Surgical Technology (SUR)

Shelby-Hoover Campus 

Donna Michelle Richardson, CST, Director/Advisor, 
Math-Science Building 116-B
(205) 983-5222 • djohns95@jeffersonstate.edu

Surgical technologists prepare the operating room, including the sterile field, setting up surgical equipment, supplies and solutions. During surgery, surgical technologists pass instruments, fluids and supplies to the surgeon and prepare and manage surgical equipment. Surgical technologists simultaneously manage the sterile field and specimens. Surgical technologists perform a count of sponges and supplies to prevent foreign retained objects. 

The Surgical Technology program prepares professional, highly competent, knowledgeable, ethical, and skilled Surgical Technologists to meet the growing demand for trained technologists in the College’s service area. The program is designed to be completed in two semesters. 

Admission Procedures/Requirements 

PUBLISHED GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. UPDATED INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED ON THE JEFFERSON STATE WEBSITE AS AVAILABLE 

Students must meet all the general admission requirements of JSCC. Students must submit a JSCC application to the Enrollment Services Office.

Students must submit a Surgical Technology Program application to the Program Director by the specified deadline. Students must possess a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. 

Students must attain a minimum of 16 composite score and a science score of 16 on the ACT and submit those scores to the Enrollment Services Office or have proof of earning a bachelor’s degree or higher. Scores or the transcript stating the degree must be included with the application and on file with enrollment services by the deadline. It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure that his or her application is complete.

Eligibility for ENG 101 and MTH 116. 

Students who have not previously attended college must possess a minimum High School GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 

Meet the essential functions or technical standards required for Surgical Technology.

Technical Performance and Criteria for the Surgical Technologist (Including, But Not Limited To):

1. Able to stand, bend, stoop, and/or sit for long periods of time in one location with minimum/no breaks.
2. Able to lift a minimum of 30 pounds.
3. Able to refrain from nourishment or restroom breaks for periods up to 6 hours.
4. Demonstrate sufficient visual ability enough to load a fine (10-0) suture onto needles and needle holders with/without corrective lenses and while wearing safety glasses.
5. Demonstrate sufficient peripheral vision to anticipate and function while in the sterile surgical environment.
6. Hear and understand muffled communication without visualization of the communicator’s mouth/lips and within 20 feet.
7. Hear or visualize activation/warning signals on equipment.
8. Able to detect odors sufficient to maintain environmental safety and patient needs.
9. Manipulate instruments, supplies and equipment with speed, dexterity, and good eye-hand coordination.
10. Independently mobile, with or without assistive devices.
11. Able to assist with and/or lift, move, position, and manipulate the patient who is unconscious with or without assistive devices.
12. Communicate and understand fluent English both verbally and in writing.
13. To be free of reportable communicable diseases and chemical abuse.
14. Able to demonstrate immunity (natural or acquired) to rubella, rubeola, tuberculosis, and to hepatitis B, or be vaccinated against these diseases, or willing to sign a waiver of release of liability regarding these diseases.
15. Possess short- and long-term memory sufficient to perform tasks such as, but not limited to, mentally tracking surgical supplies and performing anticipation skills intraoperatively.
16. Able to make appropriate judgment decisions.
17. Demonstrate the use of positive coping skills under stress.
18. Demonstrate calm and effective responses, especially in emergency situations.
19. Exhibit positive interpersonal skills during patient, staff, and faculty interactions.

Progression 

Students are referred to the “Program’s Progression Guideline” as published in the Surgical Technology Student Handbook and additional information on the Allied Health-Related Programs published in the “Admission to the College” section of the College Catalog and Student Handbook. All students admitted to the Surg Tech program are responsible for information contained in the handbook.

Letter grades for all Surg Tech courses are assigned according to the following system:

A:Excellent (90-100)     
B: Good (80-89) 
C: Average (75-79)
D: Poor (60-74)
F: Failure (below 60)
W: Withdrawal
WP: Withdrawal Passing 
I: Incomplete
AU: Audit
RW: Required Withdrawal

No rounding of test scores is done (ex. 78.6 is 78.6). Only the final grade is rounded: 0.5 or higher is raised to the next whole number.

Clinical Requirements 

Prior to beginning clinical experiences all the following items must be verified by the Surgical Technology Program Director:  

Current American Heart Association Health Care Provider (CPR) card. 

Physical examination form and Essential Functions form signed by a health care provider (DO/physician assistant/or Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP).

 A 2-step TB Skin test or QuantiFERON TB Gold blood test OR T-SPOT blood test. Documented evidence of Hepatitis B titer indicating evidence of immunity. 

Documented MMR immunization titer indicating evidence of immunity. 

Documented evidence of 2 Varicella titer indicating evidence of immunity. 

A negative drug screen. Fees for all drug screen testing must be paid by the student. 

Students must comply with any additional health requirements of clinical agencies, including being vaccinated for COVID-19. Please note, third-party health-related affiliates who partner with the College (i.e., hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare providers) may require students presenting inside their facilities to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination in order to participate in the clinical portion of the College’s health-related curriculum. 

The College has no control over policies mandated by these clinical affiliates. The College is not requiring vaccination or proof of vaccination, but its third-party clinical affiliates might. The College wants to notify you that if you are unable to adhere to policies mandated by clinical partners, you may be unable to successfully complete courses which require clinicals.