Surgical Technology, AAS

Work as a member of the healthcare team alongside physicians, surgeons, registered nurses and other healthcare workers delivering patient care before, during, and after surgery.

Surgical Technologist (CST)

You are paged to the operating room. An emergency case is in route. You switch to high gear and prepare the OR. You have the autoclaved scalpels, scissors, clamps and the additional tools for this surgery on the table. Gowned and gloved, you are prepared as the patient is pushed through the door. Pulling the sterile drapes around the patient, your senses heighten. Your skills and performance may make the difference between this person’s life or death. Continually anticipating unexpected scenarios, you hand the surgeon the correct instruments and retract the incision site to give the surgeon a better view. Your job will not end until all instruments and sponges are accounted for. You apply the correct bandages to the patient and assure that the OR is in order and ready for your next patient.

The AAS in Surgical Technology at Collin College is a 12-month program (Summer, Fall, Spring) that will prepare the student for entry-level as a surgical technologist. The course of study consists of approved courses from the Workforce Education Course Manual of Texas. Upon completion of the program, the student is qualified to take the national certification examination for surgical technologists. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs accredits our program allowing graduates to become eligible for the Certified Surgical Technologist, CST credential

Central Sterile Processing

The certificate in Central Sterile Processing is a two-semester, special admission program. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM).

Surgical Assisting (CSFA)

Surgical Technologists who hold their Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential, an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Healthcare, and have two years of
recent clinical experience as a Surgical Technologist, may apply for the Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) Surgical Assisting program. Graduates of this program are entitled to an Advanced Technical Certificate Surgical Assisting and upon program accreditation are eligible to sit for the national Certified Surgical First Assist (CSFA) certification examination administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Those students passing the certification exam are allowed to use the title Certified Surgical First Assist (CSFA).

Licensure Notice: Students who have been involved with the criminal system, please be advised that your background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the department chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.

Students planning to transfer to a college or university should check with Collin College academic advisors. Also check the degree requirement of the intended transfer college prior to beginning this program to verify course degree applicability.

Admission to the programs is selective and competitive. Please see each program’s specific qualifications on their department websites.

SPECIAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR CENTRAL STERILE PROCESSING AND SURGICAL TECHNOLGY PROGRAMS:

• Submit an application for admission to Collin College Admissions department
• Provide proof of high school graduation or GED
• Submit program application to the Health Sciences Division Office
• Complete all immunizations required by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS)*
• Current Basic Life Support Certification provided by the American Heart Association.
• Show proof of health insurance.
• Complete the health exam with a satisfactory result exam prior to application deadline.
• Consent to criminal background check (note that negative results may compromise clinical placement)
• Consent to drug screening (note that negative results may compromise clinical placement)

* It is important to note that one of the required vaccinations, Hepatitis B, consists of a three dose series, which can take up to 7 months to complete. All immunizations must be complete before the first clinical day.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CENTRAL STERILE PROCESSING PROGRAM

• Submit a handwritten one- to two-page essay that discusses why you have chosen Central Sterile Processing as a profession and why attendance at Collin College is desired
• Request two letters of reference from employers and/or teachers (not friends or family) that can attest to your character and aptitude in a healthcare career. These letters should be directly mailed by whomever writes them to: Collin College - Health Sciences Division, Attn: Director of Central Sterile Processing Program, 2200 West University Drive, McKinney, Texas 75071

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

• Overall GPA of 2.5 or higher from all college courses completed and applicable to the surgical technology degree plan
• Submit official copies of all college transcripts to both Collin College and to the Surgical Technology Department
• Completion of prerequisites. If courses are being completed during the Spring preceding admission, please denote on application
• Students must be prepared to enter college-level mathematics by either completion of MATH 0405 or by placement at the MATH 1314 College Algebra level
• Submit a handwritten one- to two-page essay that discusses why you have chosen Surgical Technology as a profession
• Request two letters of reference from employers and/or teachers (not friends or family) that can attest to your character and aptitude in a healthcare career. These letters should be directly mailed by whomever writes them to: Collin College - Health Sciences Division, Attn: Director of Surgical Technology Program, 2200 West University Drive, McKinney, Texas 75071

SELECTIVE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SURGICAL ASSISTING PROGRAM

• Submit an application for admission to Collin College Admissions department
• Submit program application to the Surgical Assisting Program Coordinator’s Office - Collin College - Health Sciences Division, Attn: Coordinator of Surgical Assisting Program, 2200 West University Drive, H225A, McKinney, Texas 75071
• Complete all immunizations required by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS)*
• Current Basic Life Support Certification provided by the American Heart Association.
• Show proof of health insurance.
• Consent to criminal background check (note that negative results may compromise clinical placement)
• Consent to drug screening (note that negative results may compromise clinical placement)

* It is important to note that one of the required vaccinations, Hepatitis B, consists of a three dose series, which can take up to 7 months to complete. All immunizations must be complete before the first clinical day.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SURGICAL ASSISTING PROGRAM

• Current Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
• Associate degree or higher (see *Note below)
• Two years recent experience as a clinical Surgical Technologist
• Submit official copies of all college transcripts denoting degrees earned to both Collin College and to the Surgical Assisting Department
• Overall GPA of 2.5 or higher from all college degrees completed
• Submit a handwritten, well-developed, one- to two-page essay discussing why you have chosen Surgical Assisting as a career choice and why attendance at the Collin College program is desired. Submit this essay with your application form by mail or in person to: Collin College - Health Sciences Division, Attn: Coordinator of Surgical Assisting Program, 2200 West University Drive, H225A, McKinney, Texas 75071.
• Respond via email to the three question survey that will be emailed to you upon receipt of your program application to the program.
• Request two letters of reference from employers and/or professors (not friends or family) that can attest to your character and aptitude in a healthcare career. These letters should be directly mailed by whomever writes them to: Collin College - Health Sciences Division, Attn: Coordinator of Surgical Assisting Program, 2200 West University Drive, H225A, McKinney, Texas 75071 or emailed to the Program Coordinator at drsmith@collin.edu.

*Note: A Bridge Opportunity is available for Surgical Assisting Program candidates who are Certified Surgical Technologists (CST), have a minimum of two years’ recent experience, but do not possess an associate degree or higher. Contact the Surgical Assisting Program Coordinator at drsmith@collin.edu for more information.

Health Insurance - All Central Sterile, Surgical Technology, and Surgical Assisting students are required to show proof of health insurance prior to starting clinical rotations each semester. Additionally, Surgical Assisting students are required to show proof of malpractice insurance prior to starting clinical rotations each semester.

NOTE: Students interested in admission to the program for Summer semester should see their physician and begin immunizations four (4) months prior to the beginning of the semester.

FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES/CORE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS STATEMENT

After initial acceptance to this program, all students are required to meet specific functional abilities, with or without accommodations, for successful completion of the program, and to function safely and effectively in the variety of professional settings. The specific functional requirements are found in the Functional Abilities/Core Performance Standards documents provided in the program information packet and on the Surgical Technology website. Students who think they may not be able to meet the functional standards and need accommodation are encouraged to contact the college ACCESS department as soon as this program is of interest.

ACCREDITATION

The Collin College AAS - Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Committee on Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARCSTA).

They may be contacted at:
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
727.210.2350
http://www.caahep.org

The Central Sterile Processing (CSP) curriculum is approved by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM). Recipients of this certificate are eligible to sit for the national certification exam.

Students interested in the program should see the academic advisor for consultation and consult the college website for more specific information. An admission packet is available upon request from the Dean of Health Sciences Office and on the Surgical Technology website.