Surgical Technology

• English Composition I
• Medical Terminology
• General Anatomy and Physiology

For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

• Introduction to Surgical Technology
• Surgical Technology Fundamentals 1
• Exploring Surgical Issues
• Introduction to Psychology

For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

• Surgical Technology Fundamentals 2
• Surgical Pharmacology
• Surgical Skills Application
• Microbiology

For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

• Surgical Interventions 1
• Surgical Technology Clinical 1
• Surgical Technology Clinical 2
• Speech

For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

• Surgical Technology Clinical 3
• Surgical Technology Clinical 4
• Surgical Interventions 2
• Introduction to Sociology or Introduction to Diversity Studies

For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

Academic Preparedness

To be eligible to enroll in the Surgical Technology program, students are required to meet the current admission requirements, academic preparedness requirements, and complete the surgical technology program readiness process. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or the College's program assessment data. View Academic Preparedness Packet

Health Insurance

Students must have proof of their health insurance coverage.

Background Check

If accepted, you will be required to complete a criminal background check, complete the health requirements, and perform drug testing before starting clinical courses. Wisconsin law requires background checks of persons who provide care for others or have access to people who receive care. This law applies to Blackhawk Technical College Health Sciences Division students. For more information about the background check, view the Criminal Background Check Information (PDF).

In accordance with Wisconsin Caregiver Background law, applicants with a criminal history may be denied placement by clinical affiliates or ineligible for national certification examinations. Applicants with any criminal background are strongly advised to meet with the program faculty and/or program advisor.

The Surgical Technology program follows standards established by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education programs (CAAHEP), Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) and the Association of Surgical Technologist (AST).  Blackhawk Technical College is pursuing accreditation by CAAHEP upon the recommendation of the ARC/STSA.  Blackhawk Technical College adheres to the AST’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA)
6 W. Dry Creek Circle, Suite #110
Littleton, CO 80120
303-694-9262
www.arcst.org

The mission of the Associate Degree Surgical Technology Program at Blackhawk Technical College is to provide the training and knowledge necessary for our students “to prepare competent entry-level surgical technologist in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.” (ARC/STSA, 2013) This will be accomplished by “meeting or exceeding the criteria set forth in the current CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for Accreditation of Educational Programs in Surgical Technology” (ARC/STSA).

Gross Motor Skills

• Move within confined spaces
• Maintain balance in multiple positions
• Reach above shoulders (e.g., adjust overhead lights)
• Reach below waist (e.g., plug electrical appliance into wall outlet)
• Reach out front

Fine Motor Skills

• Pick up objects with hands
• Grasp small objects with firm hands and slight pressure (ex. surgical instruments, sutures)
• Write with pen or pencil
• Key/type (e.g., use a computer)
• Pinch/pick or otherwise work with fingers (e.g., manipulate a syringe)
• Twist (e.g., turn objects/knobs using hands)
• Squeeze with finger (e.g., eye dropper)
• Manual dexterity
• Finger dexterity
• Simultaneous use of hands, wrists, fingers
• Coordinate eye-hand and eye-hand foot (e.g., pumping soap dispenser and surgical scrub)

Physical Endurance

• Stand for long periods of time from 2-4 hours
• Maintain same position for long periods of time
• Sustained repetitive movements
• Function in a fast-paced work environment for hours

Physical Strength

• Push and pull 50 pounds (e.g., carry instrument pans, position client, move equipment)
• Support 50 pounds of weight (e.g., hold arm or leg)
• Lift 50 pounds (e.g., pick up a child, transfer client, bend to lift an infant or child)
• Carry equipment/supplies (e.g., lift instrument pans)
• Use upper body strength (e.g., retraction, physically restrain a client)
• Squeeze with hands (e.g., operate fire extinguishers)

Mobility (ability to)

• Stand
• Walk
• Twist, turn
• Bend, stoop, squat
• Sit
• Climb stairs
• Move quickly

Hearing

• Ability to hear normal speaking level sounds (e.g., person to person conversation, request for an instrument)
• Hear faint voices and body sounds (e.g., heartbeat)
• Ability to discriminate speech in presence of background noises
• Hear in situations when not able to see lips (e.g., masks are worn in the operating room)

Visual

• See objects up to 20 inches away (e.g., information on monitor screen, identification of small needles)
• See objects up to 20 feet away
• Use depth perception
• Use peripheral vision
• Distinguish color and color intensity (e.g., color codes on supplies)
• See in darkened room (e.g., during endoscope procedures, eye surgery)

Tactile

• Feel vibrations (e.g., palpate pulses)
• Detect temperature (e.g., solutions)
• Feel differences in surface characteristics
• Feel differences in sizes, shapes
• Detect environment temperature

Environment

• Tolerate exposure to allergens (e.g., latex gloves, chemical substances)
• Tolerate strong soaps
• Tolerate strong odors
• Exposure and tolerate unpleasant sights and sounds, electrical energy, solvents, grease, oils, slippery or uneven walking surfaces and excessive noises
• Tolerate working in confined spaces for extended periods of time
• Tolerate wearing protective equipment (e.g., mask, gown, gloves, glasses, laser, radiation)
• Tolerate working indoors
• Tolerate working in extreme temperatures

Reading

• Read and understand written documents
• Read digital displays

Math

• Ability to count, add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers
• Compute fractions and decimals
• Document numbers in records
• Tell and measure time
• Read measurement marks (e.g., rulers, scale)

Emotional Stability

• Establish professional relationships
• Adapt to changing environment/stress
• Deal with the unexpected (e.g., client condition, crisis)
• Focus attention on task
• Cope with own emotions
• Perform multiple responsibilities concurrently
• Cope with strong emotions in others (e.g., grief, anger, stress)
• Accept constructive feedback
• Accept responsibility for own actions

Analytical Thinking

• Transfer knowledge from one situation to another
• Process and interpret information from multiple sources (written or oral)
• Analyze and interpret abstract and concrete data
• Evaluate outcomes
• Problem solve
• Prioritize tasks (e.g., time management)
• Use long-term memory
• Use short-term memory

Critical Thinking

• Identify cause-effect relationships
• Plan/control activities (organizational skills)
• Sequence information
• Make decisions independently
• Adapt decisions based on new information
• Comprehend and follow instructions
• Follow a process from start to finish (e.g., 2 or more step instruction)

Interpersonal Skills

• Establish rapport with individuals (e.g., surgeons, staff members and groups)
• Respect/value diversity in others
• Negotiate interpersonal conflict
• Demonstrate tolerance in working with others
• Function as part of a team

Communication Skills

• Speak English
• Write English
• Listen/comprehend spoken/written word
• Collaborate with others (e.g., health care workers, peers)
• Comprehend and exhibit non-verbal communication

Upon successful completion of this program, you will be able to:

• Apply healthcare and technological science principles to the perioperative environment
• Maintain principles of sterile technique in the surgical environment
• Provide a safe, efficient and supportive environment for the patient
• Prepare the patient, operating room and surgical team for the preoperative phase
• Perform intraoperative case management in the scrub role
• Perform postoperative case management
• Function as an ethical, legal and professional member of the healthcare team as determined by governing bodies

Annual Report Information (Reporting Year 2024)

Employed: 100% of our recent graduates got a job in the industry

Certification Exam: 75% pass rate

Annual Salary: Recent graduates of the program are reporting an average starting salary of $54,432.