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SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM INFORMATION

To be considered for the program, you must complete both the Program Application and the Galveston College Admissions Application. 

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM APPLICATION

The Surgical Technologist Training Program offers comprehensive education and hands-on training for individuals aspiring to enter the dynamic field of surgical technology. This program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to assist surgeons and other healthcare professionals in the operating room.

Key components of the course include:

1. Anatomy and Physiology: Students will gain a deep understanding of human anatomy and physiology, with a focus on the structures and functions relevant to surgical procedures.
2. Surgical Procedures: The course covers a wide range of surgical procedures, including general surgery, orthopedic surgery, gynecological surgery, neurosurgery, and more. Students will learn about the equipment, instruments, and techniques used in each type of surgery.
3. Sterilization and Infection Control: Proper sterilization techniques and infection control protocols are essential in maintaining a safe surgical environment. Students will learn how to sterilize surgical instruments, maintain a sterile field, and prevent the spread of infection.
4. Surgical Instrumentation: Students will become familiar with a variety of surgical instruments and their uses. They will learn how to properly handle and pass instruments to surgeons during procedures.
5. Patient Care: Surgical technologists play a crucial role in patient care before, during, and after surgery. Students will learn how to prepare patients for surgery, assist with positioning and draping, and provide post-operative care.
6. Operating Room Procedures: The course covers operating room protocols and procedures, including safety practices, emergency protocols, and teamwork dynamics.
7. Medical Ethics and Legal Considerations: Students will explore ethical issues related to surgical technology practice, as well as legal considerations such as patient confidentiality and informed consent.
8. Clinical Practicum: Hands-on clinical experience is an integral part of the program. Students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world healthcare settings under the supervision of experienced surgical technologists and healthcare professionals.

Upon successful completion of the Surgical Technologist Training Program, students will be prepared to sit for the national certification exam to become certified surgical technologists (CSTs). Graduates of the program will be equipped with the skills and expertise needed to pursue rewarding careers in hospitals, surgical centers, and other healthcare facilities.

 

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL AND TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Students enrolled in the Galveston College Surgical Technology Program must be able to perform the essential physical, cognitive, sensory, and behavioral functions required to safely participate in classroom, laboratory, simulation, and clinical education experiences. These standards identify the fundamental abilities necessary to achieve the program's learning outcomes, perform the responsibilities of an entry-level surgical technologist, and provide safe, competent patient care.

The Essential Physical and Technical Standards are not intended to exclude qualified individuals with disabilities. Rather, they identify the essential abilities that all students must possess, with or without reasonable accommodation, to successfully complete the Surgical Technology Program and safely perform the essential functions of the profession.

In addition to complying with the Galveston College Student Code of Conduct, the Surgical Technology Student Handbook, and all applicable program and clinical affiliate policies, students are expected to demonstrate the following abilities throughout their enrollment in the program.

1. COGNITIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Students must possess the cognitive abilities necessary to make sound clinical judgments and successfully meet classroom, laboratory, simulation, and clinical objectives.

Students must be able to:

• Comprehend, retain, and apply new knowledge in classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings.
• Organize information, analyze situations, solve problems, and make appropriate clinical decisions.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, critical thinking, and professional reasoning in patient care situations.
• Perform mathematical calculations related to medication safety, measurements, specimen handling, and surgical procedures.
• Operate computers and utilize required educational software and electronic systems after appropriate instruction.

2. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Students must possess interpersonal abilities necessary to establish and maintain effective professional relationships.

Students must be able to:

• Establish professional rapport with patients, faculty, classmates, physicians, clinical preceptors, and healthcare personnel.
• Recognize and appropriately respond to the emotions, needs, and concerns of others.
• Demonstrate respect, integrity, sensitivity, tact, and emotional maturity in all interactions.
• Function effectively under stress while maintaining professionalism, patient safety, and composure.
• Work collaboratively as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.

3. COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Students must possess effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Students must be able to:

• Understand classroom instruction, written materials, medical terminology, patient information, and clinical directives.
• Communicate effectively with patients, faculty, classmates, surgeons, anesthesia personnel, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
• Accurately document required academic and clinical information.
• Interpret verbal and written instructions, feedback, and constructive criticism appropriately.
• Communicate effectively while wearing personal protective equipment and functioning within a fast-paced, high-noise operating room environment.

4. PHYSICAL MOBILITY

Students must possess sufficient physical mobility to safely participate in classroom, laboratory, simulation, and clinical activities.

Students must be able to:

• Maintain balance while standing, walking, bending, reaching, twisting, and moving in confined spaces.
• Move safely throughout the operating room and other healthcare environments.
• Demonstrate functional range of motion necessary to perform required patient care activities.
• Respond quickly during routine and emergency situations.
• Obtain and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers as required by the program.

5. GROSS MOTOR SKILLS AND PHYSICAL ENDURANCE

Students must possess adequate strength and endurance to safely perform the physical demands of the profession.

Students must be able to:

• Stand for prolonged surgical procedures, frequently for several consecutive hours, while maintaining concentration, sterile technique, and patient safety.
• Lift, position, support, and transfer patients using safe body mechanics and appropriate assistance when necessary.
• Push, pull, and maneuver surgical equipment, instrument carts, stretchers, and occupied hospital beds.
• Perform repetitive physical tasks while maintaining accuracy, endurance, and attention to detail.
• Respond rapidly to changing patient conditions and emergency situations.

6. FINE MOTOR SKILLS AND HAND-EYE COORDINATION

Students must possess sufficient manual dexterity to safely perform delicate surgical tasks.

Students must be able to:

• Manipulate small objects such as needles, sutures, delicate surgical instruments, and microsurgical equipment.
• Demonstrate precise hand-eye coordination necessary for safe instrument handling and passing.
• Load needles, handle delicate tissue, prepare medications, and manipulate fine surgical instruments while maintaining sterile technique.
• Perform controlled movements without excessive tremors or unnecessary motion.
• Maintain manual dexterity throughout prolonged surgical procedures.

7. AUDITORY SKILLS

Students must possess adequate hearing to safely function in the surgical environment.

Students must be able to:

• Hear normal and low-volume conversations.
• Hear monitor alarms, emergency signals, telephones, and patient calls for assistance.
• Hear and accurately respond to requests from surgeons and members of the surgical team despite background noise and the use of surgical masks.
• Differentiate auditory cues necessary for patient assessment and safe clinical practice.

8. VISUAL SKILLS

Students must possess visual abilities necessary to safely perform the responsibilities of a surgical technologist.

Students must be able to:

• Distinguish the full spectrum of colors and recognize subtle color changes in tissue, medications, and surgical supplies.
• Read medication labels, syringe markings, instrument markings, monitoring equipment, and fine print under varying lighting conditions.
• Continuously observe the sterile field, patient condition, surgical procedure, and operating room environment while recognizing changes that may affect patient safety.
• Sustain visual concentration for extended periods during surgical procedures.

9. TACTILE SKILLS AND SENSE OF SMELL

Students must possess tactile sensation and olfactory abilities sufficient to safely assess patients and the clinical environment.

Students must be able to:

• Detect vibrations, pulses, and other tactile cues.
• Differentiate physical characteristics through touch, including temperature, texture, size, shape, and location.
• Detect odors associated with infection, smoke, chemicals, anesthesia gases, or malfunctioning equipment that may affect patient or environmental safety.
• Recognize tactile and environmental changes requiring immediate intervention.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

Galveston College is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

Students requesting reasonable accommodations are responsible for contacting the College office responsible for accessibility services and completing the required accommodation process. Approved accommodations will be implemented in accordance with College policy.

Students receiving accommodations must still be able to perform the Essential Physical and Technical Standards of the Surgical Technology Program, with or without reasonable accommodation. The program is not required to provide accommodations that would fundamentally alter the nature of the curriculum, compromise patient safety, or eliminate essential program requirements.

Faculty members may implement only accommodations officially approved through the Galveston College accessibility services process. Students seeking reasonable accommodations should contact the Galveston College Counseling Center at 409-944-1223.

STUDENT WORK POLICY AND CLINICAL SAFEGUARDS

All student activities associated with the Surgical Technology curriculum, including clinical rotations, are educational in nature. Students must be readily identifiable as students at all times while participating in clinical education. Students will not receive monetary compensation for participation in clinical education experiences and may not be substituted for hired staff personnel at any clinical facility in the role or capacity of a surgical technologist. Students employed by a clinical facility must work only outside of scheduled clinical hours and must receive prior approval from the Surgical Technology faculty and the clinical employer. During scheduled clinical hours, students are under the supervision of Galveston College Surgical Technology faculty and designated clinical personnel. Outside of scheduled clinical hours, students who are employed by a clinical facility are under the supervision and policies of that facility.

OCCUPATIONAL RISKS

Students entering the Surgical Technology profession should understand that clinical education involves potential occupational exposure to hazards commonly encountered in healthcare environments.

Potential occupational risks include, but are not limited to:

• Blood and body fluid exposure
• Bloodborne pathogens
• Communicable diseases
• Latex and other environmental allergies
• Surgical smoke
• Radiation
• Laser energy
• Sharps injuries
• Chemical disinfectants and sterilants
• Physical demands associated with patient care

Prior to participating in clinical education, students are required to acknowledge these risks and agree to follow all established safety policies, Standard Precautions, and infection prevention practices.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS AND CLINICAL CLEARANCE

Students must complete all health requirements before participating in clinical education.

Requirements include, but are not limited to:

• Completed History and Physical Examination within the required timeframe.
• Current tuberculosis screening.
• Documentation of required immunizations or acceptable immunity (titers), including:
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Varicella
• Hepatitis B
• Annual influenza vaccination, when required by the clinical affiliate.
• Any additional immunizations or screenings required by assigned clinical facilities.

Clinical affiliates establish their own health requirements. Students are responsible for meeting all clinical affiliate requirements before beginning clinical rotations. Failure to maintain required health documentation may delay or prevent participation in clinical education.

CHANGES IN HEALTH STATUS

Students are responsible for notifying the Program Director of any significant change in health status that may affect their ability to safely participate in classroom, laboratory, or clinical activities.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Significant illness
• Surgery
• Physical injury
• Communicable disease
• Hospitalization

A healthcare provider's written release may be required before the student is permitted to return to classroom, laboratory, or clinical activities.

 ALLERGY AND LATEX SENSITIVITY

Students who experience symptoms consistent with latex sensitivity or any significant allergy to surgical products or clinical materials must notify the Program Director immediately and seek medical evaluation.

Documentation from a licensed healthcare provider may be required. Clinical affiliates may require additional documentation before permitting students to return to clinical education.

Students are responsible for any missed clinical time resulting from delayed medical documentation.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Students diagnosed with a communicable disease that could place patients, classmates, faculty, or healthcare personnel at risk may be temporarily restricted from classroom, laboratory, or clinical participation until medically cleared.

Medical clearance from a licensed healthcare provider may be required before returning to program activities.

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS AND EXPOSURE CONTROL

The Surgical Technology Program follows current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and clinical affiliate policies regarding Standard Precautions and exposure prevention.

Students are expected to:

• Consistently utilize Standard Precautions.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Follow infection prevention practices.
• Report all exposure incidents immediately.
• Complete all required post-exposure procedures established by the clinical affiliate.

EXPOSURE INCIDENTS

Any exposure to blood, body fluids, sharps injuries, or other potentially infectious materials must be reported immediately to the clinical instructor, clinical preceptor, and Program Director.

Students are responsible for following the exposure control policy of the assigned clinical facility and obtaining recommended medical evaluation and follow-up.

Expenses associated with medical evaluation or treatment may be the responsibility of the student, depending upon the policies of the clinical affiliate and the student's personal health insurance.

CLINICAL ASSIGNMENT CONSIDERATIONS

Clinical assignments are designed to provide students with a broad range of educational experiences while ensuring patient safety, student safety, and achievement of the program's clinical learning outcomes. Clinical rotations are structured to expose students to a variety of surgical specialties, procedures, patient populations, and healthcare environments that support the development of entry-level competency.

Clinical assignments are made by program faculty in collaboration with clinical affiliates and are based on educational objectives, clinical site availability, student progression, and the ability of each clinical site to provide appropriate learning experiences. Assignments may be modified at any time to meet program needs, ensure patient safety, comply with clinical affiliate policies, or address unforeseen circumstances.

The Surgical Technology Program is committed to providing equitable educational opportunities for all students. Every effort is made to ensure that each student has access to a fair and balanced variety of clinical experiences necessary to develop required competencies and successfully meet the minimum clinical case requirements established by the program and accrediting standards. While students may not have identical clinical schedules or perform the exact same surgical procedures, the program strives to provide comparable educational opportunities that support successful completion of program requirements.

Students should understand that clinical assignments are not based on personal preference and may vary due to factors such as:

• Clinical site availability and scheduling.
• Surgical case volume and specialty distribution.
• Availability of qualified clinical preceptors and faculty.
• Patient census and procedure scheduling.
• Student learning needs and progression through the curriculum.
• Clinical affiliate policies and operational requirements.

Students are expected to demonstrate professionalism, flexibility, and adaptability throughout all clinical experiences. Requests for changes to clinical assignments will be considered on an individual basis but cannot be guaranteed and must not compromise the educational needs of the cohort or the operational needs of the clinical affiliate.

Participation in assigned clinical experiences is a required component of the Surgical Technology curriculum. Students are expected to report to their assigned clinical site as scheduled and comply with all Galveston College and clinical affiliate policies and procedures.

 

 

The Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

To contact the ARC/STSA
6 W. Dry Creek Circle, Suite#110
Littleton, CO. 80120
303-694-9262
[email protected]

Surgical Technologist: $ 57,098¹

¹Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2024