Surgical Technology, Surgical Technology, UA Fort Smith

UA Fort Smith > Academics and Degrees > Colleges > College of Health Sciences > Surgical Technology

Surgical Technology

General Information

[IMAGE: 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 Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) - 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.

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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.

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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.

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Career Opportunities

[IMAGE: 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

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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

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Employment Characteristics

[IMAGE: Students in Lab] It is important to consider potential job opportunities 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 2006, there were approximately 86,000 surgical technologists. The employment rate of surgical technologists is expected to grow faster than average (an increase of 24%) through the year 2016. 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 employment growth is expected in ambulatory 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 incorporate computers, lasers, fiber optics, electronics and robotics to carry out routine patient care. The surgical technologist must be prepared to meet these advanced challenges (www.ast.org).

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Contact Information

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

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Surgical Technology Student Association

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