Surgical Technology - Athens Technical College

Surgical Technology from Athens Technical College is a Campus Associate Surgery degree that prepares you for a Healthcare career. Surgical technologists help in preparing for surgery, assist during surgery, and clean and stock operating rooms after surgery. They are an integral part of a surgical team providing perioperative patient care. Before the operation they assist in getting the operating room set up with equipment, instruments, and sterile supplies that might be needed. During surgery, surgical technologists have primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining the sterile field. In order that surgery proceed smoothly, surgical technologists anticipate the needs of the surgeon; pass instruments, sutures, and sponges; and provide other sterile items to members of the surgical team in an efficient manner. As directed by the surgeon, the surgical technologist may sponge or suction the operative site, hold retractors, and cut suture. Surgical technologist also operates various types of equipment such as autoclaves, suction devices, microscopes, light sources, insufflators, and electrosurgical units. They help collect and handle specimens and help apply dressings. After surgery, surgical technologists assist in the room turnover procedures. In the nonsterile circulating role, surgical technologists assist with patient positioning and prepping, they provide needed sterile items, and they assist anesthesia personnel. Students or graduates of this program are eligible to receive an Associate of Applied Technology degree in Health by completing an additional 30 quarter credit hours of general education core courses, 5 quarter credit hours of electives, and 15 quarter credit hours in a cognate area outside their major. Students may be eligible to complete higher-level general education courses in lieu of related education core requirements, thus reducing the total number of credits required. To complete associate degree requirements, students or graduates must meet general admission requirements for associate degree-level work and complete an additional 50 quarter credit hours of course work. View more details on Athens Technical College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Surgery courses.