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Technical Education
The Surgical Technology program is co-sponsored by Walters State and Roane State Community Colleges through the Smoky Mountain Health Sciences Consortium.
The program includes lecture classes held at the Walters State Sevier County and Roane State Oak Ridge Campuses, delivered both traditionally and via videostreaming, and supervised clinical coursework in an operating room. The program is affiliated with several area hospitals. Each student will be assigned to a variety of clinical sites during the two years of clinical coursework. Clinical experiences may include evening rotations.
Surgical Technologists are allied health professionals who work under medical supervision to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures. 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 tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
Program Goals
Consistently meet the needs of area employers seeking to hire qualified Surgical Technologists.
Provide students with the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to gain employment as entry-level Surgical Technologists and become contributing members of the health care team.
Provide a relevant degree program for Surgical Technologists that includes college-level coursework in management and leadership applicable to a healthcare institution.
These goals will be accomplished by preparing competent graduates in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.
Salary and Job Outlook
The program will increase the number of surgical technician employees to meet the over 18% increase expected for the 2008-2018 period of time as noted on the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 Job Outlook Data. Surgical technology is considered a high skill-high wage allied health profession and data from the State of Tennessee notes a need for 2970 surgical technologists in the state by 2014. The median annual salary for Tennessee surgical technologists is projected in the range of $40,000.
Work Settings
Surgical Technologists are allied health professionals who work under medical supervision to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures at a hospital. 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 tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
The information below is accurate for students who were admitted to the surgical technology program on or before August 2017.
Faculty
Marcia McMahan
Instructor for Surgical Technology
865.286.2783
Stephanie Austin
Director of Surgical Technology
865.286.2782
Professional Organizations
Association of Surgical Technologist (AST)
The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education (CAAHEP)
Resources
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Surgical Technology
The Surgical Technology program is co-sponsored by Walters State and Roane State Community Colleges through the Smoky Mountain Health Sciences Consortium.
The program includes lecture classes held at the Walters State Sevier County Campus and via distance delivery from Roane State Oak Ridge Campus and supervised clinical coursework in an operating room. The program is affiliated with several area hospitals. Each student will be assigned to a variety of clinical sites during the two years of clinical coursework. Clinical experiences may include evening rotations.
Surgical Technologists are allied health professionals who work under medical supervision to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures. 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 tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
Surgical Technology Suggested Course Sequence + General Education Requirements
A.A.S. in Surgical Technology Curriculum and Admissions Requirements
Program Goals
The goals of this program are to:
Consistently meet the needs of area employers seeking to hire qualified Surgical Technologists.
Provide students with the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to gain employment as entry-level surgical technologists and become contributing members of the health care team.
Provide a relevant degree program for Surgical Technologists that includes college-level coursework in management and leadership applicable to a healthcare institution.
These goals will be accomplished by Preparing competent graduates in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retention | 82% | 68% | 65% |
| Placement | 79% | 85% | N/A |
| CST Pass Rate | 91% | 85% | 100% |
Program Admission Requirements
Students intending to apply to the Walters State Community College Surgical Technology program may begin working on the general education courses at any time. All prerequisite program courses must be completed prior to application. The program professional courses must be taken in sequence and are offered only at the Walters State Sevier County Campus except for the clinical courses.
Walters State Community College is supported by state funding and therefore must consider in-state residents before out-of-state residents for acceptance into the Surgical Technology program. Please contact the Office of Admissions for assistance in determining Tennessee residency.
The Surgical Technology program adheres to the core performace standards adopted by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Admission to and progression in the Surgical Technology program is not based on these standards but should be used to assist the student in determining whether accomodations or modifications are necessary. The standards are:
- Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment;
- Interpersonal abilities sufficient to effectively interact with individuals, families, and
groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds; - Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written
form; - Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small
spaces; - Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective surgical care;
- Auditory abilities sufficient to monitor and assess surgical needs;
- Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in surgical care;
- Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment.
If a student believes that one of more of the standards cannot be met without accomodation or modification, the Surgical Technology program will determine whether or not accomodations or modification can be reasonably made. A student should contact the Director of Surgical Technology for assistance.
Eligibility Criteria for Admission:
- Complete all of the prerequisite courses, BIOL 2010/2011, BIOL 2020/2021, and meet computer competency requirements (or complete INFS 1010) no later than the end of spring semester of the year the student elects to participate in the selection process for the fall semester Surgical Technology program;
- Have an overall minimum GPA of 2.0;
- Have official copies of previous college transcripts sent to WSCC Admissions Office;
- Attach an unofficial copy of your college transcripts to the application.
Selection Criteria
These items are the areas in which students are awarded program application ranking points.
- Grades 1st received in program BIOL courses
(Students who complete BIOL 2010/11, 2020/21, and 2230/31 prior to program admission increase their chances of academic and clinical success in the Surgical Technology program.) - Designated Admission Exam: ACT 19 or > or HESI-A2 > 80% on all sections. Admission exams must have been completed within the last 3 years;
- Overall GPA in all required general education and prerequisite courses;
- Completion of all general education requirements;
- Qualified applicants will be contacted by phone to schedule an interview.
Program Cost
Walters State Tuition and Fees
All tuition and fees are subject to change by the Tennessee Board of Regents.
*A Specialized Allied Health Science Fee of $25 per credit hour will be applied to all Allied Health Science courses. See Tuition and Fees link above.
** Program courses taken in an online format are subject to a distance education fee.
Books, Supplies and Additional Program Expenses
- Books
- Visit Walters State Bookstore for book titles and prices
- Supplies
- Uniforms, clinical and lab supplies
- Liability Insurance
- Physical examination and immunizations
- CPR certification
- Criminal background check/Drug screening
- Credentialing Requirements
Location
Lecture classes for the Surgical Technology program are held at the Walters State Community College Sevierville Campus via distance delivery from the Roane State Oak Ridge Campus. Labs are conducted on the Walters State Community College Sevier County Campus.
Graduate Competencies
Upon program completion, the graduate will be able to:
- Correlate the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and microbiology to their role as a Surgical Technologist.
- Demonstrate a safe and professional level of practice and knowledge in their role as a Surgical Technologist.
- Acquire an understanding of the ethical, legal, moral, and medical values related to the patient and the surgical team during the perioperative experience.
- Correlate the elements, action, and use of medications and anesthetic agents used during the perioperative experience.
- Implement safe practice techniques in regards to perioperative routines, patient transportation, positioning, and emergency procedures.
- Integrate principles of surgical asepsis as part of the perioperative experience.
- Accurately apply knowledge and skills of a professional Surgical Technologist to address the biopsychosocial needs of the surgical patient.
- Perform proficiently and competently as an entry-level surgical technologist in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.
- Value the professional attributes of the Surgical Technologist.
Career Information
Salary and Job Outlook
The program will increase the number of surgical technician employees to meet the over 18% increase expected for the 2008-2018 period of time as noted on the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 Job Outlook Data. Surgical technology is considered a high skill-high wage allied health profession and data from the State of Tennessee notes a need for 2970 surgical technologists in the state by 2014. The median annual salary for Tennessee surgical technologists is projected in the range of $40,000.
Work Settings
Surgical Technologists are allied health professionals who work under medical supervision to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures at a hospital. 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 tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
