Surgical Technology Frequently Asked Questions
The Surgical Technologist works with the surgeon, anesthesia provider, and professional registered nurses as a member of the direct patient care team during surgery. Surgical technologists assist by preparing and handling supplies and equipment to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for the patient through specific techniques and practices designed to exclude all pathogenic microorganisms from the operative wound.
- Scrub person - primary job - the sterile person who hands the surgeon the instruments during an operation.
- Circulating person - the non-sterile person responsible for assisting the anesthesia provider and making sure the sterile team has all instruments and supplies they require.
- Surgical assistant - sterile person who assists the surgeon during the operation by retracting tissue and cutting sutures.
The ability to perform under pressure in stressful and emergency situations is a quality essential to the surgical technologist. A stable temperament, a strong sense of responsibility, considerable patience, and concern for order are required.
Manual dexterity and physical stamina are vital. They must be able to work quickly, but accurately, and must be oriented to detail, yet able to integrate a number of activities according to priority.
They must be keenly sensitive to the needs of the patient as well as to the needs of the members of the surgical team.
Yes, Surgical Technology Services is a full-time program.
Fall Semester: Lecture and Lab, Monday - Thursday, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Spring Semester: Clinicals, Tuesday - Thursday, 6:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Summer Semester B: Lecture, Monday and Friday - 8:00 - 1:30 PM; Clinicals - Tuesdays
- Thursdays, 6:30 AM - 3:00 PM
The Clinical experiences are designed to match the Operating Room schedule.
The Surgical Technology Services courses are offered only during the daytime because that is the time of day we can obtain reliable and consistent clinical experiences for the students. We would like to eventually offer some of the theory classes online but not at this time.
No, the sites will be selected by the faculty. The student will have clinical experiences at at least three different area hospitals and one outpatient surgery center during the program.
Every effort will be made to send the student to the three closest hospitals to where they live but there is no guarantee. The program currently has clinical rotations at various hospitals and surgery centers throughout Brevard County.
The admission committee will make selections approximately 4-6 weeks after the deadline. All applicants will be mailed a letter to learn their admission status.
Applicants should be aware that if they are admitted on "standby" status, they might be called later in the summer to replace admitted applicants who decline admission for any reason.
You might also consider talking to people you know who are currently practicing as Surgical Technologists. It will be helpful to talk to them at a time when they are rested, away from the site where they practice. Ask specific questions, such as why they came into Surgical Technology Services, what the advantages and disadvantages of Surgical Technology as a career are, what their most memorable moments in surgery have been, and what the hardest and most rewarding aspects of their professional duties are.
The Health Sciences program advisor can help you understand the various Health Sciences programs, if you think that various aspects of the surgical technologist's duties would not appeal to you.
There are other resources that you might want to consider. The Internet can be a valuable tool for researching questions you may have, and outlining issues of the profession. Journals from the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) and the Association of periOperative Nurses (AORN) are available at the EFSC Library. These may also help you to find answers while researching the field.