Surgical Technology Program Goals and Objectives

The Surgical Technology program is designed to prepare students for employment as surgical technologists and to provide supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in this occupation.

The Surgical Technology program includes classroom instruction, laboratory simulation, and clinical experiences. The curriculum is designed according to the Core Curriculum published by the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).

The main objective of the program is to build practical and functional knowledge of surgical technology through progressive terms (depending on full-time or part-time status) integrating written work, verbal skill, and demonstrative performance. This program requires strong critical thinking and decision-making skills.

The goal of the Surgical Technology program is to prepare competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

College-Wide Objectives

• Reading and Written Communication: Students will demonstrate competency in reading and writing.
• Oral Communication: Students will demonstrate effective oral communication skills that incorporate emotional intelligence, empathy, and civility. 
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning: Students will apply critical thinking and the knowledge gained in their degree programs for better decision-making informed by:
  • Ethical Reasoning
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Scientific Reasoning
• Knowledge and Skills for Living in a Diverse Society: Students will respect multiple perspectives and cultural contexts when making decisions independently or as part of a team.
• Information Literacy: Students will be able to locate, evaluate, and ethically utilize reliable information, empowering them as informed and responsible citizens.
• Integration of Learning: Students will develop the ability to make connections between different academic studies and specialized professional skills leading to more informed, creative, and productive decisions in life and career.

Cognitive Domain:

• Provide students with a comprehensive background in the basic sciences, with mastery of aseptic technique, with perfection of surgical technology skills, and with a keenly developed surgical conscience as established in the AST Core Curriculum.
• Educate students as to the scope of their practice as the patient’s advocate, as well as to the ethical, legal, and professional principles of surgical technology.
• Prepare students for successful completion of the national certification exam, administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or another nationally recognized surgical technologist credentialing organization. 

Psychomotor Domain:

• Ensure students enter the workforce as qualified and technically skilled healthcare professionals in the ever-changing healthcare environment.
• Educate students with practices of safe patient care and of anticipating the needs of the surgical team in the perioperative setting.
• Instruct students to employ HIPAA, OSHA, Standard Precautions, and other infection control measures in the healthcare setting.

Affective Domain:

• Prepare students to effectively interact with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team in a therapeutic and professional manner.
• Help students achieve respect for the diversity of others including, but not limited to, sociocultural, socioeconomic, spiritual, and lifestyle choices.
• Stimulate and develop within students a pattern of personal growth and improvement and a commitment to lifelong learning.