CLUSTER
Health Science Education
CONCENTRATION
Therapeutic Services
WEVIS CODE
HE0782
Surgical Technology
National Consortium for Health Science Education Health Care Standards
http://www.healthscienceconsortium.org/docs/therapeutic_svcs_pathway.pdf
National Board of Surgical Technician and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) http://nbstsa.org
International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management https://www.iahcsmm.org
Sample of reported job titles upon completion of the Allied Health Sciences cluster: Central Supply
Technician, Surgical Technician
INDUSTRY CREDENTIALS
Certified Central Supply Technician, Certified Surgical Technician, CPR/AED Healthcare Provider or
Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens Training: Preventing Disease Transmission
RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITE
HE0621
Introduction to Health Care
REQUIRED COURSES
Note: A minimum course completion score of 80% is required for progression to next course.
WVEIS Code
HE0651
HE0652
HE0653
HE0654
HE0655
HE0656
Course
Core Requirements for the Surgical Technician
Concepts and the Surgical Technician
Patient Care Concepts and Surgical Technology Clinical
Operating Room Policy and Surgical Procedures
Operating Room Policy and Surgical Procedures Clinical
Introduction to Central Supply and Employability Skills
SKILL SETS
Health Care Delivery System
Safety Practices
Environmental Safety
Patient/Client Customer Service
Professional Ethical and Legal Responsibilities
Leadership Skills
Communication
Health Maintenance
Technical Skills
Information Technology
Anatomy/Physiology
Math
Pharmacology
1
HE0651
Core Requirements for the Surgical Technician
Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
Academic Foundation
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
Performance Objectives
 anatomy and physiology.
 medical terminology.
Students will
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describe the organization of the body.
describe the chemical basis for life.
describe cells and tissues.
describe and structure and function of each of the following body systems.
o integumentary system
o skeletal system
o muscular system
o nervous system
o endocrine system
o cardiovascular system
o respiratory system
o lymphatic system
 immune system
o digestive system
 metabolism
o urinary system
o reproductive system
 male
 female
o special senses
 eyes
 ears
analyze blood as a system of the body.
identify and apply terms associated with the systems of the human body.
utilize medical terminology related to surgery.
apply medical terms in relation to the human body in health and disease.
apply medical terminology related to common diagnostic procedures and
pharmacology.
recognize, define and pronounce the terms associated with basic examination
procedures.
identify and describe the basic examination positions.
describe the four vital signs recorded for most patients.
recognize, define and pronounce terms associated with frequently performed
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
blood and urinalysis laboratory tests.
 recognize, define and pronounce terms associated with radiography and other
techniques.
 differentiate between projection and position in relation to radiography.
 describe basic radiographic projections.
 analyze unfamiliar medical terms using your knowledge of word parts.
Leadership Development
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
surgical technician program requirements.
Students will
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discuss philosophy, rules and regulations consistent with the technology center,
surgical technology career major.
apply safety principles to provide a safe physical environment and prevent
occupational hazards for self and others.
explore individual learning styles.
demonstrate knowledge of basic computer components and programs.
classify personal traits or attitudes desirable in a member of the healthcare team.
summarize basic professional standards of healthcare workers as they apply to
hygiene, dress, language, confidentiality and behavior (i.e. courtesy and selfintroductions).
apply employability skills in healthcare.
exemplify professional characteristics.
apply concepts of effective communication techniques.
engage in continuous self-assessment and career goal modification for personal
and professional growth.
compare careers within the health science career pathways (diagnostic services,
therapeutic services, health informatics, support services, or biotechnology
research and development).
recognize levels of education, credentialing requirements, employment
opportunities, workplace environments and career growth potential.
develop components of a personal portfolio.
demonstrate process for obtaining employment.
list areas of employment for a surgical technician.
identify various functions of professional organizations and relate their
significance to the field of surgical technology.
identify the roles and responsibilities of each team member in the operating
room.
explain the importance of credentialing in the field of surgical technology.
define legal and ethical responsibilities of the surgical technician.
define the scope of practice for the surgical technician.
3
HE0652
Concepts and the Surgical Technician
Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
Academic Foundation
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
Performance Objectives
 surgical instrumentation and equipment.
 materials management.
 essentials of surgical asepsis.
Students will
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identify the various types of materials used in the manufacturing of
instrumentation.
distinguish between basic categories of instrumentation.
explain how instruments are inspected for signs of improper functioning.
describe the care and handling of powered equipment.
differentiate between rigid and flexible endoscopes.
distinguish between the different types of endoscopes.
describe the care and handling of various endoscopes.
distinguish between manual and automated asset management systems.
describe the process involved in outsourcing equipment and technology.
identify agencies involved in regulating equipment management.
explain the process involved in product evaluation.
briefly describe principles utilized that aid in low acquisition costs.
identify various methods used for inventory management.
describe the process involved in materials distribution.
relate the principles of quality management as it applies to customer service.
discuss the principles of aseptic technique.
demonstrate the principles of aseptic technique in scrubbing, gowning and
gloving.
distinguish between sterilization, disinfection and asepsis.
identify the variables related to the sterilization process.
demonstrate decontamination and cleaning of instruments.
demonstrate various methods for packaging and loading items for sterilization.
select appropriate sterilization methods for specific items.
differentiate between the methods of monitoring the sterilization process.
demonstrate competency in the use of the flash sterilizer and the Steris sterilizer.
discuss the use of the steam autoclave and the Sterad sterilizer.
differentiate between concurrent and terminal disinfection.
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
Technical Skills
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
surgical technician practices.
Students will
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demonstrate knowledge of surgical conscience.
identify the roles of the surgical team members in the clinical and/or lab setting.
differentiate between types of sterilization and disinfection methods.
demonstrate central sterile processing techniques in the healthcare setting.
adhere to Standard Precautions in decontamination of instruments and
equipment.
adhere to Standard Precautions in decontamination of
instruments and equipment.
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HE0653
Patient Care Concepts and Surgical Technology Clinical
Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
Academic Foundation
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
Performance Objectives
 care of the surgical patient.
 pharmacology for the surgical technician.
 microbiology and wound healing.
Students will
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identify the purposes of pre-operative routine.
demonstrate skill in transporting patients safely including the use of wheelchair,
gurney, Isolette and hospital bed.
distinguish between acute and chronic conditions.
discuss characteristics of patients with special or complex needs.
identify basic surgical positions and their variations.
distinguish between types of equipment used in patient positioning.
identify antiseptic agents used for surgical skin preparation.
demonstrate surgical skin preparation used for common surgical sites.
list types of surgical specimens.
demonstrate care and handling of specimens on and off the sterile field.
demonstrate urinary catheterization.
demonstrate the ability to obtain baseline vital signs.
demonstrate the use of basic mathematic skills.
identify commonly used drugs in surgery, their actions, indications and side
effects.
describe different types of anesthesia monitoring devices utilized in order to
maintain homeostasis.
compare methods, agents and techniques of anesthesia administration.
discuss characteristics of iv solutions, blood replacements, blood components
and blood substitutes.
demonstrate the receiving and handling of pharmacological agents on the sterile
field.
explain anesthesia complications and interventions.
demonstrate ability to utilize the metric system of conversion.
identify classifications of microorganisms and the diseases specific to each.
identify structures and characteristics of different microorganisms.
 correlate the impact of microbiology in relationship to the practice of sterile
technique and infection control in the operative setting.
 analyze the various immune responses that occur in the body as defenses to
invasions by pathogens.
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 distinguish among the phases of wound healing.
 describe factors that present possible complications to wound healing processes.
 correlate the impact of the infection process to surgical procedures.
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discuss anatomy, physiology and pathology of each core procedure.
analyze the diagnostic and surgical interventions related to each core procedure.
demonstrate the selection of supplies, equipment and instrumentation for each
core procedure.
identify incisions used for each core procedure.
demonstrate the steps for each core procedure.
 discuss the post-operative complications of each core procedure.
Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
Technical Skills
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
surgical technician practice.
Students will
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demonstrate communication and interpersonal skills.
demonstrate knowledge of responsibility toward the learning experience.
demonstrate an understanding of surgical conscience and the role of the surgical
technician.
demonstrate the need for preoperative planning and individualized preparation
for each core surgical intervention.
demonstrate an understanding of the basic sciences related to core surgical
procedures.
demonstrate knowledge of specific skills necessary to function safely and
effectively as a surgical technician during core surgical procedures with
assistance.
demonstrate skills of accurate counts in core procedures with assistance.
demonstrate an understanding of legal and ethical responsibilities as applied to
the surgical technician's role.
employ consistent post-procedural decontamination and preparation for
subsequent patient care.
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HE0654
Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
Operating Room Policy and Surgical Procedures
Academic Foundation
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
the concepts related to each of the following surgical procedures: neurosurgery,
cardiothoracic, peripheral vascular, oral, maxilofacial, plastic and opthalmic
surgery.
 biomedical science related to surgery.
Students will
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discuss anatomy, physiology and pathology of each specialty procedure.
analyze the diagnostic and surgical interventions related to each specialty
procedure.
demonstrate the selection of supplies, equipment and instrumentation for each
specialty procedure.
identify incisions used for each specialty procedure.
demonstrate the steps for each specialty procedure.
discuss the post-operative complications of each specialty procedure.
define electricity.
identify terms relating to electricity and electrical flow.
identify the basic principle of electrical flow.
identify the types of electrical current.
identify the components of an electrical receptacle.
define the terms related to physics.
apply the principles of physics to the safe patient care in the operating room.
discuss the basic concepts related to robotics.
describe the concepts of geometry that are used in the design of surgical robots.
identify the basic mechanical components of the robotic system.
list the clinical applications of robotics in the operating room.
apply the principles of robotics to safe patient care in the operating room.
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
Technical Skills
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
surgical technician practicum requirements.
Students will
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demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills.
demonstrate independence and responsibility for learning.
differentiate roles and responsibilities within the surgical technician’s scope of
practice.
demonstrate pre-operative planning and individualized preparation for surgical
intervention during specialty procedures.
demonstrate an understanding of the basic sciences related to specialty surgical
procedures.
demonstrate knowledge of the specific skills necessary during specialty
procedures with proficiency.
demonstrate documentation of accurate counts in specialty procedures with
proficiency.
adhere to legal and ethical responsibilities as applied to the surgical technician’s
role.
employ consistent post-procedural decontamination and preparation for
subsequent patient care.
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HE0655
Operating Room Policy and Surgical Procedures Clinical
Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
Technical Skills
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
Performance Objectives
 pre-operative preparation.
 intra-operative procedures.
 post-operative procedures.
 administrative and personnel duties.
 equipment sterilization and maintenance.
 critical thinking.
Students will
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identify surgeon’s preference card.
verify availability of surgery equipment(e.g., reserve equipment for surgery).
prepare and maintain operating room environment according to surgical
procedure (e.g., temperature, lights, suction and furniture).
review chart (identify and check laboratory results are within normal limits,
physician orders, operative consent, allergies, and history and physical).
obtain and apply additional equipment (e.g., pneumatic tourniquet, sequential
compression devices, thermoregulatory devices).
prepare skin for surgery. (e.g., hair removal, surgical preparation).
transfer patient to operating room table.
position the patient.
drape the patient.
obtain instruments, supplies, and equipment and verify readiness for surgery.
check package integrity of sterile supplies.
don personal protective equipment.
open sterile supplies while maintaining sterile technique.
perform surgical hand scrub, gowning and gloving.
assemble, inspect and set up sterile instruments and supplies for surgical
procedures.
gown and glove sterile team members.
verify identity of patient and operative site (time out).
obtain, assemble and test positioning equipment.
apply patient safety measures (e.g., safety strap, elbow protectors, gel pads).
apply patient monitoring devices.
consider the needs of special patient populations (e.g., pediatric, geriatric,
immune compromised).
provide intra-operative assistance under the direction of the surgeon.
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count instrument pre- and intra-operatively with circulator.
identify instruments by:
a) function.
b) application.
c) classification.
count sponges and sharps pre- and intra-operatively with circulator.
anticipate the steps of surgical procedures.
differentiate among the various methods and applications of hemostasis (e.g.,
mechanical, thermal, chemical).
specify methods of operative exposure.
place and secure retractors.
verify with surgeon the correct type and/or size of implantable devices.
pass instruments and supplies during surgery.
irrigate, suction, and sponge operative site.
monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout the procedure.
assemble, test and operate specialty equipment during surgery.
utilize the following specialty equipment:
o argon beam coagulators
o computer navigation systems
o thermal ablation
o robotic technology
o laser technology
o ultrasound technology (e.g., harmonic scalpel, phacoemulsification)
o endoscopic technology
verify and label medications and solutions at the sterile field.
mix medications and solutions at the sterile field.
calculate and report the amount of medications and solutions used.
monitor and maintain adequate supplies and solutions.
prepare drains, catheters and tubing for insertion.
verify, prepare and label specimen(s).
observe patient’s intra-operative status (e.g., monitor color of blood, onset of
blood loss, monitor position of patient during procedure).
apply thermal surgical techniques and safety precautions as directed by the
surgeon (e.g.,cryo-surgery, laser surgery, ESU).
prepare suture materials.
cut suture material as directed.
identify appropriate usage of sutures/needles and stapling devices.
provide assistance with internal stapling devices.
provide assistance with stapling skin tissue.
perform appropriate actions during an emergency.
initiate preventative and/or corrective actions in potentially hazardous situations.
perform video recording and/or still photography or procedures (e.g.,
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endoscopic).
connect and activate drains to suction apparatus.
prepare and apply sterile dressing.
assist in the placement of wound drainage systems.
apply casts, splints, braces and similar devices.
evaluate patient immediately post-operative and report findings (e.g., bleeding at
surgical site, hematoma).
transfer patient from operating table to stretcher.
remove drapes from patient.
perform room clean up after surgery.
dispose of contaminated waste and drapes after surgery in compliance with
Standard Precautions.
dispose of contaminated sharps after surgery in compliance with Standard
Precautions.
return unused supplies and equipment to designated location.
prepare instruments for decontamination and sterilization.
revise surgeon’s preference card as necessary.
utilize computer technology for:
o surgeon’s preference cards.
o interdepartmental communication.
o continuing education.
o research.
follow disaster plan protocol.
recognize safety and environmental hazards (e.g., fire, chemical spill, laser
smoke).
follow proper cost containment processes.
apply ethical and legal practices related to surgical patient care.
use interpersonal skills (e.g., listening, diplomacy, responsiveness) and group
dynamics.
understand the importance of cultural diversity.
operate sterilizing devices according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
troubleshoot equipment malfunctions.
decontaminate and clean instruments and equipment.
inspect, test and assemble instruments and equipment.
package and sterilize instruments and equipment.
perform quality assurance functions (e.g., biological monitoring of sterilization
methods).
maintain equipment records and logs (e.g., STERIS, attest, laser log, steam
sterilizers).
use appropriate medical terminology and abbreviations.
demonstrate knowledge of the following anatomical systems as they relate to the
surgical procedure:
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o cardiovascular
o digestive
o endocrine
o integumentary
o lymphatic
o muscular
o nervous
o peripheral vascular
o reproductive
o respiratory
o sensory
o skeletal
o urinary
demonstrate knowledge of human physiology as it relates to the surgical
procedure for the following systems:
o cardiovascular
o digestive
o endocrine
o integumentary
o lymphatic
o muscular
o nervous
o peripheral vascular
o reproductive
o respiratory
o sensory
o skeletal
o urinary
identify the following surgical pathologies:
o abnormal anatomy
o disease processes
o fractures
o malignancies
apply the following principles of surgical microbiology to operative practice:
o classification and pathogenesis of microorganisms
o factors influencing wound healing (e.g., condition of patient,
wound type)
o infection control procedures (e.g., aseptic technique)
o principles of tissue handling (e.g., Halsted principles, tissue manipulation
methods, traction/counter traction)
o stages of, and factors influencing wound healing
o surgical wound classification
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identify and address factors that can influence an infectious process.
apply the following principles of surgical pharmacology to operative practice:
o anesthesia related agents and medications
o blood and fluid replacement
o complications from drug interactions (e.g., malignant hyperthermia)
o methods of anesthesia administration (e.g., general, local, block)
o types, uses, action, and interactions of drugs and solutions (e.g.,
hemostatic agents, antibiotics, iv solutions)
o weights, measures, and conversions
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HE0656
Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
Introduction to Central Supply and Employability Skills
Academic Foundation
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
different departments of central services.
anatomy and physiology.
introduction to microbiology.
decontamination, disinfection and sterilization.
Students will
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explain the importance of registration and certification.
identify regulatory agencies and their functions involved in central service.
describe the organizational structure for central service staff.
identify responsibilities for central service employees.
identify legal and ethical responsibilities of the central service technician.
briefly describe future healthcare trends and explain ways central service
personnel can adapt to meet these changes.
identify basic communication skills needed to develop interpersonal
relationships with patients, families and team members.
describe the organization of the human body from the simplest to the most
complex.
explain the structure and function of each major system.
identify how each organ system aids the body in maintaining normal life
processes.
identify the various classifications of microorganisms.
identify the components of a cell.
distinguish between animal and plant cells.
describe how bacteria is classified according to shape, gram staining and growth
requirements.
describe the principles of microorganism in relation to the transmission of an
infection.
briefly describe how infection control practices are used to inhibit the growth of
microorganisms.
explain the process involved in decontamination of surgical instrumentation and
supplies.
distinguish between disinfection and sterilization.
differentiate between the three levels of disinfection.
identify common disinfectants utilizes in the central service area.
describe the process involved in preparing items for sterilization.
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
identify advantages and disadvantages of different types of sterilization
processes.
 identify variables related to the sterilization process and the materials to be
processed.
 identify process monitoring devices and methods.
Technical Skills
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
central service techniques.
materials used for decontamination and cleaning of instrumentation.
sterilization methods.
disinfection methods.
surgical conscience.
Students will
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demonstrate central sterile processing techniques in the healthcare setting.
demonstrate decontamination and cleaning of instrumentation.
demonstrate the ability to utilize various types of sterilization methods.
demonstrate knowledge of surgical conscience.
identify the roles of the surgical team members in the clinical and/or lab setting.
differentiate between types of sterilization and disinfection methods.
demonstrate central sterile processing techniques in the healthcare setting.
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