Health Careers Surgical Tech

Course Description:

This is an intro course that offers training in surgical technology, as well as basic healthcare principles. Surgical technologists are medical professionals who specialize in preparing the operating room and assisting surgeons during surgeries. 

• Students will learn how to provide quality care by learning sterile and aseptic techniques as well as best practices in the operating room.
• Surgical technologists can be found in different areas of healthcare facilities such as labor and delivery, operating rooms, cardiac catheterization, outpatient surgery, and more.
• Students will learn surgical instrumentation, a variety of surgical procedures, human anatomy, and medical terminology.
• Students will learn operating room safety procedures, communications, infection control, legal/ethical principles, health care systems, teamwork, medical terminology as it applies to the surgical field, CPR and First Aid, employability skills, and surgical principles.

Students who would benefit from this program

Students who would benefit from this program are those who are able to work well under stressful and emergency situations, able to act quickly and accurately, work well with other people, and exhibit manual dexterity. Also good communication skills and empathy are most beneficial.

Course Outline:

1st Semester:  History of the profession, intro to medical terminology, infection control, PPE,  bloodborne pathogens, intro to microbiology, sterility, surgical instrumentation, and how to properly don/doff surgical PPE.

2nd Semester:  Surgical procedures, intro to anatomy and physiology with each body system, specific instrumentation for surgical specialties, intro to pharmacology, how to prepare for surgical procedures, and the opportunity to job shadow in the spring!

High School Credit:

Students will earn elective credit at their high school upon completion of this course. Please see a high school counselor (based on district decision) for eligibility towards 4th-year math-related credit, VPAA credit, and waived credits for third year science and second year world language. 

Length of Program:

1 year