Program Details

• Major Name: Surgical Technology
• Degree Program: Surgical Technology
• Degree Designation: AAS
• College / School: STEM

The Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology program prepares individuals for employment as an integral part of a surgical team. Surgical technologists work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses, and other surgical staff in delivering patient care and assuming appropriate responsibilities before, during and after surgery.

The program consists of classroom and laboratory instruction on campus and clinical instruction in clinic and hospital settings in the surrounding area.

Student Work Policy- All student activities associated with the curriculum, especially while students are completing clinical rotations, will be educational in nature. Students will not be substituted for hired staff personnel within the clinical institution, in the capacity of a surgical technologist.

Accreditation

The Surgical Technology Program at West Virginia University Potomac State College has a site visit scheduled for pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org). This step in the process is neither a status of accreditation nor a guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 113th St. N. #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
(727) 210-2350 - Phone
(727) 210-2354 - Fax
www.caahep.org

Admission Requirements

A separate admission application is currently not required to major in surgical technology. The surgical technology course sequence requires 4 semesters to complete and starts each fall. Students who start in the spring or summer term will not be able to begin the sequence until the following fall semester.

1. If applicable, an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher for any college credits is required. This GPA is a combination of any transfer credit from outside institutions as well as all courses taken at WVU PSC.
2. An overall composite score of 18 or above on the ACT or an overall composite score of 960 (ERW + M) or above on the SAT is required.
3. In lieu of an ACT or SAT score, ATI TEAS test scores can be used to satisfy the minimum requirements. A minimum of 50% in each category (Math, Science, English & Language Usage and Reading) is required. For testing information, please go to https://www.atitesting.com/.
4. Ten spots are available. Applicants with the highest scores in the above areas will be selected if more qualified applications are received than spots are available.

The following are also required before starting clinicals:

1. Vaccination Records (full Covid-19, annual influenza when in season, PPD or IGRA within the last 30 days, current Tdap, MMR titer (or evidence of two immunizations) and Varicella titer (history to include chickenpox or vaccination)
2. Background Check
3. Drug Screen

Additional Program Costs

Students in the Surgical Technology program will be assessed a $200 program fee per semester to assist with the additional costs specific to the program. In addition, students are required to purchase one Surgical Tech kit when they enter the program that they will keep upon completion of the program.

Handbooks

• 2023-2024 Surgical Technology Handbook (PDF)
• 2024-2025 Surgical Technology Handbook (PDF)

Career Outcomes

Surgical technologists work in hospitals to assist in the operating room.

Program Goals / Outcomes

The AAS degree in surgical technology program goals are to prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession. Technologists will meet or exceed the current standards as outlined by the Accreditation Review Council for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate the following:

1. Collaborate professionally with patients, their significant others and with all members of the healthcare team (Affective).
2. Promote interest, pride, and concern in the well-being of the community and its citizens through their contributions as surgical technologists (Cognitive, Affective, Psychomotor).
3. Practice clear effective communication skills, both written and non-written (Psychomotor, Affective).
4. Facilitate a teamwork atmosphere, that is responsive to and centers on the surgical patient’s needs (Cognitive, Affective, Psychomotor).
5. Examine and incorporate the Association of Surgical Technologist scope of practice guidelines, rules, regulations, and ethical standards in the practice of surgical technology (Cognitive, Affective).
6. Demonstrate proficiency of learned scientific principles and integrate these concepts in the practice of safe competent care for the consumer (Cognitive, Affective, Psychomotor).
7. Prepare competent entry–level surgical technologist in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.
8. Support professional certification and life-long learning through continuing education to improve knowledge and skills performance (Cognitive, Affective, Psychomotor).

Surgical Rotation Case Requirements

To prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

Students must complete a minimum of 120 cases as delineated below:

• A minimum of 30 cases in General Surgery, 20 must be performed in the First Scrub Role. The remaining 10 cases may be performed in either the First or Second Scrub Role.
• A minimum of 90 cases in various surgical specialties, excluding General Surgery, 60 must be performed in the First Scrub Role. The additional 30 cases may be performed in either the First or Second Scrub Role.
• A minimum of 60 surgical specialty cases must be performed in the First Scrub Role and distributed amongst a minimum of four surgical specialties.
  • A minimum of 10 cases in the First Scrub Role must be completed in each of the required minimum of four surgical specialties (40 cases total required).
  • The additional 20 cases in the First Scrub Role may be distributed amongst any one surgical specialty or multiple surgical specialties.
  • The remaining 30 surgical specialty cases may be performed in any surgical specialty either in the First or Second Scrub Role.
• Optional surgical specialties may also be available.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete all required courses and have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.