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Surgical Technology Curriculum Guide 2021-2022

The Surgical Technologists is a crucial member of an operative team whose primary focus is on surgical procedures. The Surgical Tech is responsible for the layout and opening of operating room equipment and surgical instrumentation, including maintaining control of the sterile field during surgery. Surgical Technologists anticipate the needs of the surgeon, handle instrumentation, assist by handling tissue, maintaining counts, and providing wound exposure within the operative area. The program curriculum will include course work in the supporting sciences, general education areas, and core courses.

This curriculum guide will assist those interested in a career in Surgical Technology. It includes information about the college, ST program application requirements, a sample academic program plan, how to get started, and contact information. The Jefferson Community and Technical College Surgical Technology Program is offered at the Downtown Campus near the heart of the Louisville Medical Center, in the Health Sciences Hall Building (HSH).

Assessment Outcomes and Graduate Data

ARCSTSA/ NBSTSA Outcomes Assessment Exam (OAE) / CERTIFICATION

Graduate
year		 Graduates

Graduates that
took the exam

 OAE Pass Rate
1st attempt
2012-13 8 7 83%
2013-14 7 4 75%
2014-15 8 8 50%
2015-16 12 12 10 of 12 first attempt 83.5%
2016-17 12 12 11 of 12 first attempt 92%
2017-18 19 19 16 of 19 first attempt 84%
2018-19 14 14 7 of 7 first attempt 50%
2019-20 17 17 12 of 17 first attempt 71%
2020-21 24 24 17 of 24 first attempt 71%

Surgical Technology graduate full time employment rate

Graduate year Graduates Employed prior to Graduation Employed 1-6 months of graduation Employment Percentage within 6 months of graduation
2011-12 9 7 8 87%
2012-13 8 5 8 100%
2013-14 7 3 7 100%
2014-15 8 5 8 100%
2015-16 12 12/ All with full Scholarship opportunities 12 100%
2016-17 12 10/All with full Scholarship opportunities 12 100%
2017-18 19 19/ 16 with scholarship opportunities 19 100%
2018-19 14 12/ 14 with scholarship opportunities 14 100%
2019-20 17 14/17 with scholarship opportunities 17 100%
2020-21 24 14/24 with scholarship opportunities 23 96%

IMPORTANT POINTS OF CONTACT

Email is the preferred form of contact. The majority of faculty & staff hours involve clinical rotation, with limited or no phone contact during that time. An email ensures the program not only receives your request, but also maintains a record of contact.

Surgical Technology Program /Allied Health Division
Jefferson Community and Technical College
109 E. Broadway
Louisville, KY 40202

PRE-ADMISSION CONFERENCE DATES/SITES

All meetings will be held at the Health Science Hall building (HSH), Room 269, at 9:00am

Spring 2021 Preadmission Conference Dates

  • February 5th
  • March 5th
  • April 2rd
  • May 7th

Dates for Pre Admission Conferences are subject to change, please check this website and/ or contact the program director for updates. Preadmission conferences are available for anyone interested in the program; there are no requirements to attend a conference. It is recommended any student interested in the program bring an unofficial copy of their current transcripts for reference. Attending at least one preadmissions conference is required to apply to the program.

Note: The last pre-admission conference scheduled in May, is past the May 1st application deadline. This conference is primarily designed to provide information for students seeking program details and course assistance for the upcoming year. Attending a late conference to include a late application will place any applicant in a secondary pool.

ADMISSION POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES

Information for college admission & how to begin the process of applying to the program

COLLEGE ADMISSION

  • It is important to remember that applying to the Surgical Technology program, is NOT the same as applying to the college. Before you can apply to the Surgical Technology program, you must first become a student here at Jefferson Community and Technical College. This information can be found at the application portion of this website
  • When applying to the college, make sure your information is up to date - including high school and/ or ALL other official college transcripts have been forward to the college for review. This includes prior testing scores such as ACT/ SAT, or college level testing.
  • Schedule an appointment with an advisor – Any new student to Jefferson Community and Technical College should schedule a time to meet with a college advisor. This will assist you with college requirements, transferable courses, and help you become familiar with the online student portal.
  • Make sure your classes match the Surgical Technology APP – After meeting with a college advisor, you should have an Academic Program Plan (APP), specific to your program of study. This outline will give you a list of all courses required for the program you wish to pursue. This is also a good time to reach out and introduce yourself to the program director via email. They can assist you with program specifics and course details.

PROGRAM ADMISSION

  • Once you are a student of Jefferson Community and Technical College, and have completed your pre-requisite courses, you can begin the process of applying to the Surgical Technology program.
    - Review this curriculum guide in its entirety - This curriculum guide contains important information regarding the Surgical Technology program admission requirements, the application and selective admission processes, required coursework, conference schedules, and other advising information.
  • Complete your pre-requisite courses outlined in your APP
  • Attend a pre-admissions conference – Attending at least one Surgical Technology pre-admission conference is a requirement for any student wishing to apply to the program. A conference must be attended in the year of which you plan to apply to the program, and is the only way to collect an application packet.

If you are seeking information outside of the pre-admission conference timeline, no problem, reach out to the director of the program and request a meeting. (The program often holds four or more advising meetings during the summer and fall semesters to assist student with information).

*IMPORTANT* for any student wishing to apply to the Surgical Technology Program for that year, you must attend at least one pre-admissions conference. Pre-admission conferences for Surgical Technology include the application packets and information regarding how to complete the application process. Pre-admission conferences are the only place to collect an application packet for the Surgical Technology program, and is a requirement.

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION PROCESS

Senate rule requirements, application process & deadlines, selection process, post-admission requirements & deadlines

THE ADMISSION PROCESS - the following information will describe the requirements to apply to the Surgical Technology program. It is important to remember the program is selective admission, meaning all of the application requirements must be completed properly in order for your application to be considered by the Surgical Technology selective committee. The application, its accompanying requirements and documentation, are available during the Surgical Technology preadmissions conferences.

  • Make sure you are currently enrolled as a student with Jefferson Community and Technical College
  • Make sure you have attended at least one Surgical Technology Pre-admission conference - Preadmission conferences are normally held the first Friday of each month during the spring semester (February thru May). Specific days and times including location, can be found in this this guide, and also on our Surgical Technology Webpage. All program applicants MUST attend at least one pre-admissions conference.
  • Complete in its entirety, the Surgical Technology Application packet (available at a pre-admissions conference)
    1. A one page application cover page - Completed in full, applications missing information will not be accepted
    2. A letter of intent- This is your way of introducing yourself to the selective committee, and explaining why you would like to be a Surgical Technologist
    3. For CURRENT Jefferson Community and Technical College college student program applicants - (Current college applicants are those that have completed at least one full semester, with at least ONE JCTC course, at the college) Unofficial copies of transcripts of all post-secondary education; and a list of all current classes at all post-secondary schools are sufficient, including copies of your ACT/SAT and or placement exams.
      • For NEW Jefferson Community and Technical College college students & program applicants – (New college applicants are those that have NOT completed at least one full semester, with at least ONE Jefferson Community and Technical College course, at the college). Proof of High School graduation or GED, (High school transcript indicating the applicant has or will have completed a high school course of study or a passing GED report), AND / OR, Official transcripts of all post-secondary education; and a list of all current classes at all post-secondary schools. ACT/ SAT, or comparable test score reports such as COMPASS, KYOTE, etc. ALL transcript information included in this packet MUST be official documents, NO Copies, and must remain sealed. ALL new Jefferson Community and Technical College students MUST also forward all official transcripts to the registrar and record offices in order to process transferable credits prior to applying to the program.
    4. Professional letter of recommendation (three are suggested)

APPLICATION DEADLINE - Students must submit to the Academic Program Coordinator, a completed Surgical Technology Application for Admission, to include all appropriate credentials, no later than May 1st of that year (3pm EST), in order to be considered by the Surgical Technology Selective Admissions Committee. In the event May 1st falls on a weekend, the student has until 3:00 pm the next business day to submit the required documentations.

The application and appropriate credentials are to be submitted in the envelope provided at the pre-admissions conference, with your NAME, ADDRESS, SCHOOL EMAIL, STUDENT ID #, & PHONE #, clearly written in the center of the envelope. All required paperwork must be submitted at the same time. In the event of an incomplete application packet, student applications will not be reviewed for admittance into the program. Any Student wishing to apply to the program must complete all prerequisite courses outlined in the APP for Surgical Technology, prior to the fall semester start of the program.

DO NOT mail your application unless otherwise instructed to do so (you live out of state for example, and have made arrangements with the program director); the college is NOT responsible for lost, stolen, or misplaced applications, no matter the postmark date. It is strongly advised you make arrangements with the program director to hand deliver your application to confirm delivery.

THE SELECTION PROCESS - All applications received by the May 1st 3pm deadline will be reviewed for appropriate credentialing. The Surgical Technology Admissions Committee will determine the qualified applicant pool based on the minimum requirements for admission established by the Senate Rules of the Community and Technical College System. Enrollment in the Surgical Technology Program is currently limited to 20 students per cohort, per year.

The Surgical Technology Admissions Committee gives preference to:

  1. Candidates who demonstrate above average standing in college, high school or on the GED examination.
  2. Applicants with an ACT composite score of 19 or higher.
  3. Applicants who have completed 12 or more credit hours in the approved curriculum with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher from any accredited college.
  4. Kentuckiana residents, and/ or current Jefferson Community and Technical College students
  5. Preference may be given to applicants who are veterans, active duty personnel, their spouses and also displaced workers who qualify under the Trade Adjustment Act.
  6. Persons who have previously applied to the program.
  7. Students whom have currently held degrees, and or work experience related to surgical technology.

Selecting Surgical Technology Students

The POINT SYSTEM will be used to rank each applicant in the qualifying pool. (See Sample Curriculum & Course Sequence of this guide) The Admissions Committee will recommend for acceptance the students who have earned the highest total number of points and/or preference to the above stated. In the event of a tie, GPA will be used to rank ordered. The president of the college or the president’s designee will approve students for the Surgical Technology Program after considering recommendations from the Surgical Technology Admissions Committee. Late applications are reviewed at the discretion of the Surgical Technology Program Director & Admissions Committee, and selected only in the event that less than a full cohort of students have been admitted to the program. A new cohort begins once each fall semester.

The Surgical Technology Admissions Committee normally assembles within two weeks after the deadline date (May 1st), and selects the program applicants for the fall semester of that year. Selected applicants are notified via Email concerning acceptance status. Accepted students must reply via signed documentation, and will receive a meeting date for an admissions conference, normally held the third or fourth week of June. An applicant not selected during the initial selection process due to scoring, late application, and/or summer course requirements, may be contacted post selection process in the event a selected student from that year denies admittance or fails to meet the acceptance requirements.

POST ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS - ALL accepted applicants MUST respond to the acceptance email via the return of a conformation letter by the posted deadline. Students accepted into the Surgical Technology Program are required to attend a program orientation session prior to the beginning of the fall semester (June). At that time, students will receive a Surgical Technology Program Student Handbook and will be informed of all program policies and procedures. Brief summaries of post admission health/immunity, financial, and academic requirements are listed below:

  1. Criminal background check & drug screening / completed before the Fall Semester Start date
  2. Obtaining/maintaining CPR Certification during the entire program (Health Care provider by the American Heart Association only).
  3. Provide documentation of an annual TB Skin Test, immunity to measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) or vaccination against MMR, & vaccination against Hepatitis B or an executed Hepatitis B Vaccine Declination Form
  4. Annual Flu vaccine, completed prior to clinical rotation (normally in September)
  5. Students are required to maintain liability insurance coverage through the college.
  6. Purchase all the required books, supplies, & Lab Kit for Surgical Technology program courses.
  7. Purchase appropriate uniform attire, including shoes
  8. Cost of National Certification Exam at the end of this program, around $260.00.
  9. Students will incur all costs related to Clinical Education, including transportation, housing, and meals.
  10. All pre-admission requirements must be completed with a “C” or better prior to official acceptance into the Surgical Technology program. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in each surgical technology program course to continue in the program.

PROGRAM TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Career requirements to consider when working as a Surgical Technologist

Surgical Technology Students, and career graduates, work in a very fast paced, demanding, hands-on environment. In order to ensure the success of our graduates, all applicants must possess and be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Sufficient visual acuity - such as observation necessary for administering patient care and reading equipment, gauges, and settings used in the perioperative suite, suture selection, and color acuity.
  • Sufficient auditory perception - to receive verbal communication and to execute patient care through the use of monitoring devices.
  • Sufficient physical strength - including fine motor coordination to respond promptly to surgical needs, including standing for long periods of time, and proper lifting of 25-30 pounds consistently.
  • Sufficient communication skills - (speech, reading, & writing) to interact with individuals and to communicate their needs promptly and effectively, as may be necessary in the patient’s interest
  • Sufficient intellectual and emotional functions - to implement patient care, including the ability to work with doctors, hospital staff, and patients in high stress situations.

ADDITIONAL COLLEGE PROGRAM INFORMATION

  • Criminal Background Checks and Drug Testing - All Allied Health majors with a clinical component must submit to a criminal background check and drug screening. This is to ensure a safe clinical environment for both students and the public and to meet the contractual requirements of area healthcare facilities. Situations in which a student does not have a satisfactory background check or drug test, will be reviewed by the Dean of Allied Health on a case-by-case basis. Convictions involving the following crimes may serve to disqualify a person from participating in required clinical learning experiences:
    • Any felony, whether listed below or not
    • Crimes involving drugs, including but not limited to unlawful possession or distribution
    • Crimes of physical violence to include any type of abuse (child, spousal, or of the elderly), abduction such as kidnapping, manslaughter, murder, robbery, sexual crimes, possession of a restricted fire arm or any related weapons offenses, assault and battery or
    • Conviction of a misdemeanor related to abuse, neglect or exploitation.
    • Drug screening may be required of a student at any time throughout the course of study if there is reasonable suspicion on the part of the program faculty that the student may be using a controlled substance not prescribed by a health care provider. Positive findings on a drug screen or refusal to submit to a requested drug screen will result in immediate administrative withdrawal of the student from the program.
    • Each student will be given the designated facility and time once they are accepted into the program. The cost of background checks and drug testing is the responsibility of the student.
  • Accreditation - Jefferson Community and Technical College is a public, comprehensive, postsecondary institution accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree. The Surgical Technology program is accredited by ARC/ STSA Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
  • Credentialing Exam(s)/Licensure - Upon successful completion of this program, the graduate is eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam examination. All graduating students MUST take the AST/CST exam at least once prior to graduation. At this time, the state of Kentucky does not require certification for Surgical Technologist to work in state.
  • Financial Information/Expenses - Fee schedules may be found in the college catalog or on-line at http://www.jefferson.kctcs.edu. Specific questions concerning financial assistance should be directed to the Downtown Campus Financial Aid Office located on the 4th Floor of the Jefferson Education Center, or by calling 502.213.2146 or the Technical Campus Financial Aid Office located in room 109 Building B, 800 W. Chestnut Street, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling 502.213.4275
  • Incoming freshmen – New to college students must take the following college introduction course - FYE 105 within the first two (2) semesters of college. Students transferring college course work into Jefferson Community and Technical College are exempt from this requirement.
  • Developmental Course Work – Students needing developmental math courses cannot take collegiate math and/or science courses until they successfully complete their development courses. Students needing developmental English or Reading can only take a computer class once they successfully complete their developmental courses.
  • Placement/Assessment Testing – The ACT and associated math scores are only good for two (2) years and the English scores are only good for five (5) years. If they are older, Compass or comparable testing may be recommended for that section.
  • Pre-requisite courses - Prior to submitting an application to the Surgical Technology Program, students must complete all required prerequisite courses outlined in the APP with a grade “C” or higher. Courses listed below are an example of the required prerequisite courses for surgical technology outlined in the APP.
  • Academic Advising - Individual academic advising is available to all students. The advising center is on the second floor of the learning center next to the Health Sciences Hall Building. Students may also contact the Surgical Technology Program director to schedule an appointment for academic advising. Faculty offices are located in the Health Science Hall Building, Room 475 on the downtown campus. We request that students use e-mail communication to establish an initial contact. Students requiring developmental coursework should contact the Advising Center for academic advising.
  • Transcript Evaluation - A transcript evaluation is available for any student desiring to transfer credit into Jefferson Community and Technical College from other accredited institutions of higher learning. Formal transcript evaluation occurs upon the official receipt of transcripts by the Registrar and concurrent with the admissions process. However, for advising purposes, the Surgical Technology program can provide the student an informal assessment of status relative to the general education requirements specific to the Surgical Technology Program. Students may request such evaluation be contacting the Academic Program Coordinator and/or bringing a copy of the transcript(s) to be evaluated to the pre-admission conference.

Surgical Technology APP Course List

Required Pre-requites Courses
Course list  Course Details or Suggestions Required Credit Hours
College & Academic success FYE 105 Will meet this requirement
Transfer students are not required to take this course 		3
Computer Digital Literacy CIT 105 or DLC 100 Will meet this requirement/ or an IC3 Exam of 80% or higher 3
Written Communication ENG 101 or ENG 105 Will meet this requirement 3
Quantitative Reasoning MAT 110 or Higher Will meet this requirement 3
Heritage/Humanities Any Heritage/Humanities course listed on the KCTCS catalog (pg 74-78)
Will meet this requirement 		3
Social/Behavioral Sciences Any Social/Behavioral Sciences course listed on the KCTCS catalog (pg 74-78) Will meet this requirement 3
Human Anatomy & Physiology I BIO 137 Anatomy & Physiology I Will meet this requirement 4-5
Human Anatomy & Physiology II BIO 139 Anatomy & Physiology II Will meet this requirement 3
Medical Terminology CLA 131 or AHS115 or MIT 105 Medical Terminology Will meet this requirement 0-3
Microbiology

BIO 118 or BIO 225 or BIO 226 or BIO 227 Microbiology Will meet this requirement

HST 122 may course substitute for this requirement at Jefferson only

 3
Required Core Courses - Post acceptance
Course list Course Details or Suggestions Required Credit Hours
Surgical Technology Fundamentals/Theory SUR 100 12
Surgical Technology Fundamentals Lab SUR 102 3
Surgical Technology Skills Practicum I SUR 125 2
Surgical Technology Advanced Theory SUR 202 11
Surgical Technology Skills Practicum II SUR 201 6
Surgical Technology Advanced Clinical Practicum SUR 275 2

SAMPLE CURRICULUM PLAN FOR SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY

Course # Course Name Credit Hours
  First Year - Fall  
FYE 105 Achieving Academic Success
(Required for all new first year students) 		3
MAT 110 Applied Mathematics 3
ENG 101 Writing I 3
BIO 137 Human Anatomy & Physiology I 4
  Credit Hours per Semester 13
  First Year - Spring  
BIO 139 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4
BIO 118 Microbiology 3
AHS 115 Medical Terminology 3
CIT 105 Introduction to Computer 3
  Credit Hours per Semester 13
  First Year - Summer  
  Social/ Behavioral Science (See Catalog Pg. 75-76) 3
  Heritage/Humanities Course (See Catalog Pg. 75-76) 3
  Credit Hours per Semester 6
  Second Year - Fall  
SUR 100 Surgical Technology Fundamentals/Theory 12
SUR 102 Surgical Technology Fundamentals/Lab 3
SUR 125 Surgical Technology Skills Practicum I 2
  Credit Hours per Semester 11
  Second Year - Spring  
SUR 202 Surgical Technology Advanced Theory 11
SUR 201 Surgical Technology Skills Practicum II 6
SUR 275 Surgical Technology Advanced Clinical Practicum 2
  Credit Hours per Semester 19
  Total Credits AAS Surgical Technology 68

POINT SYSTEM FOR ADMISSION

Point System for Admissions

Jefferson Community & Technical College is an Equal Opportunity Institution. The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is committed to a policy of providing educational opportunities to all qualified students regardless of economic or social status, and will not discriminate based on race, color, sex, marital status, beliefs, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability. Educational programs or activities as set forth in Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.