What do Surgical Technologists do?

• Assist in surgical procedures (operations)
• Help prepare the operating room
• Setting up surgical instruments, equipment, sterile drapes and sterile solutions
• Maintain a sterile field
• Assist with patient preparation
• Transport patients to the operating room
• During surgery, technologist pass instruments and other sterile supplies to Surgeons and Surgeon Assistants
• Operate sterilizers, lights, and suction machines
• Help operate diagnostic equipment

GENERAL INFORMATION

The surgical technologist is a member of the surgical team, generally working in hospital operating rooms, acting as the primary scrub person who handles the sterile instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary for operative procedures. The surgical technologist works with the surgeon, anesthesiologist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, registered nurse, and licensed practical nurse.

The Contra Costa Medical Career College Surgical Technology Program is designed to cover both the academic and clinical skills necessary to perform as a surgical technologist. By the first class meeting, all students must be at least 18 years of age and be graduates of an accredited U.S. high school or have passed the English-language version of the GED®. Associate’s (or higher level) degrees from a U.S. institution are also acceptable. Foreign diplomas or degrees are not accepted, unless they are translated by an accredited translation organization. Transcripts must be deemed equivalent to US education.

PHYSICAL GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS:

1. STRENGTH: Perform physical activities requiring ability to push/pull objects more than 50 pounds and to transfer objects of more than 100 pounds.
2. MANUAL DEXTERITY: Perform motor skills such as standing, walking, writing, handshaking; manipulative skills such as writing, typing; calibration of equipment; and handling instruments.
3. COORDINATION: Perform body coordination such as walking, filing, retrieving equipment, eye-hand coordination such as keyboard skills; tasks which require arm-hand steadiness such as taking blood pressures, calibration of tools and equipment, and handling equipment.
4. MOBILITY: Perform mobility skills such as walking, standing, and occasionally prolonged standing or sitting (up to twelve hours) in uncomfortable positions.
5. VISUAL ABILITY: See objects far away and to discriminate colors and to see objects closely as in reading faces, dials, monitors, and medication labels.
6. HEARING: Hear normal sounds with background noise and distinguish sounds.
7. CONCENTRATION: Concentrate on details with moderate amount of interruptions.
8. ATTENTION SPAN: Attend to task/functions for periods up to 60 minutes in length and exceeding 60 minutes in length.
9. CONCEPTUALIZATION: Understand and relate to specific ideas, concepts, and theories generated and simultaneously discussed.
10. MEMORY: Remember task/assignments given to self and others over both short and long periods of time.
11. CRITICAL THINKING: Possess critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment. Apply theoretical concepts to clinical settings.
12. INTERPERSONAL: Use interpersonal skills sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
13. COMMUNICATION: Communicate effectively for interaction with others in verbal, non-verbal and written form. Explain treatment procedures and initiate health teaching.
14. SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Evidence of no current alcohol or drug abuse, or felony convictions related to alcohol or drug abuse.
15. SEQUENCING: Remember and execute tasks and skills in a predetermined arrangement of succession, building upon consecutive steps.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The surgical technologist may be exposed to a variety of substances within the work environment. You can expect to be exposed to blood, body tissues or fluids, electrical hazards, hazardous waste materials, radiation, chemicals, and loud or unpleasant noises.

VIRTUAL REALITY

We now offer Virtual Reality Lab Simulation training in addition to our full functioning operating room laboratory.

The future is here today with PeriopSim VR. Your students can feel what it’s like to enter the OR before they do it in real life. Can be used solo or with PeriopSim for iPad and leverages all the Educator Portal functionality. A 1 hour long procedure takes ~10 minutes in our simulation

In a real life sized OR learners can practice and be assessed on steps of a procedure, anticipating the surgeon and Sterile Field, Sharps Safety, Sterile Technique, Passing Techniques and Instrumentation.

PeriopSim is designed to bridge the gap between class and the OR. It helps you to learn procedures, anticipating the surgeon and instrumentation, before you go into the OR. Research shows that PeriopSim performs 6x faster and is more effective than traditional methods. A 1 hour procedure takes ~10 minutes in our simulation.

Using video of real surgeries and voice narration, you’ll be guided through procedures step by step and prompted for instruments. By practicing, you can reduce stress and quickly become a confident, effective member of the surgical team.  Competencies assessed include Anticipating the Surgeon, Steps of a Procedure and Instrument Recognition.