARY The entry-level average salary range is $25,000 to $32,700 per year. The entry-level average salary range is $25,000 to $32,700 per year. Approximately $12.50 to $15.72 per hr. Approximately $12.50 to $15.72 per hr. Earning potential is higher for more advanced training such as CST II, CST III, and CFA Credentials. Earning potential is higher for more advanced training such as CST II, CST III, and CFA Credentials.

What types of surgery will I participate in? What types of surgery will I participate in?

Surgical Technologists are trained in several surgical specialties These include : General General Orthopedic Orthopedic Plastic Plastic Obstetrics/gynecology Obstetrics/gynecology ENT ENT Ophthalmology Ophthalmology Neuro Neuro Cardiovascular Cardiovascular Genitourinary Genitourinary Thoracic Thoracic

How much time should I expect to spend in this program to be successful? How much time should I expect to spend in this program to be successful?

The program is very demanding! The program is very demanding! Between the coursework and the clinical rotations, successful students should plan to devote approximately 40 hours per week each semester to their education. Between the coursework and the clinical rotations, successful students should plan to devote approximately 40 hours per week each semester to their education.

This schedule can make it challenging to be employed full-time while enrolled in the program. This schedule can make it challenging to be employed full-time while enrolled in the program. For students who must work, it is highly recommended that they work no more than 20 hours per week. For students who must work, it is highly recommended that they work no more than 20 hours per week.

Can the clinical environment be stressful?

It can be extremely stressful! It can be extremely stressful! The operating room environment is unique in that many other patient care components “feed” into surgery The operating room environment is unique in that many other patient care components “feed” into surgery The successful student must be willing to accept constructive criticism and learn from the many stressful experiences that are encountered in the clinical setting. The successful student must be willing to accept constructive criticism and learn from the many stressful experiences that are encountered in the clinical setting.

Is Surgical Technology Rewarding?

We touch the lives of people everyday

We work to save and to improve the quality of life HOW EXCITING!

WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY FROM THIS….

TO THIS…. ROBOTIC SURGERY

AND THIS… ORGAN RETRIVAL

TO THE MIRACLE OF BIRTH! SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST AT WORK

Everyday brings a new adventure Surgical Technology is Exciting and rewarding Surgical Technology is Exciting and rewarding

What types of patients and diseases may I encounter?

Many surgical patients can be quite ill Many surgical patients can be quite ill Surgical Technologists may be exposed to many different types of diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis. Surgical Technologists may be exposed to many different types of diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis. However! Students enrolled in the program learn safety precautions to protect themselves from contracting a disease. However! Students enrolled in the program learn safety precautions to protect themselves from contracting a disease.

Will I actually be required to touch patients?

Yes!

Will I see blood in the clinical setting?

Definitely!!!

Is there a great deal of physical work associated with this field?

Yes! Patients must be positioned for surgery so this may require lifting and moving by the surgical technologist. Yes! Patients must be positioned for surgery so this may require lifting and moving by the surgical technologist. The surgical technologist will also be operating heavy equipment (microscopes, video towers) that will need to be manipulated. The surgical technologist will also be operating heavy equipment (microscopes, video towers) that will need to be manipulated. There is also a great deal of standing and walking. There is also a great deal of standing and walking.

Are there opportunities for advancement in this career? Are there opportunities for advancement in this career?

Other Careers in Surgical Technology Private Scrub Private Scrub CFA (First Assistant) CFA (First Assistant) Education Education Medical Sales Medical Sales Central Service Central Service Careers

What type of special skills do I need to possess in order to be a successful surgical technologist?

Skills Required for Surgical Technology Responsible/reliable Responsible/reliable Good communication skills Good communication skills Like working with people and equipment Like working with people and equipment Good physical stamina Good physical stamina A strong stomach A strong stomach Math and Science background Math and Science background

Surgical Technology Schedule The Surgical Technology Program is a 3 semester program once accepted into the program The Surgical Technology Program is a 3 semester program once accepted into the program Fall Semester students will attend lab 2 days per week and class 2 days per week, no scheduled classes on Friday Fall Semester students will attend lab 2 days per week and class 2 days per week, no scheduled classes on Friday Spring Semester students will complete course work on campus 4 days per week, followed by 240 hours of Clinical rotations Spring Semester students will complete course work on campus 4 days per week, followed by 240 hours of Clinical rotations Summer Term students will complete an additional 240 clinical hours and attend class 1 day per week to prepare for the National Certification exam Summer Term students will complete an additional 240 clinical hours and attend class 1 day per week to prepare for the National Certification exam

Make an INFORMED and REALISTIC CHOICE The grading scale for the Surgical Technology program for both coursework and clinicals: The grading scale for the Surgical Technology program for both coursework and clinicals: , A; 85-92, B; 80-84, C; 75-79, D; Below 75, F , A; 85-92, B; 80-84, C; 75-79, D; Below 75, F. Students MUST maintain a MINIMUM grade point average of 80 in all Surgical Technology coursework in order to remain in the program. Students MUST maintain a MINIMUM grade point average of 80 in all Surgical Technology coursework in order to remain in the program. A minimum of 80 is required in all clinical coursework. Below 80 is considered unacceptable clinical performance. A minimum of 80 is required in all clinical coursework. Below 80 is considered unacceptable clinical performance.

Make an INFORMED and REALISTIC CHOICE The grading scale for the Surgical Technology program for both coursework and clinicals: The grading scale for the Surgical Technology program for both coursework and clinicals: , A; 85-92, B; 80-84, C; 75-79, D; Below 75, F , A; 85-92, B; 80-84, C; 75-79, D; Below 75, F. Students MUST maintain a MINIMUM grade point average of 80 in all Surgical Technology coursework in order to remain in the program. Students MUST maintain a MINIMUM grade point average of 80 in all Surgical Technology coursework in order to remain in the program. A minimum of 80 is required in all clinical coursework. Below 80 is considered unacceptable clinical performance. A minimum of 80 is required in all clinical coursework. Below 80 is considered unacceptable clinical performance.

In other words… Students who earn any grade below a C in any Surgical Technology course will not be eligible to continue. Students who earn any grade below a C in any Surgical Technology course will not be eligible to continue. It is very difficult for students to work more than 20 hours per week and be successful in this program. It is very difficult for students to work more than 20 hours per week and be successful in this program.

What are the expenses for the program?

Estimated Expense

What will my title be when I complete the program?

A graduate of any Surgical Technology program that successfully passes the national certification examination will be given the right to be called a Certified Surgical Technologist. A graduate of any Surgical Technology program that successfully passes the national certification examination will be given the right to be called a Certified Surgical Technologist.CST

Will I be required to complete additional training once I become certified?

Continuing Education credits are required once you have become certified Continuing Education credits are required once you have become certified 15 credits every year 15 credits every year 60 in a 4 year cycle 60 in a 4 year cycle Certified Technologist

Can you picture yourself in a Surgical Technology career ?

Remember when choosing a Career in the medical field DON’T FORGET THIS EXCITING AND REWARDING TEAM

If you would like more information Please feel free to contact: Sandra Farley- Department Chair , or Sandra Farley- Department Chair , or OR Ivy Moore- Clinical Coordinator , or Ivy Moore- Clinical Coordinator , or