Surgical Technology Pre-Admission Conference

We are excited you are here! This online pre-admission conference is important to read before applying to the Surgical Technology program. 

At the end of the online pre-admission conference, please complete and submit the Surgical Technology Program Application.

This application is essential. Without it in your file, you cannot be considered for the program. We hope to see you in the Surgical Technology program at SCC!

Program Description

• Program completion requires 1 year of instruction after formal admission to the program.
• 16 students are admitted every August. Selections are made after June for the August start date.
• The program is a mixture of didactic and clinical coursework.
• You must maintain a “C” average in ALL courses including general education courses.
  Some semesters may require as many as 30-40 hours per week of student involvement.

Technical Standards

Surgical Technology involves the provision of direct care for individuals and is characterized by the application of verified knowledge in the skillful performance of surgical technology technical functions. Therefore, all applicants should possess:

• Sufficient visual acuity, such as is needed in the surgical environment and for the observation necessary for patient assessment and care
• Sufficient auditory perception to receive verbal communication from patients and members of the health team and to assess health needs of people through the use of monitoring devices (e.g., cardiac monitors, biomedical equipment, fire alarms, etc.);
• Sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly and to implement the skills, including the manipulation of equipment, positioning and lifting patients required in meeting health needs related to surgical technology
• Sufficient verbal and non-verbal communication skills (speech, reading, and writing), such as are needed in classroom and clinical settings to interact with patients and professional personnel; and
• Sufficient intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement care for individuals

Program Curriculum

SCC's Surgical Technology program follows Pathway #1.

*Denotes absolute pre-requisites, you can NOT start the program until these courses are complete.

• All of the general education courses may be taken at SCC
• Courses may be transferred from other accredited institutions. Please contact the college registrar for clarification.
• Some of the general education courses may be available online at KCTCS Online.

Surgical Technology Program Courses

 

The curriculum outlined during this information session is current but can change at any time, it is important that you meet with a program faculty advisor every semester to ensure you are taking all required courses.

Clinical Education Component

• Each semester includes a clinical education course
• Clinical sites are located in many areas both in and out of Somerset
  
  • Students cannot request a specific clinical site and are not guaranteed rotations at specific sites closest to their home
  • Class and clinical schedules are non-negotiable and will vary each semester
  • All students should expect to have to drive to out of town clinical sites
  • Students cannot leave a clinical site without permission from a preceptor or clinical instructor

Clinical Sites**

• Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital - Somerset, KY
• Lake Cumberland Ambulatory Surgery Center - Somerset, KY
• Baptist Health Richmond - Richmond
• CHI Saint Joseph Health - London, KY
• Russell County Hospital - Russell Springs,  KY
• Advent Health Manchester - Manchester, KY
• Rockcastle Hospital and Respiratory Care Center - Mt Vernon, KY
• T.J. Samson Community Hospital- Glasgow, KY
• The Medical Center at Albany - Albany, KY
• Taylor County Hospital - Campbellsville, KY
• Ephraim McDowell - Danville, KY

**Scheduled clinical hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This list is subject to change without notice.

Additional Clinical Information

• Visible tattoos must be covered in all patient care areas
• Due to facility policy clinical sites will not allow students with a felon record or certain skin conditions like psoriasis to participate in clinical rotations
• CPR certification must be obtained prior to clinicals in mid-October and must be obtained from the American Heart Association only

Admission Requirements

• In order to be considered for admission into the Surgical Technology program at SCC, the following items must be completed by June 1 of the year you wish to be considered:
  
  • Surgical Technology Program Application
    
    • An application must be submitted every year you wish to be considered.
  • Transfer Surgical Technology students must have a “C” or better in all general education and Surgical Technology courses to be eligible for admission. Also, students must submit a recommendation letter from the previous Surgical Technology Program Coordinator.
  • All students must have an advising session with a Surgical Technology advisor to be considered for acceptance.
    • To make an advising appointment with Tammy Day, email tammy.day@kctcs.edu or call (606) 451-6792.

Important facts to remember

• It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that a current application has been submitted online
• Once the June 1 deadline occurs, the Surgical Technology Committee will meet to select the incoming class. You will be notified of your status after the Committee has selected students.
• Since the program is only two semesters, you must complete most of your general education classes before applying to the program.

Points System

• No minimum ACT score is required; however, extra points will be awarded if the ACT score is 20 or above. Points will be given according to grade earned for each required General Education class listed below.
• First time students are admitted based on a point system. Points are given for ACT and each general education class completed with a “C” or better.
• Refer to the Surgical Technology Points Checklist to add up your total score and bring it to your advising appointment, so your advisor can review it with you.

Selective Admissions

Surgical Technology is a selective admissions program with limited enrollment. Program admits one time per year in August.

After the June 1 deadline, all applicant information is reviewed by the admissions committee. This process may take several days. Every applicant will receive a letter whether accepted, an alternate, or not accepted; please be patient.

Selection is based on the following preference criteria

• Completion of
  
  • BIO 137
  • BIO 139
  • BIO 118 OR BIO 225 OR BIO 226
  • AHS 115 OR CLA 131 OR MIT 103
  • Digital Literacy or computer competency exam
  • CPR
• Cumulative GPA of all general education courses that are applicable to the Surgical Technology program. GPA must be 2.0 or higher with preference given to those above 2.5

Readmission

To be considered for readmission, each applicant must submit the following credentials by June 1.

1. A student who withdraws from or earns less than a grade of C in any course with the Surgical Technology program prefix will be dropped from the Surgical Technology program. 
2. Readmission to the Surgical Technology program will be dependent upon available resources and the selective admission process. Application is not a guarantee of readmission to the program.
3. The process for readmission to the program is as follows:
   1. students who wish to apply for readmission to the program must do so by the same dates as for admission – by June 1; and
   2. submit a written request to the Surgical Technology Program Coordinator including information to justify readmission.
   3. If more than one year has elapsed since initial enrollment in a Surgical Technology program, the entire sequence of surgical technology courses must be repeated. 
   4. A student may be readmitted to the Surgical Technology program one (1) time. A student must have a minimum grade point average of 2.00.

Transfer

To transfer, each applicant must submit the following credentials by June 1.

1. Applicants who wish to transfer from one Surgical Technology program to another must:
   1. meet all admission requirements of the receiving institution.
   2. apply for admission to the program by the dates indicated above, 
   3. notify the Coordinator of the Surgical Technology Program in writing, stating anticipated entry date and reason for transfer,
   4. have a faculty member from the program previously attended submit a letter of recommendation to the receiving institution; and 
   5. submit an official transcript for evaluation by the Admissions Committee.
2. If more than one year has elapsed since initial enrollment in a Surgical Technology program, the entire sequence of surgical technology courses must be repeated.
3. Acceptance of any transfer student will be dependent upon available resources and the selective admission process. Application is not a guarantee of acceptance to the program.

Program Expenses***

• Tuition/Textbooks/Liability Insurance/Scrubs/Shoes
• Physical/Eye Exam/CPR Certification
• Immunizations
  
  • HBV Series, TB Skin Test, MMR, Tdap, Varicella, Influenza, COVID-19
  • Complete and turn in when prompted by clinical coordinator
• Drug screen
  
  • Complete and turn in when prompted by clinical coordinator
• Background check
  
  • Students w/a felony record will NOT be allowed to participate in clinicals
  • Complete and turn in when prompted by clinical coordinator
• Graduation
• Certification Exam

***This list is not inclusive. It is simply a guideline.

Program Graduation Requirements

The surgical technology program is progressive in nature.  In order to successfully complete this program, the student must meet the requirements for each semester in order to proceed to the next semester.  The following are the individual semester requirements:

• Fall semester
  
  • SUR 100 - Successful completion with an overall average of 77% or greater.
  • SUR 102 - Requires 77% or greater on all written exams and quizzes
  • SUR 125 - Requires completion of 120 clinical hours as assigned. Clinical evaluations must average to 77% or greater.
• Spring semester
  
  • SUR 202 - Successful completion with an overall average of 77% or greater.
  • SUR 201 - Requires completion of 360 clinical hours as assigned. Clinical evaluations must average to 77% or greater.
  • Total scrubbed cases for the entire program: a minimum of 120 surgical cases for the entire program must be documented in the roles and categories set forth by AST in the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology 6th edition.
  • Additional:
    • Graduates must sit for the NBSTSA certification exam in May or June of the graduating year. Exam registration and fees are to be submitted by the student in February or March of graduating year.
    • These requirements are in addition to all college requirements for graduation.

In Conclusion

For program questions, please contact:

Tammy Day, CST, RN, BSN
tammy.day@kctcs.edu
(606) 451-6792

• For transfer information, please contact the registrar’s office at SCC.
• For ACT, KYOTE/TABE scheduling, please contact the assessment center at SCC. (606) 451-6850, or toll free (877) 629-9722, ext. 16.
• For financial aid questions, please contact a financial aid officer at SCC.
• Consult with an advisor every semester to register for classes.