M ONTGOMERY C OLLEGE MAKE IT HAPPEN! Surgical Technology Program Surgical Technologist Certified Surgical Technologist Certified First Assistant Surgical Technologist are in demand and are eligible for immediate employment in hospitals, operating rooms, physician offices, surgery centers, labor and delivery, and free standing minor surgery facilities. You are in Demand/Immediate Employment MONTGOMERY COLLEGE MAKE IT HAPPE N AAS Degree One Year Certificate Option www.montgomerycollege.org/ surgtech/! Dynamic and Challenging Environment Career Advancement Eligible for National Certification Upon Completion Of The Program Transfer Options Local and Out-of-State Phone: 240-567-5541 Fax: 2401-567-5558 Email: Patrice.Whiting@ montgomerycollege.edu
Dear Prospective Student: Thank you for your interest in the Surgical Technology program. We are happy to assist you in your inquiries into our SG program. We have enclosed some information that we think will be helpful in answering your questions about this profession and about the application process to our program. I encourage you to review the Admission Process specifically for the Health Science Programs in the College Catalog within the Admissions section and to read over the material enclosed. Once you have had a chance to review the enclosed materials, we would like to meet you at one of our SG Information Sessions. These information sessions are held once a month. Please see the enclosed schedule for dates and times. Because there are so many people interested in information about our program, we have developed these information sessions for all perspective students to attend. If needed, you may make an individual appointment after attending one of the scheduled information sessions. If you are applying from out of state and are unable to attend an information session, you may contact me via e-mail at; patrice.whiting@montgomerycollege.edu, I will be happy to answer your questions. Keep in mind that March 1 st of each year is the deadline for applying for the A.A.S. Degree and 2 year/ one year Certificate program. Classes begin in May for both programs. Remember you may take any of the general education courses required for this program without being accepted into the program. If you need help with planning out our academic courses, please contact a counselor on the Takoma Park Campus. The counseling department number is (240) 567-1501. I hope this packet has been helpful. Please review the enclosed "SG Application Process", and the dates and times for the next available SG Information Session. Good Luck in your endeavors, we look forward to meeting you at an upcoming Information Session. For further information on our program please visit our Web Page www.montgomerycollege.edu/surgtech. With Best Regards, Patrice Upshaw Whiting Patrice (Upshaw) Whiting RN, MSN Program Coordinator Surgical Technology 2
SG Admissions Admissions Procedure: NEW CLASSES BEGIN IN MAY Criteria for Admission: Minimum required courses to apply to the program: 1. EN 101 2. BI 107 3. MA 110 assessment level or prior completion of MA 100 or higher Completion of the Application Procedure as outlined above. Attend a Surgical Technology Information Session prior to the application deadline, March 1st. Must complete EN 101 and MA Foundation prior to beginning SG courses. These courses are prerequisites to entering May SG courses. This is a limited enrollment program, therefore, admission will be based on Grade Point Average (GPA) and meeting the required eligibility requirements. Grade Point Average (2.5 or higher). NOTE: GPA must be from an American high school or college. All candidates seeking admission to the Surgical Technology Program must meet the following admission requirements in order to be admitted to the program. Must be eligible for admission to Montgomery College. (Submit a separate Montgomery College admission application if not submitted previously.) Must meet curriculum admission criteria, which have been approved in advance by the Campus Provost for the Surgical Technology curriculum. Must meet minimum grade point average of 2.5 out of 4.0 scale for consideration**. Must meet all legal requirements and/or standards impose by recognized professional societies and by the institution or agency where the clinical practice is to occur. Must understand that participation in certain professional courses (e.g., those involving hospital practice) may require the passing of appropriate health examinations (i.e., TB test) and a criminal background check. Candidates must apply by March 1 of each year in order to receive consideration for admission into this limited enrollment curriculum. No decisions regarding acceptance will be made, or notification given, to applicants prior to early spring. **Admissions Priority First, Candidates' backgrounds are reviewed for appropriate academic preparation (or if applicable assessment testing). Next, candidates' grade point averages are calculated based on the most recent 24 college credits earned. It is important that official transcripts from all colleges attended be on file prior to the March 1 deadline. 3
Associates of Arts Sciences Degree and Certificate Program Application Process This information has been developed to summarize the application and admission procedure outlined in the Montgomery College Catalog. Please refer to the College Catalog for more specific information. Application Procedures: Submit the following information to the Admissions Office/Takoma Park Campus Certificate/A.A.S. Degree PRIOR to March 1st. Montgomery College Application and a one time fee (unless you have previously attended Montgomery College). Surgical Technology (Health Science Application) The following documents are required: 1. High school transcript (if you have not attended college). 2. Official transcripts from each and every college previously attended. 3. English and Math placement test results (unless EN 101 and a MA Foundation course or equivalent have been completed). Program Information: Students are admitted to the Degree and Certificate programs once a year for admittance in May. Eighteen (18) students will be accepted to the program. The SG Program offers the AAS Degree and a Certificate. The Certificate may be earned in one year. Two semesters of clinical education is mandatory for both program options. Sixty-eight (68) credits are required for graduation in Surgical Technology with an A.A.S. Degree and forty-two (42) credits are required for graduation with a Certificate Degree. Any course designated for the SG curriculum, other than an (SG) course, may be taken prior to acceptance into the SG Degree program, and is strongly encouraged. Once you have been accepted into the program (SG) courses MUST be taken in the sequence they are offered. A student must earn a "C" or better in each (SG) course in order to continue in the program. 4
Surgical Technologist What is a surgical technologist? Surgical technologists are allied health professionals, who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients. Surgical technologists work under the supervision of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures, ensuring that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Surgical technologists possess expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. How does this program prepare me for a career? Technologists may obtain voluntary professional certification from the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist after graduating from the program and passing a national certification examination. Technologists may then use the designation certified surgical technologist, or CST. What professions can I expect to enter after completing this program? Surgical technologists are employed by hospitals, mainly in operating and delivery rooms. Others are employed in clinics and surgical centers, and in the offices of physicians and dentists who perform outpatient surgery. Career rewards include opportunities for diversity and advancement. What about starting salary? The median annual earnings of surgical technologists is approximately $32,490- $46,910. What is the employment outlook for the next decade? Employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2018 as the volume of surgery increases. Hospitals will continue to be the primary employers of Surgical Technologist, although much faster employment growth is expected in offices and clinics of physicians. Job opportunities are best for technologist who are certified. What are the application procedures for the program? Admission to Montgomery College is open to all. Math, English, and Reading assessment tests are required prior to registering. (Some students may be exempt from assessment. Consult the Montgomery College Catalog for criteria.) Financial aid and scholarships are available to qualified candidates. Is this program accredited? Accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 5
Whom do I call for more information? www.montgomerycollege.org/surgtech/ Professor Patrice Whiting, Surgical Program Coordinator, at Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus 240-567-5541. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Surgical Technology A.A.S. (TP) Surgical Technology Certificate (TP): 228 Students who plan to major in surgical technology will be assigned the temporary major of pre-surgical technology, with POS code 590, until they are officially admitted to the surgical technology program. Students may take preparatory courses and courses that fulfill general education requirements during the waiting period. As an alternative to being assigned a temporary major, students waiting for admission to the surgical technology program may choose to major in general studies or any other open-admission program. The Office Of Admissions, Records, and Registration at Takoma Park will assign a matriculated code once students are admitted to the surgical technology program. This curriculum is designed for those who desire to move into surgical technology careers or who wish to upgrade present surgical skills in this area. The certificate curriculum is designed to accommodate the student to enter the workforce earlier and/or for those who have earned a degree in health science. Credits earned in the degree provide transfer options for students who choose to continue studies beyond the A.A.S. Admission requirements for both the A.A.S. and Certificate are the same. The curriculum, emphasizing both didactic and clinical experience, offers a broad base of surgical skills needed by those who function as integral members of the surgical team. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will receive the A.A.S. / Certificate and will be eligible to apply to take the certification examination given by the Association of Surgical Technologist. Surgical Technologists are eligible for employment in hospitals, operating rooms, physicians' offices, surgery centers, labor and delivery, and freestanding minor surgery facilities. Each of the surgical technology courses builds upon materials offered in the previous course. Students must meet prerequisites to the first semester courses. A grade of C or better in each surgical technology course must be achieved. For information regarding the program and admissions, please contact the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration at the Takoma Park Campus, 240-567-1501, or the program department. 6
AAS Degree curriculum outline: www.montgomerycollege.edu/surgtech Prerequisite Courses EN 101 Techniques of Reading & Writing 3 MA Math Foundation 3 Beginning in May SG 100 Introduction to Surgical Technology 4 First Semester ST 101 Surgical Technologist I 6 *BI 204 Human Anatomy & Physiology 4 HI 128/129 Med Term I, II 4 Second Semester ST 102 Surgical Technologist II 6 BI 205 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4 Summer Session BI 203 Microbiology 4 EN 102 or 109 English Foundation 3 Third Semester ST 201 Surgical Technologist III 6 PY 102 General Psychology I 3 ST 202 Clinical Practicum I 3 SP Foundation 3 Fourth Semester ST 211 Surgical Technologist IV 6 ST 221 Clinical Practicum II 3 Arts/Humanities 3 Total 68 *prerequisite BI 107 of biological science for BI 204 This curriculum requires didactic and clinical experience. It offers a basic general education courses as well as a broad knowledge base of surgical skills to perform as a integral member of the surgical team. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will receive the A.A.S. and will be eligible to apply to take the certification exam given by the Association of Surgical Technologists, Inc. Surgical Technologist are eligible for employment in hospitals, operating room, physicians 7
offices, surgery centers, labor and delivery, and free standing minor surgery facilities. The curriculum has been designed to provide a transfer option for students who elect to continue studies beyond the A.A.S. Each of the surgical technologist courses builds upon material offered in the previous course. Students must meet prerequisites to first semester courses. A grade of C or better in each surgical technologist course must be achieved. Admission requirements, including specific selection criteria, have been established by the Board of Trustees and are listed under Criteria for Priority Determination for Admission to Health Science Programs. Proposed effective date: August 2001 8
Montgomery College Surgical Technology Certificate Program This certificate curriculum is designed for those who desire to move into surgical technology careers or who wish to upgrade present surgical skills in this area to qualify for the national certification exam for Surgical Technologist. Credits earned in this curriculum provides transfer options for students who choose to continue studies toward the A.A.S. and beyond. The curriculum, emphasizing both didactic and clinical experience, offers a broad base of surgical skills needed by those who function as integral members of the surgical team. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will earn a Certificate and be eligible for employment in hospitals, operating rooms, physicians' offices, surgery centers, labor and delivery, and freestanding minor surgery facilities. Each of the surgical technology courses builds upon materials offered in the previous course. A grade of C or better in each surgical technology course must be achieved. For information regarding the program and admissions, please contact the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration at the Takoma Park Campus, 240-567-1501. Certificate One Year Schedule May SG 100 Introduction to Surgical Technology Fall Semester Spring Semester Mon-Wed-Fri SG 202 (Clinical Practicum I) Mon-Wed-Fri (Clinical Practicum II) Tuesday SG 101 Tuesday SG 102 Thursday SG 201 Thursday SG 211 Surgical Technology Certificate Program (2-Year Certificate Schedule) Beginning in May SG 100 Introduction to Surgical Technology 4 First Semester SG 101 Surgical Technology I 6 BI 204 Human Anatomy & Physiology 4 Second Semester SG 102 Surgical Technology II 6 BI 205 Human Anatomy & Physiology 4 9
Third Semester SG 201 Surgical Technology III 6 SG 202 Clinical Practicum I 3 Fourth Semester SG 211 Surgical Technology IV 6 SG 212 Clinical Practicum II 3 Total 41 SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM SCHEDULE AAS Degree: First year students Surgical Technology (SG) classes are scheduled on Tuesdays only. Second year students SG didactic classes are scheduled on Thursdays only with Clinical Practicums scheduled Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in the second year. Non-SG classes are available Monday through Saturday on all three Montgomery College campuses and scheduled throughout the day and evening hours. See the current Schedule of Classes for these times and places. 10
TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR SURGICAL TECHNOLOGISTS A Surgical Technologist must be able to: 1. Bend, reach and lift instrument sets and positioning devices. 2. Assist with patient transport and positioning. 3. Stand for 90% of an 8 hour shift. 4. Perform fine motor skills and manual dexterity. 5. Grasp for long periods of time. 6. Respond to spoken works and other auditory sounds. 7. Depth perception within normal ranges. 8. Identify and differentiate colors (evaluate images distinguishing between black, white and shades of gray tones). 9. Appropriately prepare instruments and equipment. 10. Appropriately set up a safe environment for patient care including assuring proper sterilization and decontamination of instruments. 11. Fulfill the mental capacity of the job including problem solving, logic, communications, and numerical calculations. 12. Mental competency for decision making and judgment. 13. Lift and move patients and accessories. 14. Coordinate movement of equipment, such as portable machines, and accessories. 15. Utilize the skills needed to perform procedures with Universal Precautions when working with all types of patient. 16. Hear audible cues and warnings on imaging equipment and life support devices. 17. Utilize the sense of touch in order to provide patient care and position patients for radiographic and other examinations. 18. Utilize interpersonal skills to handle patients with physical or emotional trauma. 11
Surgical Technology Information Session Dates Health Science Center Room 7977 Georgia Avenue, Room #351 at 3:30 4:30 pm Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Fall 2009 Tuesday, 09/22 Tuesday, 10/20 Tuesday, 11/17 Tuesday, 12/08 Spring 2010 Tuesday, 01/26 Tuesday, 02/23 Tuesday, 03/23 Tuesday, 04/20 Tuesday, 05/11 AAS Degree 1 Year Certificate Option www.montgomerycollege.edu/surgtech/ Enrolled Students Outside of Montgomery County The Surgical Technology Program may or may not be included under Designated Statewide Programs at the time of your enrollment. If the program is listed you will be able to request the incounty tuition rate. Check the website below to see if you are eligible for this benefit. http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/admissions/studentforms/state.pdf 12