Certificate:
A surgical technologist is an allied health professional who works as part of the surgical team to ensure that the operative procedure is conducted under optimal conditions. The surgical technologist normally functions in a sterile capacity during the surgical procedure, but also performs many nonsterile duties throughout the course of the workday. The program in surgical technology includes both theory and practical clinical experience designed to prepare the student to pass the national certification examination for surgical technologists.
Surgical technologists will be responsible for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative duties that may include preparing the operating room, create and maintain the sterile field, count the necessary instruments, expose the operative site with sterile drapes, specimen care, pass instrumentation and supplies to the surgeon, dressing application, removal of used instruments from the O.R., and preparation of the O.R. for the next patient.
Most surgical technologists are employed in hospital surgery departments, obstetric departments, and ambulatory care centers. Because of the broad educational background, however, combined with a specialized focus, other options may be open to the experienced surgical technologist. These include specialization in an area of interest such as cardiac, orthopedic, pediatric, plastic, or general surgery, advancement to the role of the surgical assistant, employment by a medical corporation to represent their products, military service, technical writing, illustration, and photography.
The surgical technology program at LSC-Tomball is a three semester, 42 credit hour (1344 contact hour) program that normally runs over a spring, summer, and fall semester. There are 11 workforce courses and one academic credit course (BIOL 2404).
Admission Criteria:
In addition to the system admission requirements, the following are required for the surgical technology program:
1. Graduation from high school verified by an official transcript or GED certificate. If the high school transcript is from a country other than the USA, it must be evaluated by an approved transcript evaluation company.
2. Submission of passing THEA exam scores in reading, writing and math, or complete LSCS Student Success Initiative (SSI) requirements. To determine your SSI status, see a college adviser.
3. Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in college level courses.
4. Submit official transcripts from colleges attended other than LSCS.
5. Submit a completed application to the Surgical Technology Program Director at LSC-Tomball. Application deadlines are posted on the college’s website.
6. Final acceptance into the program is contingent upon a completed Hepatitis B immunization series and a satisfactory background check (as required by hospitals), which will be completed by an approved agency at the student’s expense.