SURGICAL TECH
Associate of Applied Science
Center for Health Professions – Room 330C
Jessica Garza – Program Director
(210) 486-2655
Surgical Technology
About the Program – (Revised 4.1.13)
Once you have completed this program, you will be qualified to
assist the surgical team during surgery. You may work as a
surgical technologist in a wide variety of surgical facilities. As a
“scrub tech”, you will be part of a dynamic team, participating in
surgical procedures by creating a sterile field with instrumentation
and supplies, passing instruments to the surgeon, and assisting
the surgeon as needed.
Job opportunities in this field are excellent and continue to
improve with the growth of the medical community in the Bexar
County area.
As a Certified Surgical Technologist, you are
qualified to work anywhere in the United States as well as other
countries. Many technologists choose to pursue a career in
related areas.
A Certified Surgical Technologist may advance to become a
Certified First Assistant with additional studies and experience.
During your training you will learn theory, surgical procedures,
instrumentation and aseptic technique. Through a clinical
education course, participating in a minimum of 120 surgical
cases as required by accreditation, you will receive valuable
clinical experience in a variety of surgical facilities. The surgical
technology student will participate in a minimum of 30 general
surgery cases (20 of which must be in the first scrub role), and 90
specialty cases (60 of which must be in the first scrub role and
evenly distributed between a minimum of five surgical specialties)
to include Cardiothoracic, ENT, Eye, GU, Neuro, Ob-gyn,
Oral/maxillofacial, Orthopedics, Peripheral vascular, Plastics, and
Procurement/transplant. The criteria for the scrub roles are as
follows:
First Scrub Role: verify supplies and equipment needed for the
procedure, set up the sterile field with instruments, supplies,
equipment, medication(s), and solutions needed for the
procedure, perform all required counts with the circulating RN,
pass instruments and supplies to the sterile surgical team
members, and maintain sterile technique.
Second Scrub Role: has not met all of the criteria for first scrub
role, but actively participates in the following: sponging,
suctioning, cutting suture, holding retractors, and manipulating
endoscopic camera.
Observation Role: Do not meet the criteria for first or second
scrub role, but must be documented but are not counted towards
the 120 case requirement.
Upon successfully completing your course work, you will be
required to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and
Surgical Assisting. The professional association is the
Association of Surgical Technologists.
St. Philip’s Surgical Technology program is accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education
Programs (CAAHEP) in cooperation with the Accreditation
Review Committee for Surgical Technologist.
Address for CAAHEP is 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, Florida
33756. Their phone number is (727) 210-2350
Minimum GPA 2.5 is needed to apply.
Jobs Prepared For
Surgical Technologist in:
Ambulatory Surgery Centers-Outpatient
Cardiac Cath Lab
Gastro-Intestinal Diagnostic Centers
Hospital Surgical Departments
Obstetrical Departments-L & D
Private Scrub Tech for a Surgeon –
Dr.’s Office
Surgical Technology
Application deadline: May 31st – each year
Length of Studies:
Pre-requisites 2 semesters
Program: 1 year
Cost of Program:
Tuition Cost per semester: $850
Special Program Tuition Fee per semester: $700
Exam Fee: $240 (Spring semester only)
Books: $400-$500 Cost varies. (The same SRGT books
are used throughout the program.)
Entry Level Salaries
$14 - $16/hr.
$27,000-$35,000/yr.
Surgical Technology (2544)
Semester I (Prerequisites)
ENGL 1301 Composition I
MATH 1314 College Algebra
CHEM 1405 Introductory Chemistry I
BIOL 2401 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
Semester II (Prerequisites)
HITT 1305 Medical Terminology I
BIOL 2402 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
BIOL 2420 Microbiology for Allied Health Majors
Semester III
SRGT 1505
SRGT 1509
Intro to Surgical Technology
Fundamentals of Perioperative Concepts and
Techniques
SRGT 1261 Clinical - Surgical Technology/Technologist I
Select one course from the Humanities (40) Core (PHIL 2306 or
HUMA 1301 preferred)
Semester IV
SRGT 1541
SRGT 1461
SRGT 1244
PSYC 2301
Surgical Procedures I
Clinical - Surgical Technology/Technologist II
Technological Sciences for Surgical Technologist
General Psychology
Semester V
SRGT 1442
SRGT 1561
Surgical Procedures II
Clinical - Surgical Technology/Technologist III
A separate application is required.
Application information and forms can be found at our website:
http://www.alamo.edu/spc/surgical/
Please contact the Allied Health Department at 486-2050 or Center for
Health Professions Bldg., Suite #130.
Before being fully accepted into the program, students must pass a
background check and a drug screen. Students must complete mandatory
immunizations before beginning the clinical course at a surgical facility.
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Physical Stamina
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Must be able to stand for the majority of a
normal workday.
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Lift instrument sets weighing 20 to 25 lbs.
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Push or pull surgical equipment, furniture,
supply carts.
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Help transport and transfer patients to the OR
table.
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Help with positioning patients for surgical
procedures.
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Maintain balance while performing job
functions.
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Must be able move freely and feel comfortable
in confined areas
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Skin integrity must be intact, no skin
conditions with open wounds
Adaptive Ability
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STUDENT TECHNICAL STANDARDS
The following are essential job functions for any Surgical
Technologist as complied from observations of a wide variety of
job experiences. The Technical Standards must be met and
maintained throughout the length of the program. If the student
cannot met and maintain the following technical abilities, he or she
will be dropped from the program.
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Hearing Acuity
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Speaking Ability
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Distinguish between small objects within the
sterile field and outside of the sterile field.
Perform necessary procedures involving
assembling equipment, instruments, drills, and
other necessary items.
Be able to load needle holders with small
sutures and needles.
Read surgeon's preference cards and
instruction manuals.
Perform data entry tasks using computer
terminals.
Help during insertion of needles or catheters
into small anatomical structures.
Hearing must be sufficient to communicate
with others.
Hear and retain instruction from surgeon, OR
personnel, and instructor.
Hear and retain information to relay to others.
Hearing must be sufficient to answer
telephones and intercoms in the operating
room and department.
Speak clearly and loudly enough to be
understood by a person in the operating room
or on the phone and intercom.
Converse with surgeons, operating room
personnel, classmates, and instructor using
good communication skills.
Manual Dexterity
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Must be able to grasp and manipulate small
objects required to perform job function.
Complete required tasks/function under
stressful conditions.
Must be flexible to changes in assignments or
tasks.
Perform independently and safely with minimal
supervision
Interact appropriately with diverse
personalities.
Be able to multi-task and remain focused.
Must be able to remain calm under stressful
conditions.
Work Policy
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Visual Acuity
Must be able to hold and maintain
instrumentation in one position for long
periods of time.
Must be able to turn hands palm-up and palmdown.
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Student rotating through clinical facilities
cannot function as an employee nor receive
compensation.
Students must be under the direct
supervision of an experienced Surgical
Technician and not work independently
during a surgical procedure.
Graduation, certification, and licensure are separate mechanisms
and are the responsibility of the individual student.
The Alamo Community College District, including its affiliate colleges, does not
discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age or disability
with respect to access, employment, programs or services. Inquiries or complaints
concerning these matters should be brought to the attention of the EEO
representative EEO Official/Director of Human Resources
Human Resources Department
Title IX Coordinator
201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. A
(210) 485-0000
San Antonio, Texas 78204-1429
For any special accommodation issues or an alternate format, contact St. Philip’s
College Educational Support Services at 486-2020 or 486-2474.
This flyer is intended for use as a program guide. For official
program/curriculum requirements, refer to the college catalog
and the program director.
Steps for Applying
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Go to www.alamo.edu/spc.
Click on ACADEMICS in the blue box across the top.
Scroll down and click on Departments.
Scroll down to the middle of the page and under the “Allied
Health, Early Childhood and Kinesiology”. Click the link called
“Visit the Allied Health Department>>”.
Scroll down and under the blue “Programs Offered” select
Quick Reference.
Then Scroll down to “TEAS V Registration” and read the
directions on how to create a new account, register, pay and
schedule your HOBET V test. Study materials are also
available.
Program Application – select program of interest. From the
program website click on “Application and Selection Process”.
Click on the application link provided. There is a separate and
unique application form for each program.