Surgical Technology (A.S.)

Associate in Science

Dean Lori Moon

413-236-4720• [e-mail]

 

McCann Program Advisor: Jocelyne Hescock 413-663-5383, ext. 180 • [e-mail]

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

Graduates of this program should be able to: 

 

• Perform the role of the entry-level Surgical Technologist in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
• Respond to the perioperative needs of a diverse population ranging from pediatric to adult care.
• Respond to cultural values, economic status and disease patterns, which shape health care, needs and values.
• Understand and value technological and scientific changes that will provide quality patient care.
• Demonstrate professional behavior consistent with legal requirements and ethical expectations consistent with the AST Code of Ethics. 

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:

1. Stand/walk a minimum of 6 hours per 8-hour shift.
2. Lift up to 100 lbs. intermittently throughout shift.
3. Lift over 100 lbs. with assistance and/or mechanical aid.
4. Push/pull 100 lbs. without assistance.
5. Roll a patient side-to-side up to 200 lbs. without assistance.
6. Transfer and/or pivot a patient up to 100 lbs.
7. Transfer and/or pivot a patient over 100 lbs. with assistance or mechanical aid such as a hoyer lift.
8. Perform occasional overhead extension of above the shoulder raising arms throughout a shift.
9. See/hear using prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so the requirements of the position can be fully met.
10. Speak, and have the verbal ability to use and understand medical terminology to fulfill quickly and accurately Surgeons and Nurses instructions.
11. Listen and understand with verbal/non-verbal responses.
12. Rapidly and accurately move the body and hands in response to visual and audio stimuli.
13. Demonstrates the knowledge and application of surgical aseptic technique.
14. Show familiarity with basic surgical procedures, instruments, equipment, physiology, microbiology, anatomy and psychological process.
15. Anticipate and meet the needs of the Surgical Team.
16. Meet the needs of the patients for safety, comfort, and reassurance.
17. Maintain confidentiality of patients and self.
18. Interact with members of the multidisciplinary team to keep them informed of changes or problems.
19. Withstand extended periods of time without bathroom or meal breaks.
20. Establish effective relationships with others.
21. Accept and act upon constructive criticism to upgrade abilities.
22. Observe Standard Precautions policy for the hospital.
23. Communicate effectively, safely and efficiently in English by:

• Explaining procedures

• 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

AHS-171: See footnote 1

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

1. Surgical Technology Studies are only offered at McCann Technical School in North Adams, Massachusetts.
2. General Education Elective chosen from History, Humanities, or Fine Arts.
3. 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.