Surgical Technology (A.S.)
Associate in Science
Dean Lori Moon
413-236-4720• lmoon@berkshirecc.edu
McCann Program Advisor: Jocelyne Hescock 413-663-5383, ext. 180 • jhescock@mccanntech.org
Note: Surgical Technology Studies (AHS-171) is offered only at McCann Technical School.
The number of surgical procedures is expected to continue to rise as the population continues to grow and age, creating an increase in employment opportunities for surgical technologists.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Surgical technologists work in the sterile environment with surgeons, anesthesia personnel and nurses in delivering surgical patient care. Scrub surgical technologists prepare the surgical environment by selecting and assembling sterile supplies and equipment, preparing and maintaining the sterile field through- out surgery, and anticipating the needs of the surgical team by passing instruments and sterile items in an efficient manner. Surgical technologists are employed in hospital-based operating room settings, outpatient surgical centers, maternity units, emergency rooms, central sterile reprocessing units and in the medical sales field.
BCC and McCann Postsecondary Technical School partner to provide a comprehensive 64 credit associate degree program in Surgical Technology. Once the associate degree is awarded, students are eligible to sit for the board exam given by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
- The BCC program component prepares students for continued clinical studies at McCann and includes courses in Microbiology, English Composition, Communication, Math, Sociology, and Surgical Technology. Students enroll at BCC, then after successful completion of all coursework.
- The McCann program component focuses on elements of the sciences and applies them within operating room practices and procedures, safe patient care, operating room technique, surgical procedures and clinical practice.
More information about the coursework at McCann
The surgical technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education and Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. Graduates of the Surgical Technology Associate Degree are eligible to sit for the national board exam given by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
Degree: Associate in Science, Health Science. Concentration/Option/Track: Surgical Technology
This program is inactive as of Spring, 2024
Admissions Requirements
1. Apply to BCC (Admissions Office, 499-4660, Ext. 1630) to Pre-Surgical Technology Program
Submit application;
Submit official high school transcript(s) OR GED/HISET;
Submit official transcripts of any previous colleges attended.
2. Complete A.S. Surgical Technology program Matriculation Requirements (Matriculation Form)
Expected Outcomes
Essential Functions
Berkshire Community College seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. Therefore, to the extent practicable, the College will endeavor to make a reasonable academic adjustment for an applicant with a disability who is otherwise qualified.
The Essential Functions of a student enrolled in the Surgical Technology Certificate program requires that the student, with or without reasonable accommodations, must be able to
perform the following:
- Stand/walk a minimum of 6 hours per 8-hour shift.
- Lift up to 100 lbs. intermittently throughout shift.
- Lift over 100 lbs. with assistance and/or mechanical aid.
- Push/pull 100 lbs. without assistance.
- Roll a patient side-to-side up to 200 lbs. without assistance.
- Transfer and/or pivot a patient up to 100 lbs.
- Transfer and/or pivot a patient over 100 lbs. with assistance or mechanical aid such as a hoyer lift.
- Perform occasional overhead extension of above the shoulder raising arms throughout a shift.
- See/hear using prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so the requirements of the position can be fully met.
- Speak, and have the verbal ability to use and understand medical terminology to fulfill quickly and accurately Surgeons and Nurses instructions.
- Listen and understand with verbal/non-verbal responses.
- Rapidly and accurately move the body and hands in response to visual and audio stimuli.
- Demonstrates the knowledge and application of surgical aseptic technique.
- Show familiarity with basic surgical procedures, instruments, equipment, physiology, microbiology, anatomy and psychological process.
- Anticipate and meet the needs of the Surgical Team.
- Meet the needs of the patients for safety, comfort, and reassurance.
- Maintain confidentiality of patients and self.
- Interact with members of the multidisciplinary team to keep them informed of changes or problems.
- Withstand extended periods of time without bathroom or meal breaks.
- Establish effective relationships with others.
- Accept and act upon constructive criticism to upgrade abilities.
- Observe Standard Precautions policy for the hospital.
- Communicate effectively, safely and efficiently in English by:
- Receiving information from others
- Receiving information from written documents
- Exhibiting appropriate interpersonal skills (refer to Code of Ethics for Surgical Technologist)
- Detect an unsafe environment and carry out appropriate emergency procedures including:
- Detecting subtle environmental changes and odors including but not limited to the smell of burning electrical equipment, smoke and spills
- Detect high and low frequency sounds, including but not limited to alarms, bells, and emergency signals.
- Practice medication handling, including labeling for each surgical procedure per facility policy.
- Apply sharps safety practices per facility policy.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete all program and general education credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.
Successful completion of AHS-107 Introduction to Surgical Technology (1 credit)-Summer prior to 1st semester
Program Courses
AHS-117 | Surgical Technology I | 1 |
AHS-171 | | 30 |
AHS-121 | Essentials of Pharmacology | 3 |
BIO-201 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
BIO-202 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
BIO-207 | Microbiology | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 46 |
General Education Courses
COM-104 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
ENG - | English Composition | 6 |
SOC-105 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
MAT-136 | Mathematics for the Health Sciences | 3 |
- | General Education Elective | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
General Education Elective: See footnote 2
Additional Requirements
Core Competencies Portfolio |
4 items |
FORUM |
4 units |
Health/Fitness |
30 hours |
Minimum Cumulative Average Overall |
2.000 |
Health/Fitness: See footnote 3
Suggested Pathway to Graduation
Semester 1
AHS-117 | Surgical Technology I | 1 |
ENG-101 | Composition I | 3 |
BIO-201 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
SOC-105 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
MAT-136 | Mathematics for the Health Sciences | 3 |
AHS-121 | Essentials of Pharmacology | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Semester 2
ENG-102 | Composition II | 3 |
BIO-202 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
BIO-207 | Microbiology | 4 |
COM-104 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
- | General Education Elective | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Semester 3 and 4
McCann Surgical Technology Course: Block Schedule
Semester 3 at McCann |
credits |
Semester 4 at McCann |
credits |
SR 101: Procedural Lab
|
3
|
SR205: Occupational Issues
|
1
|
SR 102: Perioperative Issues
|
5
|
SR 210: Surgical Procedures II
|
6
|
SR 103: Operating Room Techniques
|
4
|
SR 211: Clinical Externship II
|
4
|
SR 104: Asepsis
|
3
|
SR 310: Surgical Procedures III
|
4
|
SR 110: Surgical Procedures I
|
4
|
SR 311: Clinical Externship III
|
4
|
SR 111: Clinical Externship I
|
2
|
|
|
Total
|
21
|
|
19
|
Note: 30 credits will be accepted by BCC. Though fewer credits will be transferred, the curriculum content at McCann is not affected. McCann academic transcript reflects that total coursework
|
Footnotes — Surgical Technology Option
- Surgical Technology Studies are only offered at McCann Technical School in North Adams, Massachusetts.
- General Education Elective chosen from History, Humanities, or Fine Arts.
- Fulfilled by successful completion of AHS-171.
Notes
Berkshire Community College seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. Therefore, to the extent practicable, the College will endeavor to make a reasonable academic adjustment for an applicant with a disability who is other- wise qualified.
There are specific sensory, motor and psychosocial skills needed to successfully complete the Surgical Technology program. Any student who feels he/ she will require accommodations with these skills should contact the coordinator of the Disability Resource Center.