Surgical Technology - McLennan Community College

Surgical Technology from McLennan Community College is a Campus Certificate Surgery degree that prepares you for a Healthcare career. Description of a Surgical Technologist A Surgical Technologist (ST) is a contributing member of patient care and the surgical team. The Surgical Technology Program at MCC is a one-year certificate program. Once students are accepted into the MCC-ST program they have up to 3 years to complete the program requirements. Upon graduation and successfully passing the national certification examination, the Surgical Technologist will be professionally recognized as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). The ST learns through strict aseptic technique guidelines to function as one of the sterile team members in the preparation, setup, and maintenance of the sterile field. The ST prepares the operating room by selecting and having readily available needed surgical supplies, instruments, and equipment. Using aseptic technique the ST opens the required supplies and instruments establishing the sterile field. The ST enters the sterile field after scrubbing, gowning and gloving. During the surgical procedure the duties of the ST are to maintain the sterile field, be vigilant to possible contaminations, pass instrumentation, sponges, and suturing material to the surgeon and/or surgical assistant, request needed supplies from the circulator, account for all counted surgical supplies, sponges and instruments before, during and after the case, and be the patient's advocate at all times. Other duties may include holding retractors or suctioning the surgical site under the direct supervision of the surgeon, helping the circulator or anesthesia in the non-sterile role, and accompanying specimens to the pathology department. After the procedure is over the ST breaks down the sterile field and disposes of all sharp and contaminated materials safely, carries non-disposable items to the decontamination room to be processed and begins preparing for the next case. The ST shares responsibilities before, during and after the surgical procedure with other Surgical Technologists, the circulating Registered Nurse (RN), anesthesia personnel, and any ancillary personnel involved. A proficient Surgical Technologist must display a caring attitude toward the patient and fellow team members. It is also necessary to understand normal anatomy and physiology, the pathological condition affecting the patient, the planned operative procedure, work under stressful situations and be able to critical think and problem solve. Program Mission Statement The mission of the Surgical Technology program is to provide students with the opportunity to obtain and apply knowledge and skills to be employed as an entry level Surgical Technologist and become contributing members of the health care team. View more details on McLennan Community College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Surgery courses.