Surgical Technology

Donnis Hunter, Program Director
Allied Health Building, Office 125
(409) 984-6372
hunterdt@lamarpa.edu

The Surgical Technology Program operates in the belief that all individuals should be:

• Treated with dignity and respect;


• Afforded equal opportunity to acquire a complete educational experience;


• Given an opportunity to discover and develop their special aptitudes and insights;


• Provided an opportunity to equip themselves for a fulfilling life and responsible citizenship in a world characterized by change.

Program Description

Surgical technologists are responsible for preparing sterile supplies and equipment for surgical procedures, for assisting surgeons during operative procedures by passing instruments, ensuring that equipment in the surgical suite functions properly and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety.

The Surgical Technology Program provides an instructional experience for students designed to prepare graduates for an entry-level position as a surgical technologist and successful completion of the national certification requirements. Courses ensure that students acquire the skills necessary to function in the surgical suite and deliver competent care to patients.

Individuals interested in enrolling in the Surgical Technology Program must apply to the program. Surgical Technology Program admission forms, criteria and admission procedures are available from the Allied Health Department. Applications are due approximately June 15 of each year. Admission to the program is based upon academic success. Applicants must pass all sections of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) in order to enter the Surgical Technology Program. Applicants selected to enroll in the program will begin classes in the Fall Semester.

The Surgical Technology Program provides students with a clear path to earning a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Uses appropriate terminology related to anatomy and physiology, instruments, suturing, accessory equipment, and specialized equipment associated with surgical procedures.
• Operates as a surgical technologist in the scrub role during all basic surgical procedures.
• Demonstrates a surgical consciousness that promotes maintenance of a sterile field.
• Practices within the legal and ethical framework of the surgical technologist.

Faculty

1. Donnis Hunter, LVN, CST, SA-C
2. Truman Hare, CST

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Surgical Technology Program is a two-phase process. During Phase I, the student must complete the application process for general admission to LSCPA by applying on line via www.applytexas.org.

During Phase II, the student must review the application process for the Surgical Technology Program, complete the Surgical Technology Program application packet and deliver the application to personnel in the Allied Health Department. Students also will be required to go to the Student Success Center to take the Surgical Technology Program’s Pre-Admission Examination and complete the Interview Questionnaire.

Pre-Admission Examination

Prospective students must take the Pre-Admission Exam at the LSCPA Student Success Center between June 1 and the application due date of June 15. The Pre-Admission Exam is a 100-question multiple choice exam taken from the final exams of the five prerequisite courses. This exam is used as an evaluation tool and is not the deciding factor in admission to the program.

The Application Guidelines

The Application Guidelines are designed to answer common questions, outline program requirements, and provide you with the following items:

1. Application and procedure for admission to the Surgical Technology Program.
2. Information about the required health exam.
3. Guidance to obtain financial aid.
4. Program of study and surgical technology course descriptions.

Selection Criteria

Students will be ranked according to their scores on the 11-item Admission Rating Scale. Students will receive 3 points for an A, 2 points for a B, and 1 point for a C on each of the prerequisite courses as well as points based on the number of academic credit hour courses the student has completed with a C or better. The Pre-Admission Exam score will be documented on this scale. The scores will then be tallied and placed in numerical order from greatest to least with the top 16 students getting acceptance letters. This scale has been developed by the Surgical Technology Standards Committee composed of surgical technology faculty. The goal of the Surgical Technology Standards Committee is the selection of the best qualified applicants. Lamar State College Port Arthur is an open access institution, and all slots will be filled with the most qualified applicants available in any given admission period.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate a student must:

1. Earn a "C" or better in ALL courses in the Recommended Program of Study. All Surgical Technology courses (SRGT) require a minimum score of 75% for a grade of “C.”
2. Submit an application to the National Board of Surgical Technology & Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to take the Certified Surgical Technology Exam and pay associated fees.
3. Submit LSCPA graduation application and pay associated fees.

Lamar State College Port Arthur is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, handicap, or national origin.

Background Check Information

Potential students must have a clear background check through CastleBranch before admittance to the program. Students with a criminal history must receive approval review for compliance with the Texas State Department of Aging and Disability Services. The background check process is also required by the clinical facilities which provide direct patient care experience to LSCPA students. This ensures uniform compliance with Joint Commission standards pertaining to human resource management. Successful completion of the background check process prior to beginning the surgical technology program does not guarantee certification or employment after graduation.

Health Screening/Immunization Requirements

Once accepted into the Surgical Technology Program, each student must have a

1. Physical exam by a physician or nurse practitioner of their choice on the LSCPA provided Physical Examination document.
2. Drug Screening after registering through CastleBranch
3. Show documentation of the clinical agency required immunizations
   1. MMR
   2. Tdap – Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis; (within last 10 years)
   3. Hepatitis B (3 shot series)
   4. Varicella/Chickenpox (documentation of having the disease or vaccination)
   5. Tb – T-SPOT; TB Gold; Tb Skin Test – Good for one year; Chest X-ray – Good for two years
   6. Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (documentation from physician if unable to have the Influenza vaccination)
   7. Bacterial meningitis. Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination is required for all new students under age 22. This includes ALL transfer students and students that have taken either a fall or spring semester off from college. All first-time freshman, transfer students, and students who have taken a leave of absence from school in either a fall or spring semester must have received this vaccination during the five-year period immediately preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first day of the semester enrolled or re-enrolled.
   8. COVID-19 Vaccine or guidance on obtaining an approved exemption through clinical facilities will be provided

The physical exam, drug screen, and immunizations must be completed at the student's expense and uploaded to the student's CastleBranch account before the students can be admitted to a clinical site. Immunizations are available at the Health Department, local health clinic, or a local pharmacy.

Student Handbook

The Student Handbook contains general guidelines, procedures, policies and information specific to Lamar State College Port Arthur Surgical Technology Program students seeking admission to, admitted to and/or enrolled. The Surgical Technology Program Student Handbook also contains supplements in the Appendices providing specific guidelines and procedures. These supplements are to be used in conjunction with the College Catalog and syllabus for each course. Strong effort is made to keep the information current; however, policy and procedural changes may be made at any time. It is the responsibility of the student to keep current through didactic and clinical instructors and online sources. Please review the information carefully.

Uniform and Dress Code Policy

The comfort, security, and wellbeing of the patient is dependent upon the surgical technologist’s level of knowledge and competence; however, in addition to this, it is influenced by the surgical technologist’s personal hygiene, appearance, and behavior. Poor grooming and inappropriate behavior may convey to the patient and family a feeling of carelessness. Students who are participating in the clinical requirements or other designated activities of the LSCPA Surgical Technology Program will be attired appropriately as set forth by the guidelines of the program and/or the policy of the hospital or agency where the student is participating. The following guidelines are established to promote the professional appearance of the student during simulation experiences, data collection and clinical experiences.

• All students will wear the official uniform of the LSCPA Surgical Technology Program at all times during scheduled simulations and clinical experiences, except in specialty areas where the hospital provides scrub suits or clinical facilities where the facility requires street clothes.
• Required Uniform:
  • Lab Jacket - White, Thigh Long
  • Unisex Scrub Pants with ties - Ceil Blue
  • Unisex Scrub Top - Ceil Blue
  • LSCPA Patch (Frank's Medical Mart) - Navy and White

Skills/Simulation Learning Laboratories

The goal of the surgical skills/simulation lab is to provide an opportunity for you to become competent with your new skills and clinical thinking and thereby becoming a safe practitioner while working towards excellence in the operating room. The number of hours required for study and preparation for skills and simulation experiences will be considerably more than for a general education course. Much of this study and preparation must be done in the campus Simulation or Skills Learning Lab.

Clinical Case Requirements for Graduation

FIRST SCRUB: (All Five Criteria)

• Verify supplies and equipment needed for the surgical procedure.
• Set up the sterile field with instruments, supplies, equipment, medication(s) and solutions needed for the procedure.
• Perform counts with circulator prior to the procedure and before the incision is closed.
• Pass instruments and supplies to the sterile surgical team members during the procedure.
• Maintain sterile technique as measured by recognized breaks in technique and demonstrate knowledge of how to correct with appropriate technique.

• Sponging
• Suctioning
• Cutting Suture
• Holding Retractors
• Manipulating Endoscopic Camera

OBSERVATION: (Student did not met criteria for first or second scrub.)

• Student observed case in the OR not counted as toward required case count, but is documented by program.
• Clinical procedure sheets are to be completed and signed each day before leaving the hospital.
• Students are expected to complete a total of 120 scrubbed procedures during the combined semesters of SRGT 1461 Clinical Practice I and SRGT 1462 Clinical Practice II.
• The total number of cases the student must complete is 120.
• Students are required to complete 30 cases in General Surgery.
• Twenty of the cases must be First Scrub Role.
• Students are required to complete 90 cases in various surgical specialties.
• Sixty of the cases must be First Scrub Role and evenly distributed between a minimum of four surgical specialties.
• The Surgical Technology Program is required to verify through the surgical rotation documentation the students progression in First and Second Scrubbing surgical procedures of increased complexity as he/she moves toward entry level graduate abilities.
• Diagnostic endoscopy cases and vaginal delivery cases are not mandatory, but up to 10 diagnostic endoscopy cases and 5 vaginal delivery cases can be counted toward the maximum number of second scrub role cases.
• Observation cases must be documented, but do not count toward the 120 required cases.

COUNTING CASES: Cases will be counted according to surgical specialty. Examples: Trauma patients that require a splenectomy and a repair of a Lefort 1 fracture. Two cases can be counted and documented since the splenectomy is in the general surgery specialty and the repair of the Lefort I fracture is Oral-maxillofacial specialty. Patients require a breast biopsy followed by mastectomy. It is one pathology, breast cancer, and the specialty is general surgery; therefore it is counted and documented as one procedure-one case.

Students not completing a minimum of 120 cases scrubbed in General, Genitourinary, Gynecology, Orthopedic, and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeries will be reviewed by the (NBSTSA) National Board of Surgical Technology And Surgical Assisting to determine eligibility to test for certification.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS NECESSARY TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF A STUDENT IN THE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Physical Requirements: The position of the Surgical Technologist student has been given a strength rating of MEDIUM WORK by the US Dictionary of Occupational Titles (exerting up to 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10-15 pounds of force frequently, and or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.) Included in the essential functions of this position are lifting, carrying, positioning and moving patients both manually and by stretcher. When performing these functions with large patients, the strength necessary may exceed the DOT rating. The student Surgical Technologist position also includes prolonged periods of standing, frequent bending, reaching, twisting, occasional sitting, and exposure to changes in temperature/humidity and fumes. Both hands are used for power grip, speed and precision work. Use of both feet is required.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to gather, collate or classify information about data, people, or objects. Reporting and/or carrying out a prescribed action in relation to the information is frequently involved.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of colors.

Manual Dexterity/Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to use body members, tools or special devices to work, move, guide, or place objects or materials. Involves some latitude for judgement with regard to precision attained and selecting appropriate tool, object, or material, although this is readily manifest. Must have good eye/hand/feet coordination.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires talking with and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving assignments and/or directions to helpers or assistants.

Resources:

• Surgical Technology Program Application Package (PDF)
• Surgical Technology Program Application Package (Word)

LSCPA Book Store

The Lamar State College Port Arthur Bookstore has the majority of the required and recommended textbooks and resources needed for the Surgical Technology Program.

Important Information to Know

Successful completion of the program allows graduates to complete the Certified Surgical Technologist Exam administered through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

The Surgical Technology Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA), and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). In compliance with CAAHEP’s change to Standard V.A.4 in the accreditation Standards, each Surgical Technology program MUST publish ARC/STSA approved Outcomes Assessment Exam (OAE) pass-rate from the program’s most recently submitted Annual Report.

The Annual Pass rates for Lamar State College-Port Arthur’s Certified Surgical Technologist Exam:

• 2012-2013 is 100%
• 2013-2014 is 88%
• 2014-2015 is 100%
• 2015-2016 is 100%
• 2016-2017 is 100%
• 2017-2018 is 82%
• 2018-2019 is 93%
• 2019-2020 is 77%
• 2020-2021 is 72%
• 2021-2022 is 85%
• 2022-2023 is 69%

Job Opportunities

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics surgical technology graduates can expect a much greater than average increase in job opportunities. Employment of surgical Technology graduates is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030. About 9,000 openings for surgical technologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Surgery technology graduates are employed in hospitals, labor & delivery units, surgery centers, physician offices, and other health-care facilities. www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm

What kind of salary can I expect?

According to O*NET OnLine the role of Surgical Technologist has a bright outlook and the local annual salary is typically $50,770. Other areas of the state may have a slightly higher salary range. [https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292055.htm#st]

How long does it take to complete the Surgical Technology Program?

The typical amount of time to complete an associate’s degree is two years. 

What is the pre-admission test? How long does it take to complete? Where can I take the pre-admission test?

The pre-admission test is a tool used to evaluate the knowledge you gained in the prerequisite courses. It is a 100 question multiple choice test that is made from the final exams of our 5 prerequisite courses. I have allotted 4 hours to take the test and to answer the questionnaire. Most students finish in 2 hours. The test is taken at the LSCPA Student Success Center between June 1 and July 15.

When do you select applications for the Surgical Technology Program?

Applications are due by July 15 of each year. Applications are reviewed and the acceptance or denial letters will be mailed out the following week.

How often does the Surgical Technology Program begin a new class?

The Surgical Technology Program runs one class per year. We start a new program each Fall Semester.

How are students selected for the Surgical Technology Program?

Students will be ranked according to their scores on the 11-item Surgical Technology Program Admission Rating Scale. Students will receive 3 points for an A, 2 points for a B, and 1 point for a C on each of the prerequisite courses as well as points based on the number of academic credit hour courses the student has completed with a C or better. The Pre-Admission Exam score will be documented on the scale; however, it is not used in the calculation of points. The scores will then be tallied and placed in numerical order from greatest to least with the top 16 students getting acceptance letters. This scale has been developed by the Surgical Technology Standards Committee composed of surgical technology faculty. The goal of the Surgical Technology Standards Committee is the selection of the best qualified applicants. Lamar State College Port Arthur is an open access institution. All slots will be filled with the most qualified applicants available in any given admission period. The class size is limited by the capacity of the clinical sites; therefore, we admit 16 students per class.

When will I know if I have been selected to enter the Surgical Technology Program?

You should receive an email with an acceptance, alternate or a denial letter around the middle of July.

If I am not accepted into the Surgical Technology Program this year, will I be placed on a waiting list?

No. Each application cycle is a new selection process. You will need to submit a new application form and compete against those that apply for that admissions cycle.

How much does it cost to enroll in the Surgical Technology Program?

Students accepted to the program will have expenses not covered by tuition like: scrubs, lab coats, patches, name tags, malpractice insurance, books, and shoes. Students should budget at least $500 dollars for these items. Remember these supplies last the entire year, not just one semester.

What is the typical weekly schedule?

Surgical Technology students should plan on class from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students are assigned to a clinical site that is off-campus. Clinical days start at 6:30 a.m. and last until 2 p.m. Clinical commitments are 3 to 4 days a week. There are no weekend or evening clinic sessions.

Do I need transportation?

Students must have reliable transportation to campus and clinical sites.

What types of courses are in the degree plan?

This degree requires courses in Anatomy, Microbiology, Basic Nursing, Medical Terminology, Sterile Technique, Instrumentation and Equipment, Pharmacology and Professional Workforce Preparation.

Do you have job placement assistance?

Lamar State College Port Arthur does provide job assistance. We have a job board that all students can access throughout their time at school. Upon graduation, the student can provide the job placement office with a current resume.

Student Testimonials

Below are testimonials from previous students from the Surgical Technology Program.

“I graduated with an Associates of Applied Science in Surgical Technology in 2012. The faculty and director of the program are professionals with relevant experience who live to help students navigate the learning process. Unlike the usual college experience, you really get to know your instructors and peers. I am now one semester away from earning a Master’s Degree in Public Health, but throughout my academic career I never had as much support from any mentor as I got in this program. They were always honest about what it would take from me to be successful as a student and in the field. If you want a challenging and a unique opportunity to make a difference in Allied Health, look no further than your Lamar State College-Port Arthur family.”

“I was a student at Lamar State College-Port Arthur from 2003 until graduation in August 2006. I graduated with an Associates in Applied Science in Surgical Technology. I was the oldest student in the class at age 48. The year before I was to graduate, Hurricane Rita hit our area. My instructor Brandon Buckner kept in touch with all students during the evacuation process and returning to school. He was awesome. Kept pushing me, encouraging me, laughing and crying with me as I had lost everything I owned. For 3 months I lived in a tent on my property and never missed a day of school or clinical because of him. There were days I wanted to give up and quit but he wouldn't let me. I kept on course and graduated because of him.”