Surgical Technology, College of Health Sciences, UA Fort Smith

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Surgical Technology

General Information

At the Clinical Site The curriculum prepares students to function in the operating room by combining classroom and campus laboratory instruction with actual surgical suite experience. Successful completion of the program prepares the graduate to write the National Certification Examination to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). This program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology - a CAAHEP Recognized Committee on Accreditation, and sponsored by the American College of Surgeons. The national accrediting body recommends the A.A.S. as the entry degree.

CAAHEP
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354

Admission to the program is highly selective. Students should consult the Student Advisement Center concerning admission, progression, and graduation requirements. A grade of "C" or above is required in all the major courses for progression in the program. Any changes from the curriculum must be approved by the Dean of the College of Health Sciences. It is strongly recommended that the science courses be taken in the summer prior to starting the major courses in August. Enrollment in courses beginning with a SUR prefix requires admission to the Surgical Technology program.

Mission Statement

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, College of Health Sciences Surgical Technology Program was accredited in 1980 to serve the needs of the community and surrounding area. The Surgical Technology program and UA Fort Smith are committed to providing high quality education in the field of Surgical Technology and to provide the health care consumer with highly competent and motivated practitioners.

Program Goals

To prepare students to function in a professional, caring, and ethical manner when providing patient care.
To prepare students to function as a part of the health care profession.
To prepare students to successfully complete the Surgical Technologist National Certifying Examination conducted by the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist.
To provide the community with professional, competent, desirable employees as entry-level Surgical Technologists.
To recruit and retain quality students who are enthusiastic and motivated to become professional, competent Surgical Technologists.

Admission Criteria and Application Process

Admission to the UA Fort Smith Surgical Technology program is selective. In order to be considered for admission to the program, students must meet the following criteria:

Complete admission requirements to enter UA Fort Smith.
Submit a copy of a high school diploma or GED.
Submit official transcripts from any college(s) previously attended.
Meet minimum skill levels in reading and math according to one of the following criteria:
- Provide recent (within the last four years) ACT or COMPASS scores indicating no reading required and placement into MATH 0023 Beginning Algebra or higher.
- Provide college transcript(s) indicating acceptable reading and math placement.
Take the Revised Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) Health Occupations Apptitude Examination.
Submit a Student Health Statement/Medical Release Form indicating good physical and mental health.

Surgical Technology Information Packet

Selection Process

Since the Surgical Technology Program usually has more applicants than positions available, admission is competitive. Students who meet the minimum admission criteria are eligible to apply to the Surgical Technology Program. In order to complete the application process, eligible students must schedule an appointment with the Coordinator of Academic Support Services for the College of Health Sciences during the 30 days prior to the program deadline but after PSB scores are received. The program application will be completed at this appointment and the Student Health Statement/Medical Release Form will be provided to each applicant. Students accepted into the program must complete this form and have a medical release completed by a health care provider prior to the beginning of the program.

Application deadline

April 15 for the class beginning in the fall

Ranking System

Selection is based on the following system:

The Revised PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Exam	40 percent
Personal Interview	25 percent
Cumulative GPA	10 percent
Quality Points (prescribed courses)	25 percent

In the event applicants have identical total scores, priority will be given to the highest cumulative grade point average in all college course work, including transfer work and excluding zero level developmental courses.

MEETING THE MINIMUM CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION OR TAKING COURSES ON THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY DEGREE PLAN DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMISSION TO THE PR0GRAM. Students not admitted must reapply to be considered for another semester. Students chosen as alternates are not guaranteed a position in the next class.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit

If a student has received college credit through CLEP for a course, the student will be given quality points equivalent to a grade of �B� for ranking purposes.

Revised PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Exam

This test will be given at least 5 times a year. Test information will be available the first week of each semester in the Student Advisement Center CC219, the Testing Center CC205 and on the College of Health Sciences webpage.

Pay the UA Fort Smith cashier the $15.00 non-refundable examination fee and obtain a receipt. Take the receipt to the Testing Center and sign up for desired test date. NOTE: Test dates may be changed within the same testing cycle if space is available.
Tests are available on a first-come, first-serve basis until the maximum number is reached. Students may register for a test until the working day before the test unless the maximum number has already been reached.
If a student does not test during the test cycle, the test fee will not be refunded and the receipt will not be held for the next testing cycle.

Students may take the test once per year, with the most recent score being used for ranking purposes. Scores may be used for two years following the date of examination.

Pre-entrance Exam Dates

2007-2008 Exam Dates & Registration Form

Degree Requirements

View the degree requirements for the AAS in Surgical Technology.

Student Health Statement/Medical Release Form

Students accepted into the Surgical Technology program will be required to provide documentation of good physical and mental health by completion of the Student Health Statement/Medical Release Form . Documentation of all health problems and a medical release is required. Copies of immunization records and a valid CPR certification must be submitted to the Coordinator of Academic Support Services for the College Health Sciences or Director of Surgical Technology by the first day of class. No student will be allowed to attend a clinical rotation without the required health data records on file in the program director's office.

Student Health Statement/Medical Release Form

Progression and Graduation

Progression

In order to continue in the program, a student must have 75 percent in clinical performance and 75 percent average on examinations in each course. A student who drops for academic or other reasons may apply for readmission if in compliance with the UA Fort Smith Student Academic Progress Policy as outlined in the course catalog. However, the student is not guaranteed a position. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, a student is limited to one reenrollment into the program.

A grade of �C� or better is required in all science courses. Science courses taken more than five years prior to entering the program will be evaluated on an individual basis by the program director and/or college dean. See your advisor for more information and to request a science course evaluation.

Graduation

Upon successful completion of the program with a grade point average of 2.0 or better, the student must meet with their program advisor to complete the graduation application. The student is responsible for providing the Records Office with evidence that the criteria for graduation have been met one month prior to graduation.

Clinical Education

The Surgical Technology Program places a strong emphasis on clinical education. The clinical education component provides students with the opportunity to practice skills necessary to become a competent surgical technologist. Students accepted into the Surgical Technology Program should expect a minimum of 20 hours per week in clinical education each semester. Over the course of the 2 semesters of the program, students will follow a structured rotation schedule through each of the 3 clinical affiliates. The UA Fort Smith Surgical Technology Program's clinical sites are listed below.

Summitt Medical Center - Van Buren, AR

Sparks Regional Medical Center - Ft. Smith, AR

St. Edward Mercy Medical Center - Ft. Smith, AR

Executive Park Surgery Center

River Valley Musculoskeletal Center

Expenses

In addition to the UA Fort Smith tuition and fees per credit hour, Surgical Technology students will incur the following expenses:

All students enrolled in the College of Health Sciences will be assessed a laboratory fee of $25 per clinical course to cover the cost of medical liability insurance and a radiation monitoring program.

The cost of textbooks will vary each semester. The largest expense will occur in the first semester since those books will be used throughout the program. The estimated cost for books for the first semester is between $250 and $300.

Students are required to purchase uniforms to be worn in clinical education. At least 1 set of uniforms should be purchased at the beginning of the first semester. Specific details concerning uniforms will be discussed during the first day of class. The estimated cost for one set (top and pants) is $30. Appropriate shoes will be an additional expense. Total cost for uniforms and shoes is estimated at $110.

Total Estimated Cost of Attendance
In State	$8,055
Out-of-State	$18,520

Estimated cost for the 2006-2007 school year - costs may change without notice and additional costs may be incurred throughout the program's entirety.

Surgical Technology Student Association

GOALS:

National - To advocate for Surgical Technology students in order to enhance the role of the student, the health of the public in its medical community, and education environments in the community through education, action, and service.

Local
- To present the Surgical Technology student as a highly skilled student, conducting themselves in a professional manner, caring for the client as a person, and representing the university in a positive manner.
- To provide service to the community.
- To accomplish educational goals and engage life as a life-long learner.

*Students who declare Surgical Technology as a major may join as an associate member while taking pre-requisite courses.

Career Opportunities

Students in Lab

Private Technologists for Surgeons
Main Operating Rooms in Acute Care Hospitals
Ambulatory Surgery Suites
Traveling Surgical Technologists
Medical Sales Representative
Materials/Equipment Manager
Organ and Tissue Procurement Technician
Central Service Manager
Veterinarian Surgical Assistant

Profession

The curriculum of the UA Fort Smith�s Surgical Technology program was developed to ensure students are well trained and workplace ready for their chosen career. The program meets all accreditation standards of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

A surgical technologist (ST) is an allied health professional who works as part of the surgical team to ensure that the operative procedure is conducted under optimal conditions. Surgical team members function in two capacities-nonsterile and sterile. The nonsterile team members are the circulator and the anesthesia provider. In certain situations, other personnel, such as the radiology technologist or pathologist, may also be present. The sterile team members are the surgeon, the surgical assistant, and the surgical technologist in the scrub role (STSR). Role descriptions for the surgical team members are available in the brochure published by the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) entitled, "Certified Surgical Technologists are vital members of the operating room team." (www.ast.org)

Professional competence requires that Surgical Technologists apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology, positioning, aseptic technique, organization, scope of practice, and patient care in the performance of their duties. They must also be able to communicate effectively with patients and other health professionals. Duties may include but are not limited to:

Certified Surgical Technologist in the scrub role:

Helps prepare the room and arrange supplies and instruments
Opens packs and instruments sets
Performs a surgical scrub
Dons gown and gloves and works within the sterile field
Prepares instruments and passes them during the procedure
Maintains the sterile field
Assists with other intraoperative tasks

Certified Surgical Technologist in the circulator role:

Helps position the patient
Performs preoperative skin preparation
Communicates between sterile and nonsterile areas
Opens sterile supplies onto the sterile field during the procedure
Assists with other tasks not requiring action within the sterile field

Employment Characteristics

Students in Lab It is important to consider potential job oppotunities when planning a career. According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook-http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos106.htm, the demand for surgical technologists is expected to increase as the number of surgical procedures grows. In 2002, there were approximately 72,000 surgical technologists. The employment rate of surgical technologists is expected to grow faster than average (an increase of 21%-35%) through the year 2012. The volume of surgical procedures is expected to increase, as the population grows and ages. The over-50 population, entering retirement age (baby-boom generation) will account for a large portion of the general population. Older people require more surgical procedures. Technological advances, such as fiber optics and laser technology, will also permit new surgical procedures to be performed.

Hospitals are the primary employers of surgical technologists. However, fast employement growth is expected in amublator surgical centers, outpatient care centers and physician's offices.

Rapid advances in medical technology will bring dramatic changes to the field of surgical technology. The operating rooms of the future will incorportate computers, lasers, fiberoptics, electronics and robotics to carry out routine patient care. The surgical technologist must be prepared to meet these advanced challenges (www.ast.org).

Other Resources

The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
6 West Dry Creek Circle, Ste. 100
Littleton, Colorado 80120
Toll Free: 1-800-707-0057
Fax: 303-325-2536

Association of Surgical Technologists
6 West Dry Creek Circle
Littleton, Colorado 80120
Toll Free: 1-800-637-7433
Phone: 303-694-9130
Fax: 303-694-9169

Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology
6 West Dry Creek Circle, Ste. 210
Littleton, Colorado 80120
Phone: 303-694-9262
Fax: 303-741-3655

The Higher Learning Commission
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504
Toll Free: 1-800-621-7440
Phone: 312-263-0456
Fax: 312-263-7462

Online Resources

Contact Information

Sydney Fulbright, MSN, CNOR, RN, Program Director, 479-788-7855, sfulbrig@uafortsmith.edu
Student Advisement 479-788-7400, advise@uafortsmith.edu.

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