Enrollment in the clinical portion of the Surgical Technology (ST) program is limited to 20 students for each of two cohorts - fall admission and spring admission. To be considered, you must:

1. Complete and submit an FCC application for admission and submit proof of residency if required.
2. Complete an application for the ST program.

    

   • All applications will be reviewed and seats will be offered to the date of application and completion of the required prerequisites with validation through an official transcript-transfer or FCC. Although applications will be reviewed at any time, first consideration is given to students who submit an application by the first consideration dates which are: October 15 for spring admission, and April 15 for fall admission.
   • Minimum skill levels in the areas of reading, writing, math, and allied health science are necessary to enroll in pre-requisite coursework for the ST program.
   • The pre-requisites are: All courses listed in the AAS degree program completed before beginning the SURG courses.
   • Students must achieve a “C” or higher in “all” pre-requisite courses.
   • When there are more qualified applicants than there are seats in the program, those submitting an application dated first and with proof of all prerequisites courses will be offered seats to fill the cohort. Other qualified applicants will be offered seats as they become available.
   • Participate in a job shadowing experience. Follow a surgical technology in the OR for a day and evaluate if the career is for you.
   • Mark your calendar for the mandatory orientation session conducted for each new class. Refer to the ST Application.The ST program mandatory orientation will be hosted virtually and the link will be sent out to those accepted by December 1 for spring starting cohort.
   • Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor may prohibit placement into a clinical site, applying for a professional license, or acquiring employment as a healthcare professional. Prior to applying for consideration in a healthcare program which requires clinical placement for program completion, please discuss any questions you may have with the program director or manager. Once admitted into the program, students are required to pay for and obtain criminal background checks and drug screening before starting clinical coursework; and random drug screening may occur at any time during clinical experiences.
   • Students are required to obtain Basic Life Support CPR certification through the American Heart Association.
     *Please select a course providing both didactic and manikin practice.
   • Students will submit a completed Confidential Student Health Profile prior to beginning the program. Validation of immunity is required via laboratory documentation (bloodwork). Prospective ST students must visit their physician to obtain an order for bloodwork approximately 9 months before the program begins. History of diseases such as MMR or Varicella is no longer acceptable. Hepatitis B titers are required. Refer here for all specific requirements.

The student will: Meet all academic, financial, and graduation criteria for Frederick Community College. Refer to the current catalog. Pass all surgical technology (SURG) courses with a minimum of a “C” grade and pass the clinical component of the courses. With any clinical or didactic failure in the last SURG course, the student may not sit for the national certification examination and may not receive a degree in surgical technology. Participate in and document at least 120 surgical procedures according to the latest criteria found in the Association of Surgical Technology’s Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology.

Specific duties for surgical technologists may include:

• Participates in small, team groups
• Enjoys working with people
• Works accurately under pressure and within time constraints
• Communicates professionally and respectfully
• Detail oriented
• Exhibits prompt and consistent attendance
• Demonstrates manual dexterity and technical skills
• Accepts constructive criticism and learns from feedback
• Applies standardized principles and concepts related to surgery
• Applies anatomy knowledge
• Anticipates needs of the surgical team
• Multitasks while focusing on the needs of the surgical team
• Opens sterile supplies and prepares the sterile surgical field
• Assists team members to don sterile gowns and gloves
• Prepares necessary equipment
• Assists the patient to settle into an unfamiliar environment
• Assists with patient positioning for the procedure
• Assists team members to apply surgical and monitoring devices
• Prepares the incision site
• Counts instruments and sponges concurrently with the circulator
• Verifies, prepares, and passes medications and solutions during the procedure
• Handles sterile instruments, sponges, and suture
• Utilizes correct protocols for all tissue specimens
• Assists with placement of surgical dressings at the end of the procedure

Accreditation Information

*Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19 N.
Suite 158
Clearwater, FL
www.caahep.org

View Certification of Accreditation

CERTIFICATION IN SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY (CST) Awarded by the NBSTSA:

Average for cohorts in 2017: 96%
Average for cohorts in 2018: 100 %
Average for cohorts in 2019: 73%

Average for cohorts in 2020: COVID semesters, TBD

1. What do ST students say about the ST program and the career?
   “Thanks to you and the rest of the instructors. I walked away from this first week so excited to begin a new chapter in my life. The thing that impressed me so much was the kindness that you and everyone else showed toward all of the students. Your willingness to help and to see us succeed is truly a great gift that all of you have given us!”
   
   “Do you love to help people? Have you always wanted to enter the healthcare field without attending school for numerous years? If you answered “yes” to these questions then become a Surgical Technologist!
   
   You will be a vital part of the surgical team and make a difference in the patient’s quality of life. Surgical technologists do so much; they are the surgeon’s foundation and support.”
   
   “The surgical technologist is the backbone of the operating room team. They prepare, maintain, and display exceptional organizational skills, and demonstrate a positive attitude and exceptional people skills. Along with the entire OR team, the ST places the patient’s health and well‐being as the number one priority.”
   
   “Surgical technologists work as part of a team. They must be proficient at multi‐tasking and must remain calm in highly stressful situations. Obtaining certification in this field gives you the opportunity to be part of an exciting career path.”


2. What types of surgical technology programs are offered at FCC?
   • Associate in Applied Science degree. Students can obtain an A.A.S. degree by completing a series of general education courses and the surgical technology courses. The A.A.S. degree can generally be completed in two years.


3. What are the prerequisites?
   Complete all courses with a “C” grades or higher which will be applied towards the ST Certificate or the A.A.S. degree.
   • Complete BI103 and BI 104 Anatomy and Physiology.
   • Complete MDA 108 or MDA 109 Medical Terminology.
   • Complete one CMSP Communications course selection. CMSP 107 Career Communications is recommended.
   Students completing the A.A.S. degree in ST may use ST 101 Introduction to Surgical Technology to meet the FCC cultural competency requirement.
   
   Participate in job shadowing with a surgical technologist in the OR.  Refer to question # 4.


4. Does job shadowing help students decide if ST is a career path for them?
   Yes. Ninety‐five percent of all students stated that observing a surgical technologist in the operating room was extremely helpful in validating their desire to pursue this profession. A few students have withdrawn their application to the program as a result of participating in job shadowing. The rationale given was the ST’s job was not as expected; it was too demanding or stressful.
   
   You may arrange a job shadowing experience through the education department at participating hospitals, or through an online hospital application process. Proof of immunity to communicable diseases and completion of privacy training may be required.
   
   Refer to the FCC Job Shadowing Verification Form for program applicants.


5. Can I transfer courses from other colleges into the ST program?
   Yes. First register with FCC and complete a separate web‐based ST program application by the due date. Both applications are free.
   
   Change your major to the ST A.A.S. degree.
   
   Courses taken at other colleges may be submitted for evaluation by our registrar. Please send official transcripts from each college where you completed the courses; grades must be a “C” or higher.
   
   Your transcript will be evaluated and “points” will be assigned in a program point system. Refer to the Surgical Technology Competitive Admissions Point Scale.


6. When do ST classes begin?
   The clinical portion of the program begins twice a year in the fall and in the spring. The spring, 2015 start date, is a new addition to the ST program.
   
   AAS degree students attend the clinical portion of the program simultaneously.


7. How many semesters are in the clinical program?
   There are three semesters in the ST clinical program. Each semester includes clinical hours, or scheduled time in the operating room, at our clinical affiliate sites.


8. Where are the clinical sites located?
   There are over 20 clinical sites utilized in the Maryland‐Pennsylvania‐Virginia‐West Virginia region. Program officials aim to place students geographically; however, requests cannot be guaranteed. Plan to add travel time onto each clinical day, which typically begins at 6:45 a.m.


9. Are there any additional costs for the program other than tuition?
   Yes. There are additional costs.
   
   Use scholarships and loans in the FCC bookstore to purchase textbooks, ST lab packs, and ST scrub attire. Cost is approximately $625.00.
   
   ST courses have fees associated with them for pre‐clinical screening: background check, fingerprinting, and drug screening. Cost is approximately $200.00; course fees also include the CST examination fee. Cost is approximately $250.00
   
   Schedule an appointment with your healthcare practitioner for pre‐clinical screening. Obtain permission to perform the duties of a student surgical technology, and obtain proof of immunity to communicable diseases. Cost to the student will be for the office visit, any additional immunizations, and for laboratory services.
   
   Provide proof of a certificate in CPR for the HealthCare Provider from the American Heart Association. Cost to the student will be course registration fees.


10. Can I work full‐time while attending the ST program?
    A majority of ST students do not work full time. Current students overwhelmingly recommend against full‐time employment.
    
    Most classroom sessions and all clinical rotations are scheduled during the day time hours. Clinical rotations are scheduled between 6:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and travel time is additional.
    
    For those students who are currently employed as a surgical technologist, you may be able to negotiate with your employer so that your work commitment corresponds with your program commitments.
    
    The clinical component of the program shall be educational in nature, and the student shall not be substituted for paid staff personnel during the clinical component of the program (September, 2013).


11. How much study time is involved?
    On average, students must plan on spending approximately five hours per week out of the classroom studying for each 3‐credit course. Study time equates to about two hours for every one hour in class.
    
    Surgical technology is a career program. You are required to demonstrate competency in ST skills and you must practice safely in the operating room setting with surgical patients, surgeons, and nurses. You must pass each component in the course to advance in the program.
    
    ST courses contain lecture classes, skill simulation laboratories, instrument identification sessions, and clinical operating room assignments.


12. What are the benefits of passing the certification examination in surgical technology?
    Students sit for the web‐based national certification examination in surgical technology in our testing center and prior to graduation. Those who pass the examination may use the credential “CST” behind their name (certified surgical technologist.)
    
    While passing this examination is not a pre‐requisite to employment in many hospitals, it provides an advantage to the new graduate when competing for job openings. Once hired, most hospitals award additional salary to certified surgical technologists.


13. Are there ST jobs in our area?
    Yes. During the past ten years, 75%‐ 95% of our program graduates have obtained employment in our geographical region which includes Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia.
    
    Graduates who seek employment within a 50‐mile radius are most successful.
    
    When openings exist, our graduates are offered employment by their clinical site managers.


14. What type of jobs have FCC graduates obtained?
    Our graduates are employed full‐ or part‐time in main operating rooms, surgery centers, physician’s offices, materials management departments, surgical product companies, and surgical technology education.

THE ST CLASSES ARE SCHEDULED IN THE HYBRID REMOTE FORMAT. LECTURES ARE CONDUCTED ON-LINE AND LAB SESSIONS ARE HELD AT FCC. CLINICALS ARE SCHEDULED IN OPERATING ROOMS IN AREA HOSPITALS AND SURGERY CENTERS

FALL START CLASS

Lecture: Tuesdays and Saturdays (first 10 weeks, then Saturdays only )
Lab: options available for the daytime or evenings (first 10 weeks of the semester)
Clinicals: Wednesday through Friday 645 am – 3 pm (last 5 weeks of the semester)

January term
Lecture/lab: Mondays
Clinicals: Wednesday through Friday 645 am – 3 pm
 

Spring term

SPRING START CLASS

Spring
Lecture: Tuesdays and Saturdays (first 10 weeks, then Saturdays only)
Lab: options available for the daytime or evenings (first 10 weeks of the semester)
Clinicals: Wednesday through Friday 645 am – 3 pm (last 5 weeks of the semester)
 

Summer

Fall

Those accepted into the clinical portion of the ST program are required to attend an orientation session. The Mandatory ST Program Orientation will be conducted through a weblink sent to your FCC email address. The weblink will be sent by December 1 for the spring cohort for those accepted into the ST program. The weblink for the fall cohort will be sent by June 1.

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY OPEN HOUSE

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY OPEN HOUSE: ON HOLD DUE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES.

Instructions: NOTE THIS OPPORTUNITY IS ON HOLD DUE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES.

CONTACTS

CONTACTS

PRE-HEALTH PROFESSIONS: SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY ORIENTATION & INFORMATION SESSIONS ARE OFFERED THROUGH A WEBLINK. PLEASE SIGN UP.