Job readiness - Limited Enrollment
CONTACT PERSON: Jean Hinton • Allied Health Campus 261 • 224-5722 • Jean.Hinton@bsc.nodak.edu

Surgical technologists are allied health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings. The surgical technologist works under medical supervision to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures. This individual works to ensure that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. A surgical technologist possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation of tools and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Surgical technologists are in demand throughout the nation in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and clinics. A strong science background is recommended for success in this program. This includes completion of high school units in biological sciences, especially anatomy and physiology. Successful students are those who are able to perform under pressure in stressful and emergency situations, have a strong sense of responsibility, patience, and a concern for order. Manual dexterity and physical stamina are vital.

Completion of the program prepares students for employment and for eligibility to take the surgical technologist certifying examination. The program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Bismarck State College developed the Surgical Technology program in cooperation with local medical facilities and health care providers. Students receive both theoretical instruction and clinical internship study. Those who complete the requirements earn an Associate in Applied Science in Surgical Technology degree.

The Surgical Technology program is a limited enrollment program, which means there is a process for admittance. Students must first designate Surgical Technology as their intended field of study. Next, they must complete one full time semester of college (minimum 12 credit hour load) with a minimum overall 2.0 (C) grade point average. The grade point requirement includes successful completion of Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 220), Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory (BIOL 220L) with a 2.0 grade point average. Note: Admittance to Human Anatomy and Physiology has placement criteria. For information regarding these criteria, contact the department chair of biology or the individual instructors. The final step of this process is to fill out an application to the program and participate in an interview. Program applications are available in the Allied Health Campus Classroom 268 or from a member of the Surgical Technology faculty. They are due by Nov. 15 of the fall semester, prior to the spring semester in which the student wants to begin the introductory surgical technology classes. Students may only register for introductory program courses after being officially notified by mail of admittance to the program by the faculty. These notifications occur during the Holiday Break and after all transcripts have been checked.

Provisional admittance into the entry-level surgical technology classes is possible for students who have met all general education requirements, with the exception of the sciences (BIOL 220, 220L, BIOL 221, BIOL 221L, and MICR 202 and 202L). Enrollment under the Provisional Acceptance Policy requires concurrent enrollment in BIOL 220 and 220L and completion of BIOL 221 and 221L prior to enrollment in the upper level surgical technology courses. Provisional admittance is granted by the faculty after reviewing the student's transcripts.

Students are required to provide documentation of current vaccinations, including Hepatitis B vaccination, Tetanus Toxoid booster within ten years of enrollment, chicken pox vaccination (or a statement confirming the student has had chicken pox), and, immediately prior to the clinical internship, a two step Tuberculosis Mantoux skin testing. Also, students accepted to the BSC Surgical Technology Program will be required to have a medical examination at their own expense (after all other requirements have been met).

A minimum 2.0 GPA must be earned in all (*) courses and an overall cumulative 2.0 GPA must be maintained in order to continue in the program. A student handbook will be issued to each student during the introductory surgical technology courses that describes specific program requirements. A clinical internship handbook of policies and procedures will be issued prior to the clinical internship course. Among the requirements is performance of a criminal background check prior to the start of the OR Clinical Internship course.

The credit load for the program may be taken over three years as opposed to two. This does not impact the delivery of the surgical technology courses. They must be taken as described and are the same classes in the two-year or three-year cycle.