Program & Job Description

This highly specialized program prepares the student to assume the role of surgical technologist in an operating room setting. In this program, the student is prepared to function in the areas of scrub, circulating assistant, and second assistant during surgical and obstetrical procedures.

Our goal is to prepare competent entry-level professionals in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains that possess:

• expertise in theory and application of sterile technique
• expertise in theory and application of aseptic technique
• combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures and implementation tools
• implements technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures

Keeping in mind the needs of the patient and his/her operative care, the scrub assistant has the following duties:

• (1) preparing the operating room and equipment needed for surgery;
• (2) assisting the surgeon by passing instruments and equipment during surgery; and
• (3) caring for the operating room and equipment following surgery.

The numerous functions and responsibilities of the circulating assistant are of utmost importance and consist of

• (1) being alert to all the needs of the patient;
• (2)assisting with patient care;
• (3) assisting the anesthesiologist;
• (4) delivering supplies and equipment to the surgical team; and
• (5) observing, reporting and recording selected data associated with surgery.

The duties of the second assistant consist of

• (1) sponging,
• (2) suctioning,
• (3) retracting wound edges, and
• (4) cutting sutures in the operative field,
• (5) application of surgical dressings and
• (6) connection of drainage devices.

Upon successful completion of the program, an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree will be granted by Nassau Community College. Graduates are also prepared to take the (NBSTSA) National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Certification Exam in Surgical Technology (CST). The Surgical Technology program is approved by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation from The Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARCSTSA).

CAAHEP contact information:
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 – 113TH St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775 
Phone: 727.210.2350
Fax: 727.210.2354
www.caahep.org

ARC/STSA contact information:
Accrediting Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
19751 E. Mainstreet, Suite 339 
Parker, CO 80138 
Phone: 303.694.9262
Fax: 303.741.3655
info@arcstsa.org

Surgical Technology-Job Description

Many graduates elect to specialize in a particular area of surgery such as open heart, neuro, eye, orthopedics and many others. The prestige associated with this type of specialization is extremely rewarding. Graduates are also employed in emergency rooms, delivery rooms, central supply units, ambulatory surgery centers, organ retrieval units and surgical equipment sales. Many other graduates utilize the skills learned here to provide an income, while they further their health-related education at four-year institutions in Nursing, Physician's Assistant or other health related fields.