Surgical Technology Services (A.S.)
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 Surgical Technology Services A.S. degree program includes the following College Credit Certificate:
Program-Specific Admissions Information: This is a limited-access program; student must submit a separate application to the program.
Refer to the Associate in Science (A.S.) page to find information about admission, graduation, general education and other requirements. Students will work with an advisor to determine the courses best suited to their plan of study.
Visit the program page for information or call (321) 433-7575.
Program of Study
| 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 | |
Note: In accordance with Florida Statute and Florida Administrative Code, students must satisfy the Civic Literacy Graduation Requirement.
A grade of "C" or higher is necessary in each major course for progression and graduation.
Course Sequence
Below is the recommended sequence for taking courses in this degree. Using this guide and meeting with your assigned advisor each term is the key to successful program completion.
Please note that course prerequisites, including required developmental math, reading, or writing, need to be completed to continue on to the more advanced course. Click on the course number to see the requirements.
| Code | Title | 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 | |
| BSCC 2093 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| Humanities Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Mathematics Core Requirement | 3 | |
| BSCC 2094 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
| MCBC 2010 | Microbiology for Health Sciences | 4 |
| PSY 2012 | General Psychology 1 | 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 |
| STS 2944 | Surgical Clinical 1 | 2 |
| STS 2945 | Surgical Clinical 2 | 5 |
| STS 2947 | Surgical Internship | 3 |
| STSC 2955 | Surgical Procedures Capstone | 3 |
| 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
- Core Ability Supported: 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
- Core Ability Supported: 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
- Core Ability Supported: 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
- Core Ability Supported: Model Ethical 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
- Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and 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
- Core Ability Supported: Model Ethical 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
- Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems