Surgical Technology FAQs

Life in the operating room (OR) can be hectic and demanding, with life-threatening emergencies often occurring despite hours of careful planning and prep. As a key member of the team, the surgical technologist must anticipate the needs of the patient and the surgeon to ensure that each operation goes as smoothly as possible.

A.  Preoperative: Sterile Hands
The surgical technologist is the first person to enter the OR before surgery. During this preoperative phase the surgical technologist adheres closely to the following routine:
•    Carefully dons his or her operating room attire, including scrubs
•    Begins to prepare and sterilize the room
•    Gathers all the equipment and surgical tools that the surgery requires
•    Sterilizes, counts and carefully arranges them
The most important part of this preoperative phase is creating and maintaining the OR’s sterile environment. Sterile fields can be compromised in a variety of ways, the most common of which is by introducing moisture. To prevent this, the surgical technologist is responsible for arranging dry drapes around the operating table and keeping all surfaces in a sterile condition.
B.  Intraoperative: The Third Hand
During the intraoperative phase of the surgery, surgical technologists are still responsible for maintaining the sterility of the OR, but they also effectively become a “third hand” to the surgeon and surgeon’s assistant during the procedure and perform the following tasks:
•    Help prepare medications and administer them to the patient
•    Assist in retracting tissues from the patient
•    Passes the surgical tools to the surgeon and surgical assistant during the operation
At any time during an operation, if a tool is missing or contaminated, the delay or resulting infection could cost a patient his or her life. That is why surgical technologists must be diligent and thorough at all times.
C.    Postoperative: Tying Things Up
As the operation concludes, surgical techs are responsible for the following:
•    Counting all the tools and instruments used during surgery to ensure that nothing is left behind in a patient
•    Suture the incision and apply disinfected dressings to the area
•    Dispose of items such as needles and gauze, and continue to maintain the OR’s sterile environment until the patient is sent to the recovery ward

Thinking-On-Your-Feet: Cell Phones in the OR
While surgical techs aren’t expected to work miracles, they must be able to think quickly on their feet in emergency situations. During a recent hospital blackout and emergency generator failure, one quick-thinking surgical tech, with the help of the patient’s family member, rounded up enough cell phones to illuminate the OR while surgeons completed an emergency appendectomy.
(https://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/medical-technician/what-surgical…)
 

Excellent! There is an increasing demand for qualified technologist in all areas. Employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. Advances in medical technology have made surgery safer, and more operations are being done to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. (bls.gov)

$48,300 per year; $23.22 per hour. (bls.gov) There are also many opportunities for earning additional income through shift differential and call back pay.

Shift work hours are available around the clock at hospitals. Ambulatory Surgery Centers and other medical facilities offer day shift with no weekends or holidays.

The course schedule is currently being created and updated. There are four semesters in this program and a new semester begins in August.

Cost for in-state students is $104.39 per credit hour (the rate for out-of-state students is $379.61 per credit hour). Since this is a 64 College Credit hour course, the tuition would be $6,680.96 ($24,295.04 for out-of-state). In addition, approximately $600.00 would be needed for textbooks. Approximately $400.00 for lab fees, uniforms, etc.

* Tuition: Health sciences credit classes cost per hour are the same as any other HCC credit course except for Dental Assisting. Dental Assisting is a Post-Secondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) program and the cost for PSAV classes is calculated differently from credit courses. For specific information on the credits for each course and the tuition costs, refer to the current College catalog. 

Tuition is paid each term, and the amount of tuition owed is a total of the number of credit hours that the student is enrolled in for that term times the hourly tuition cost.  The exception is Dental Assisting and the costs for this program are calculated on a clock hour formula.

Other required costs: Books, uniforms, laboratory, and other fees are additional expenses that are required and are paid by the student. Books and fees occur each term. These costs are significant. In addition to the above costs, all students are responsible for transportation, parking, and insurance (if applicable) and the following fees: Health Science application fee, drug test fee, experiential credit fee (if applicable), and transcript fee. There may be additional fees for background screening and other requirements.

Financial Aid: Federal, State and institutional financial aid is available for qualified students. Applicants should contact their campus Financial Aid Office for the appropriate forms and processing procedures. Interested students may also access this information at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Scholarships: Hospitals and health care institutions, local and national employers, professional organizations, and private individuals have created scholarships through foundations including the HCC Foundation to assist students in health sciences programs. Contact an HCC Counselor for further information on these opportunities.

Wings: The Wings Program is a special services program designed and administered to assist AS and Certificate Program students who are receiving a Pell Grant. Assistance may include textbook vouchers, partial tuition, and partial childcare assistance. Contact the Wings Coordinator at 813.253.7046 for further information.

There is a certification exam that receives national recognition in surgical technology. Every state recognizes certification for employment. As a condition of graduation all students enrolled in the program are required to take the national certification exam. There is a $190.00 charge for the examination, which is paid by the college when applications for the exam are submitted to the National Board of Surgical Technologist and Surgical Assistance. The examination is administered electronically and is administered at Hillsborough Community College following the completion of the program. Students successful in passing the certification exam will receive the credentials of Certified Surgical Technologist.

Although no license is required, you will be required to apply for national certification. Some employers in this area require certification as a condition of your employment.

Freshman Composition 1-3 Cred (ENC1101), Gen Ed Math-3Cred (MAC, MGF,STA), Psychology or Sociology-3 Cred (PSY 2012/SYG 2000), Anatomy & Physiology with Labs-8Cred (BSC 2085&L BSC2086 &L) Humanities Gen Ed-3 Cred (can be taken during First term of Surgical Technology)

There is not placement test required, but students must have a minimum 2.8 GPA in the prerequisite courses.

Yes. Over 700 hours of clinical training are part of this program.

Courses in Human Anatomy & Physiology, College Composition, Math, and Medical Terminology will be considered for transfer credit by the admissions officer.

The program is offered once an academic year, with a start date in August. Applications are accepted anytime during the year for the next academic year. The application deadline for Fall will be February 15. The application deadline for Spring will be September 15. Applicants must have completed all the prerequisite courses with a Cumulative GPA of at least 2.8 or better. Selection will be based on the applicant’s cumulative GPA, completion of prerequisite coursework, attendance at the required information session. Completion of these requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. All applicants that have completed the requirements will be considered for selection into the program. The initial class will consist of eight (8) students.

All applicants are required to attend the mandatory program information session. Dates and times of the session will be announced during the Spring Semester.

Once accepted to the program, applicants will be required to complete a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Level II Background Screening. This includes Fingerprinting and Drug Screening. Applicants must not have been found guilty of any Felony offense regardless of adjudication. Final acceptance into the program is subject to the results of the FDLE.