Certificate ∙ Program Code: 183 ∙ Credit Hours: 69 ∙ Contact Hours: 137
Interim Dean: Peter Olson, Provost
Surgical Technologists are allied health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients. Surgical Technologists work under the supervision of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures, ensuring that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Surgical Technologists possess expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
North Central’s Surgical Technologist Program courses are offered over four semesters (excluding summer), beginning in the fall term of odd‐numbered years, and ending at the close of the winter term one year later. The Surgical Technologist program, in full compliance with the Association of Surgical Technologist’s (AST) Core Curriculum, offers students the chance to complete a Certificate or an Associate of Applied Science degree. North Central offers NCCT (National Center for Competency Testing) on campus for Surgical Technologist program graduates.
Since this program is very rigorous and demanding, students should consider carefully their outside work schedule given the requirements of the program, and especially in SRG 230 - Surgical Technologist IV - Externship (10 credit hours) (where students will be placed for 36 hours each week in a clinical setting). Students should also realize that they may be expected to travel as much as 40 ‐100 miles one way for clinical observations and/or externships at regional hospitals so as not to overload a single clinical facility with too many students. Every effort will be made to assign students to clinical and externship sites fairly.
This is a selective admission program, which means that more students typically apply than the program can accept. In the event that more students apply than the program can accept, students will be ranked for admission based on the following criteria:
- Proof of High School diploma or GED (1 point)
- Submission of completed Allied Health Program Application (1 point);
- Submission of assessment scores (either Accuplacer, SAT or ACT Reading and Math scores;1 point);
- Completion of ENG 111 (1 point);
- Completion of MATH 110 (or higher; 1 point);
- Completion of EMS 101 (or current American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers or American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer; this certification must be maintained throughout the program; 1 point);
- Overall grade point average (actual value);
- Grade point average (actual value) and completion status (1 point) of these courses:
- Visit, volunteer, or work experience in healthcare (as documented on North Central’s “Visit, Volunteer, Work Experience Statement,” a part of the Allied Health Program Application form; maximum of 3 points).
The maximum number of points an applicant can receive is 33 points. The eight students with the highest point totals will be offered admission first.
Students should complete the Allied Health Program Application form and return it with all necessary attachments by July 1 of the year they plan to enter the Surgical Technologist program in the fall. Students who are accepted into the program must enter the program in the fall following their application; students who are not admitted to the program, or who decide not to accept the offer of admission immediately, must re-apply; applications will not be kept on file, nor is there a waiting list for the program. Students may apply to the program while completing prerequisite courses, but all prerequisite courses, must be completed before beginning the program.
Students who are accepted into the program are further required to provide the following (described in more detail in the Allied Health Student Handbook):
- Current immunization information (students must also maintain current immunization status throughout the program),
- Background check authorization information (students should note that many types of criminal behavior may negatively affect program admission or completion due to requirements of clinical facilities where students may be placed; it is important that the student maintain a clean record for the duration of the program);
- Proof of current health insurance;
- Meet specific functional abilities with or without accommodations for successful completion of the program and to function safely and effectively in a variety of professional settings. Students who think they may not be able to meet the functional standards and need accommodation are encouraged to contact the Dean of Nursing, Allied Health and Science or Learning Support Services.