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Program Information
The Anoka Technical College Surgical Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a 60-credit program designed to develop skills in all phases of operating room procedures and techniques, including clinical experience in the operating room.
In addition to operating room techniques, surgical procedures, surgical instruments and equipment, students study surgical microbiology, surgical pharmacology, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, asepsis (sterile technique), preparation of the patient for surgery, and the physical conditions that make it necessary for a person to have surgery.
Program Learning Outcomes
By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes.
- Accept constructive criticism and demonstrate the appropriate behavior change.
- Communicate effectively in medical language.
- Ability to transfer theoretical knowledge to clinical situations.
- Adjust to changes in technology.
- Understand his/her role and function as a member of the surgical team.
- Display professional behavior.
- Demonstrate the principles of aseptic technique consistently.
- Adhere to program/hospital policies and procedures according to industry standards.
Career Opportunities
A surgical technologist functions mainly as a scrub person in a hospital operating room. The technologist sets up the instruments, drapes, sutures, and supplies for surgical procedures, assists the surgeon and other operating team members with gowning and gloving for surgery, and hands instruments, sutures and supplies to the surgeon throughout the operative procedure.
Surgical technologists work closely with surgeons and registered nurses, are able to anticipate the needs of the physician during surgery, and assist in the care of the patient during surgical procedures.
Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Important Dates
Admission Requirements
Evidence of immunization is mandatory or a positive Rubella Titer. Students are strongly encouraged to take the Hepatitis B vaccine.
Steps for the application process for Surgical Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree:
- Completion of Sterile Processing Certificate does not guarantee placement into the Surgical Technology program.
- All students applying to an AAS degree at Anoka Technology College must meet course placement requirements or take Accuplacer test.
- Must have proof of the following:
- ATI TEAS: Adjusted Individual Total Score of 60% or higher
- Current CPR Requirement: American Heart Association BLS Provider, American Red Cross Basic Life Support/HeartCode BLS
Second year courses are restricted to students admitted to the Surgical Technology program. A medical exam is REQUIRED.
Accreditation
The Anoka Technical College Surgical Technology program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP):
9355 135th St N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
Accreditation Review Council (ARC/STSA)
6 W. Dry Creek Circle, Suite #110
Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: 303-694-9262
Fax: 303-741-3655
info@arcstsa.org
Background Study
Minnesota state law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with patients and/or residents at a health care facility have a background study conducted by the state.
Clinicals
Clinical hospitals are located in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Students must provide their own transportation to and from these assigned clinical sites and pay for any parking fees.
Course Prerequisites
Some courses in this program may require a prerequisite. Please see course descriptions for more details.
Program Sequence
MnTC General Education Requirements
|
| This program requires completion of the following nineteen credits of general education from at least three goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). |
BIOL 1106
|
Principles of Biology (Goal 2&3)
|
4
|
BIOL 2100
|
Anatomy & Physiology I (Goal 2&3)
|
4
|
BIOL 2200
|
Anatomy & Physiology II (Goal 2&3)
|
4
|
| PSYC 1406 General Psychology (Goal 5) or PSYC 1506 Lifespan Development (Goal 5) |
4
|
| SPCH 1200 Interpersonal Communication (Goal 1&7) or SPCH 1500 Intercultural Communication (Goal 1&7) or SPCH 1200 Public Speaking (Goal 1) |
3 |
First Semester
|
6
|
BIOL 1106
|
Principles of Biology |
4
|
COMP 1002
|
Computer Technologies for Communication |
2
|
Second Semester
|
10 |
BIOL 2100
|
Anatomy & Physiology I |
4
|
HLTH 1040
|
Medical Terminology |
2
|
| PSYC 1406 General Psychology or PSYC 1506 Lifespan Development |
4
|
Third Semester
|
12 |
BIOL 2200
|
Anatomy & Physiology II |
4
|
| SPCH 1200 Interpersonal Communication or SPCH 1500 Intercultural Communication or SPCH 1120 Public Speaking |
3 |
SURG 1003
|
|
3
|
SURG 1005
|
|
2
|
| Fourth Semester |
12
|
| SURG 1010 |
Surgical Pharmacology |
2
|
| SURG 1026 |
Operating Room Theory |
2
|
| SURG 1027 |
Operating Room Techniques |
4
|
| SURG 1035 |
Operating Room Procedures I |
4
|
| Fifth Semester |
20
|
| SURG 1037 |
Operating Room Procedures II |
4
|
| SURG 2000 |
OR (Operating Room) Clinical |
16
|
Graduation Requirements
All BIOL courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher. All other courses required for this program must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
Certification
Graduates of the Anoka Technical College Surgical Technology program will take the National Certification Examination for Surgical Technologists.
Certification Exam Results
National Certification Exam Results
|
January 2013
|
100% |
June 2013
|
100% |
January 2014
|
100% |
June 2014
|
100% |
June 2015
|
81% |
June 2016
|
100% |
January 2017
|
83% |
June 2017
|
100% |
January 2018
|
100% |
May 2018
|
93%
|
January 2019
|
100% |
June 2019
|
88%
|
Faculty
USDE Professional Licensure Disclosure
Our programs prepares students for the CST exam which is administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). According to AST (association of Surgical Technologists) the following states have passed law related to the education and certification of surgical technologists: Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Idaho. The following states require surgical technologists to register in order to work in the state: Colorado, North Dakota, and Washington. The following states offer optional registration/title protection for surgical technologists: Arkansas, Illinois, and Virginia. It appears AST has a resource for determining state laws for surgical technologists which can be found here: https://www.ast.org/Public_Policy/Legislative_Overview/. At this time we are unable to determine if our programs meet the licensure requirements for any state besides Minnesota.