Associate in Science - Surgical Technology Services
Previous Degree Required: HS Diploma
Eligible for Financial Aid: Yes
Delivery Method(s): On-Campus
Location(s): Melbourne
Additional Limited Access Application Process Required: Yes
Program Testing Requirements: Assessment in Reading, Writing, and Math
Academic Community: HSCI
Program Code: STAS
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code: 51.0909
Florida Department of Education CIP Code: 1351090901
- Leads to State or Organizational License or Certification: Surgical Technologist
- Cost Associated with taking the exam: Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) Member $190, Non-member $290
- Where to take the exam: Student takes on campus or may proctor at home or location of choice
The Surgical Technologist works with the surgeon, anesthesiologist or anesthetist, and professional registered nurse as a member of the direct patient care team during surgery. The surgical technologist assists by preparing and handling supplies and equipment to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for the patient through specific techniques and practices designed to exclude all pathogenic microorganisms from the operative wound. High School diploma or GED required.
Upon successful completion of the Surgical Technology Services program, the student is qualified to make application to the National Certification Examination for Surgical Technologists.
The A.S. Surgical Technology Services degree has the following associated College Credit Certificate (CCC):
Admission to the Surgical Technology Services program is limited.
Refer to the Associate in Science Degree Programs overview to find information about admission, graduation, general education and other requirements. Students who need technical electives will work with a bachelor’s advisor to determine the courses best suited to their plan of study.
Visit the program page for information or call (321) 433-7575.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| BSCC 1010 | General Biology 1 | 4 |
| ENC 1101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| Humanities Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Mathematics Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Science/Core-Civic Literacy Requirement | 3 | |
| Major Courses | ||
| STS 2944 | Surgical Clinical 1 | 2 |
| STS 2945 | Surgical Clinical 2 | 5 |
| STS 2947 | Surgical Internship | 3 |
| STSC 1105 | Fundamentals of Surgical Technology | 4 |
| STSC 1323 | Surgical Techniques and Procedures 1 | 4 |
| STSC 1340 | Surgical Science and Pharmacology | 3 |
| STSC 2324 | Surgical Techniques and Procedures 2 | 7 |
| STSC 2955 | Surgical Procedures Capstone | 3 |
| Support Courses | ||
| BSCC 2093 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| BSCC 2094 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
| HSC 1531 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| MCBC 2010 | Microbiology for Health Sciences | 4 |
| PSY 2012 | General Psychology 1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 64 | |
- Satisfy the civic literacy competency requirement
A grade of "C" or higher is necessary in each major course for progression and graduation.
Course Sequence
The following sequence is recommended. However, courses may not be offered in this order, so it is important that you work with an advisor to plan your schedule based on your specific needs.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Credit Hours | |
| BSCC 1010 | General Biology 1 | 4 |
| ENC 1101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| HSC 1531 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| Social/Behavioral Science/Core-Civic Literacy Requirement | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| BSCC 2093 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| Humanities Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Mathematics Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| BSCC 2094 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
| MCBC 2010 | Microbiology for Health Sciences | 4 |
| PSY 2012 | General Psychology 1 | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 11 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Term 4 | ||
| STSC 1105 | Fundamentals of Surgical Technology | 4 |
| STSC 1323 | Surgical Techniques and Procedures 1 | 4 |
| STSC 1340 | Surgical Science and Pharmacology | 3 |
| STSC 2324 | Surgical Techniques and Procedures 2 | 7 |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| STS 2944 | Surgical Clinical 1 | 2 |
| STS 2945 | Surgical Clinical 2 | 5 |
| Credit Hours | 7 | |
| Term 6 | ||
| STS 2947 | Surgical Internship | 3 |
| STSC 2955 | Surgical Procedures Capstone | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 64 | |
Learning Outcomes
- Communicate clearly and effectively utilizing spoken, written, ethical, professional interpersonal communication skills with patients, physicians, coworkers, and all communities of interest
- Supports Core Ability: Communicate Effectively
- Correlate the principles underlying the profession of surgical technology, including anatomy and pathophysiology, microbiology, pharmacology, asepsis, surgical conscience, and operating room skills, techniques, instrumentation, equipment, and supplies in providing safe, ethical, optimal perioperative patient care
- Supports Core Ability: Process Information
- Integrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills with learned competencies to function in a professional, collaborative surgical technologist role for the safe delivery of legal and ethical patient care during emergencies and routine care across the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative phases of patient care
- Supports Core Ability: Work Cooperatively
- Perform in the perioperative setting in specialized roles with duties of a surgical technologist demonstrating moral, legal, and ethical responsibilities and respect for the diversity of others including socio-economic, spiritual, and lifestyle choices of the patient performing duties
- Supports Core Ability: Model Ethic and Civic Responsibility
- Incorporate critical thinking skills into the synthesis of cognitive, psychomotor, and affective knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for solving problems in the provision of quality, safe, supportive care of the patient and family during emergencies and routine care according to current industry standards in the surgical setting
- Supports Core Ability: Think Critically & Solve Problems
- Justify the importance of informed consent, exemplary personal behaviors and accountability, patient advocacy, a commitment to life-long learning, interprofessional communication and collaboration, and a commitment to lifelong learning as essential to the professionalism, teamwork, and legal and ethical practice standards for surgical technology
- Supports Core Ability: Model Ethic and Civic Responsibility
- Demonstrate competence in knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to work as an entry-level surgical technologist team member in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of surgical case management providing comprehensive care for diverse patients
- Supports Core Ability: Think Critically & Solve Problems