This full-time, Associate Degree program prepares students to work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses, and other operating room personnel to deliver patient care in the operating room.  The program prepares students to handle instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure; to understand the procedures being performed and anticipate the needs of the surgeon; to have the necessary knowledge and ability to provide quality patient care during the operative procedure and maintain sterile technique.

Technical standards: The physical activity level for surgical technologists is classified as “medium” by the Department of Labor in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

Note: Many courses require prerequisites, corequisites and/or testing. See course descriptions for details.

General Policies

See important general policies in the beginning of this section on the performance-based Health Sciences application process, academic progress, advanced placement, background check, CPR certification, health insurance, health records, reinstatement, transportation, uniforms, and equipment.

Minimum Requirements to Apply to the Surgical Technology Program

1. CCRI application – Complete and submit a CCRI Application for Enrollment. General Studies should be the first choice; Pre-surgical technology (SURG) should be the second choice.
2. High school transcript – Send an official copy of the applicant’s high school or GED® transcript, including date of graduation. If the applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, the high school transcript may be waived; a college transcript must indicate completion and degree awarded.
3. CCRI uses a multiple measures approach to determine admission into Health Science programs (For example: High School and GED® transcripts, SAT, ACT, HESI A2 or ACCUPLACER scores). Placement can also be determined by taking college level English and Math courses. Anyone with a degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution may have this requirement waived following submission of the official college transcript. If using ACCUPLACER, the following guidelines are used:
   • Placement testing – Complete a standardized test (ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION) issued by CCRI’s Advising Center.
   • Reading comprehension – Competency of 259 or above is required for reading comprehension or completion of Reading and Study Skills Program (ENGL 1002) with a grade of B- or better.
4. Complete the following Application Requirement courses with a grade of C or better: 
   • Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2201)
   • Medical Terminology (MEDL 2350)
5. HESI A2 Preadmission Test (For more information on the HESI test, click here)
6. GPA – Earn and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better for all college courses taken.
7. Health Sciences application – Complete and submit the Performance-Based Health Sciences application including a preadmission degree evaluation during the open enrollment period. The application and instructions can be found on the Admissions webpage.
   • Important: All the above requirements must be completed satisfactorily before submission of the Performance-Based Health Sciences application and do not guarantee acceptance to the program. Acceptance will be conditional upon completing the remaining program prerequisite courses (14 credits) during the spring application semester (February). 
8. Background check – When directed by notification from One Stop Student Services, students must submit a background check.  Results of BCI may prevent admission due to clinical agencies' requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:

1. Correlate the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and microbiology to their role as a surgical technologist
2. Demonstrate a safe level of practice and knowledge in their role as a surgical technologist
3. Identify the purpose and principles for maintaining environmental control in the operating room suite
4. Identify the various classifications of surgical armamentarium, including instrumentation, sutures, and equipment used during the perioperative experience
5. Acquire an understanding of the ethical, legal, moral, and medical values related to the patient and the operating room team during the perioperative experience
6. Identify the elements, actions, and use of medications and anesthetics used during the perioperative experience
7. Demonstrate knowledge and utilize relevant medical terminology
8. Demonstrate safe practice techniques in regard to perioperative routines, patient transportation, positioning, and emergency procedures
9. Demonstrate and integrate principles of surgical asepsis and carry out the principles and techniques of medical asepsis as part of the perioperative experience
10. Communicate effectively using both written and oral formats

Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education Requirements
BIOL 2201	Human Anatomy & Physiology I MSCI; Information Literacy; Scientific Reasoning	4
BIOL 2202	Human Anatomy & Physiology II MSCI; Information Literacy; Scientific Reasoning	4
BIOL 2210	Introductory Microbiology MSCI; Written Communication; Quantitative Literacy	4
COMM 1010	Communication Fundamentals^ HUMN; Non-Written Communication; Social and Professional Responsibilities	3
ENGL 1010	Composition I ((or ENGL 1010A)) HUMN; Written Communication; Information Literacy	3
Humanities Elective HUMN		3
MATH 1175	Statistics for the Health and Social Sciences MSCI; Scientific Reasoning; Quantitative Literacy	3
PSYC 1030	Psychology of Personal Adjustment SSCI; Critical Thinking; Social and Professional Responsibilities	3
PSYC 2010	General Psychology SSCI; Critical Thinking; Scientific Reasoning	4
Social Science Elective SSCI		3
General Education Subtotal		34
Major Requirements
MEDL 2350	Medical Terminology	3
SURG 1000	Fundamentals of Surgical Technology	4
SURG 1001	Surgical Procedures I	6
SURG 2002	Surgical Procedures II	6
SURG 2003	Surgical Procedures III	4
SURG 2500	Surgical Technology Clinical Internship^	4
Major Requirements Subtotal		27
Total Hours		61

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Work-based learning course

Recommended Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid

Prerequisites		Hours
BIOL 2201	Human Anatomy & Physiology I	4
MEDL 2350	Medical Terminology	3
	Hours	7
Year 1
Semester 1
SURG 1000	Fundamentals of Surgical Technology	4
BIOL 2202	Human Anatomy & Physiology II	4
ENGL 1010	Composition I	3
PSYC 1030	Psychology of Personal Adjustment	3
	Hours	14
Semester 2
SURG 1001	Surgical Procedures I	6
MATH 1175	Statistics for the Health and Social Sciences	3
COMM 1010	Communication Fundamentals^	3
Social Science Elective		3
	Hours	15
Year 2
Semester 1
SURG 2002	Surgical Procedures II	6
BIOL 2210	Introductory Microbiology	4
PSYC 2010	General Psychology	4
Humanities Elective		3
	Hours	17
Semester 2
SURG 2003	Surgical Procedures III	4
SURG 2500	Surgical Technology Clinical Internship^	4
	Hours	8
	Total Hours	61

^

Work-based learning course

Transfer

Please meet with an Academic Advisor/Student Success Coach if you are interested in earning a bachelor's degree. Your Academic Advisor will help you select the courses that best prepare you for transfer to a four-year college or university.

Check out the Joint Admissions Agreement if you are interested in transferring to Rhode Island College or the University of Rhode Island. The JAA program offers seamless transfer to RIC or URI with additional benefits. Transfer information, events, and articulations are available on the Transfer Center website.