Curriculum

The Ascension St. Vincent Surgical Technology Program curriculum is carefully designed to facilitate student learning as they progress through the program. The first two semesters of the program, emphasis is on learning Medical Terminology, Proper Patient Care, Anatomy & Physiology, Fundamentals of Surgical Technology, and Surgical Procedures (general surgery). The second two semester of the program focuses on Microbiology, Pharmacology and Surgical Procedures (specialty) in addition to gaining clinical experience. The program curriculum adheres to the professional curriculum from the Association of Surgical Technology (www.AST.org).

The Surgical Technology Program course credits and descriptions by semester are below. A link to an at-a-glance of the program curriculum is below.

Surgical Technology Program Curriculum

General Education (Transferred In)

Algebra, Statistics or Higher Mathematics Course : 3.0 Credits
Communication: 3.0 Credits
Humanities, Sociology, Psychology: 3.0 Credit
Computer Sciences/ Information Systems: 3.0 Credit
Natural/ Physical Sciences: 3.0 Credit

Year 1: Spring Semester Courses

Medical Terminology (SURG 111): 2.0 Credits

Introduction to the origin and deviation of medical terms and abbreviations, as well as their meaning. An exploration of prefixes, suffixes and root word combinations to create specific medical terms. Medical terminology specific to the musculoskeletal and respiratory system will be included. This course is largely self-guided with instructor direction.

Prerequisites: admission to the surgical technology program.
Parallel: SURG 112, 113, 114.
Open only to surgical technology students.
Patient Care (SURG 112): 2.5 Credits

This course provides the student with the basic concepts of patient care including consideration for the physical and psychological needs of the patient. Some topics to be covered include: Safety and transport of a patient, infection control, handling acute situations, pharmacology, emergency recognition and response, and vital signs.

Prerequisites: admission to the surgical technology program.
Parallel: SURG 111, 113, 114.
Open only to surgical technology students.
Anatomy & Physiology I (SURG 113): 8.0 Credits

This course is designed to study the human structure and its functions. Specific emphasis will be placed on structure and function of cells, tissues, and systems to include respiratory, general abdomen, basic digestive anatomy, and the appendicular skeleton including the upper extremities, shoulder, lower extremities, and bony pelvis.

Prerequisites: admission to the surgical technology program.
Parallel: SURG 111, 112, 114.
Open only to surgical technology students.
Fundamentals of Surgical Technology (SURG 114): 9.0 Credits

Fundamentals of Surgical Technology is the initial course of the surgical technology program. This is the introduction to surgery. This covers formation of surgical technologists, basic sterile technique, instrumentation. This course will also focus on patients’ rights and provide a foundation of surgical conscience while working in the operating room. Fundamentals lab is a component focused on learning the basic instrumentation commonly used, proper terminology of surgical equipment and the basics of scrubbing into surgery.

Prerequisites: admission to the surgical technology program.
Parallel: SURG 111, 112, 113.
Open only to surgical technology students.

Year 1: Summer Semester Courses

Anatomy and Physiology II (SURG 121): 4.5 Credits

This course is a continuation of Anatomy and Physiology I and is designed to study the human structure and its functions. Structures and functions to be discussed include the axial skeletal system including the vertebral column, bony thorax, cranial and facial bones, digestive, urinary, biliary, reproductive, endocrine, muscular, integumentary, central nervous, cardiovascular, and lymphatic systems.

Prerequisites: SURG 111, 112, 113, 114.
Parallel: SURG 122.
Open only to surgical technology students.
Surgical Procedures I (SURG 122): 8.0 Credits

Surgical Procedures I course focuses on basic surgical procedures and instrumentation needed. This course focuses on the pathophysiology of the disease causing the need for surgery and the anatomy involved. Surgical Procedures lab component focuses on the instrumentation needed for the procedure along with the basic setup for each procedure.

Prerequisites: SURG 111, 112, 113, 114.
Parallel: SURG 121.
Open only to surgical technology students.

Year 1: Fall Semester Courses

Surgical Microbiology (SURG 131): 6.0 Credits

Surgical microbiology focuses on the understanding of microbiology and the processes of infection, body defenses, reactions and preventions. This course focuses on surgical disinfection, decontamination, sterilization and microbes can affect surgical procedures and affect patients.

Prerequisites: SURG 111, 112, 113, 114, 121, 122.
Parallel: SURG 132, 133.
Open only to surgical technology students.
Surgical Procedures II (SURG 132): 13.0 Credits

Surgical Procedures II course builds off the focus of Surgical Procedures I and more complex surgical procedures and instrumentation. This course focuses on more in-depth pathophysiology of the disease causing the need for surgery and the anatomy involved. Surgical Procedures II lab component focuses on instrumentation needed for the procedure along with timed setups. Five weeks of this course two days a week, students will start their clinical journey in the operating room and assist in surgeries using all their education and lab experiences that has prepared them.

Prerequisites: SURG 111, 112, 113, 114, 121, 122.
Parallel: SURG 131, 133.
Open only to surgical technology students.
Surgical Pharmacology (SURG 133): 5.0 Credits

Surgical Pharmacology focuses on the drugs commonly used during surgery and passed to surgical fields. This course focuses on drugs, adverse reactions, rights of medication, prevention of medication errors and how to obtain drugs to the sterile field. Also included in this course is common anesthesia drugs used, airway maintenance and surgical technologist role during an adverse reaction or airway crisis.

Prerequisites: SURG 111, 112, 113, 114, 121, 122.
Parallel: SURG 131, 132.
Open only to surgical technology students.
Surgical Practicum I (SURG 139): 1.5 Credits

Surgical Practicum I is a stepping stone for Surgical Practicum II, within Surgical Practicum I students will be introduced to the operating role in the role of a surgical technologist. They will start the process of achieving the 120 cases required for graduation and certification exam. Practicum is combining all learned knowledge and applying it in the operating room setting. It also builds confidence and reinforces for students all that they have learned throughout this program.

Prerequisites: SURG 111, 112, 113, 114, 121, 122.
Parallel: SURG 131, 132, 133.
Open only to surgical technology students.

Year 2: Spring Semester Courses

Capstone (SURG 211): 5.0 Credits

This course is a cumulative course which reviews all topics that have been taught throughout the program. This course focuses on good test taking skills and mock certifying exams to prepare students for the certification exam. This course also brings together all information learned to fully prepare students for their careers ahead of them. With this course we also focus on resume building, interview processes and professionalism.

Prerequisites: SURG 111, 112, 113, 114, 121, 122, 131, 132, 133.
Parallel: SURG 211.
Open only to surgical technology students.
Surgical Practicum (SURG 219): 10.5 Credits

Surgical Practicum II is a rigorous course which is spent fully in the operating room. Practicum is combining all learned knowledge and applying it in the operating room setting. This course focuses on helping the students obtain all the required cases for the certification exam and builds confidence and reinforce for students all that they have learned throughout this program.

Prerequisites: SURG 111, 112, 113, 114, 121, 122, 131, 132, 133, 139.
Parallel: SURG 211.
Open only to surgical technology students.