Surgical Technology

An introduction to the general principles of human anatomy and physiology with emphasis on the structure and function of the cell, tissues, and the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, and lymphatic systems. Three lecture hours. (Fall, Spring and Summer Semester)

This course will present the student with a study of medical terminology mostly relating to the field of surgery.  Prefixes, suffixes, root words, combining forms, special endings, pleural forms abbreviations, and symbols will be included in the content.  A programmed learning, word building system will be used to learn word parts that are used to construct and/or analyze new terms.  This will provide the student with the opportunity to decipher unfamiliar terms and check their spelling.  Emphasis will be on pronunciation.  Abbreviations will be introduced as related terms are presented. (This course is taken prior to the beginning of the first semester.)

This course introduces the student to the role of the health care team. Operating room organization, medical terminology, aseptic technique, surgical supplies, basic instrumentation and basic surgical routines will be emphasized. Introductory surgical regional anatomy will be discussed, as well as surgical microbiology as it pertains to sterilization and disinfection. Beginning aspects of the ethical/legal aspects of patient care will be introduced. Learning activities will take place in the classroom, simulated on-campus operating room, a hospital operating room and the Central Service Department of the hospital. (Fall and Spring Semesters)

A continuation of Anatomy and Physiology I. Study of the respiratory, nervous, endocrine, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Fluid and electrolyte balance also studied. Three lecture hours. (Fall, Spring and Summer)

The course seeks to aid the communication process by developing the ability to write clear, concise, expository prose, with emphasis on pre-writing and revision. It assists the student in finding a voice and an audience. A research paper is required, thus techniques of writing a formal research paper are reviewed. (Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters)

This course focuses on the scrub duties and expanded instrumentation. Sterilization and disinfection will be continued as will further exploration of the ethical/legal aspects of surgical patient care and student accountability. Assisting with circulating duties and wound healing and closure concepts will be introduced. Wound closure materials and stapling devices will be explored in detail. Specialty equipment such as the use of electrocautery and the use of LASER equipment also will be introduced. Regional surgical anatomy will continue to be discussed. The care of the anesthetized patient will be included. Learning activities will take place in the classroom, in the simulated on-campus operating room and hospital operating rooms. (Fall and Spring Semester)

The study of scientific principles of Microbiology emphasizing the isolation and identification of pathogenic organisms to man in areas of bacteriology, mycology, virology and parasitology. The culture, morphology, general physiology, immunology and applied aspects of the representative micro-organisms will be studied. Three lecture hours. (Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters)

This course provides students foundations in algebra and statistics as preparation for the demands of quantitative reasoning in the field of business. Topics on algebra include: function, linear, quadratic, radicals, exponential, logarithmic, and inverse functions. Topics on statistics include: measures of central tendency, measures of variations, measures of positions, counting principles, probability, expected value, and regressions. Applications to business and finance problems are a focus.

This course will focus on an overview of the surgical specialties: general surgery which includes gastro-intestinal and biliary surgical procedures, gynecology, genitourinary surgery, ear, nose and throat surgery, and head and neck surgery. Surgical procedures will be discussed in relation to supplies, instrumentation and equipment. Surgical pathology, intraoperative patient care, the sequence of the surgical procedures, as well as potential complications will be presented. Clinical practice takes place in hospital operating rooms, as well as other intraoperative care facilities. (Fall and Spring Semester)

Modern medicine and health care have created new human ethical problems. This course will explore a number of medical ethical dilemmas, such as end-of-life decisions, defining the concept of death, ordinary versus extraordinary means of treatment, reproductive issues, informed consent, confidentiality, truth-telling, withholding treatment, and the distribution of scarce medical resources, in the light of the principles of autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice. One semester of clinical experience is strongly recommended. (Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters)

This course is a continuation of ST 201. It will focus on an overview of surgical specialties. Special consideration of the pediatric and older adult will be discussed. Transplant surgery including kidney, heart and lung will be explored. Clinical practice takes place in hospital operating rooms, as well as other intraoperative care facilities. During this last semester, as the student prepares for professional practice, further legal, and employment dimensions will be discussed. (Fall and Spring Semesters)