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.
The Surgical Technology program includes lecture classes held at the Oak Ridge Campus and supervised clinical coursework in an operating room. Labs are conducted on the Oak Ridge campus.
Applicants for the program may begin working on the general education courses at any time. The professional courses must be taken in sequence and are offered at the Oak Ridge Branch Campus except for the clinical courses. The program is affiliated with several area hospitals. Students will be assigned to a clinical affiliate to complete their required clinical rotations. Clinical rotations are part of the educational experience, and students will work under the direction and supervision of hospital staff while at their assigned facility. Clinical experiences may include evening rotations.
Admission Policies:
Due to limited enrollment, there are special admission policies for the Surgical Technology Program.
Applicants must:
All students meeting minimum criteria will be considered competitively, MEETING MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ACCEPTANCE. Preference will be given to Tennessee residents.
Program Application Deadline
In order for applicants to have priority consideration for entrance into the Surgical Technology Program for the following fall semester, applications must be submitted prior to the published deadline.
Incomplete applications will not be processed. Any applications received after the published application deadline may be considered by the Program Director on a space available basis. It is the student’s responsibility to assure that all records and documentation are received by the appropriate department by the published application deadline.(SAME)
Final selection of students will be made by the Surgical Technology Admissions Committee.
Students will be notified electronically via RaiderNet email of acceptance to the Surgical Technology. Students must acknowledge their acceptance via reply email by the designated response date stated in the acceptance email.
Conditional Admission
Students that do not meet minimum requirements may be considered for conditional acceptance status on a space-available basis.
Criminal Background Checks
Criminal background checks and drug screening are a requirement at affiliated clinical sites utilized for training in healthcare related programs. Based on the results of these checks, an affiliated clinical site may determine to not allow your presence at their facility. This would result in your inability to successfully complete the requirements of the program. Students will be responsible for the costs of the background check. Additionally, a criminal background may preclude certification with licensure or employment. More information is available from your program director.
Health Guidelines
Complete required physical exam/health verification prior to enrollment. Students will be responsible for the cost of the physical examination and required immunizations and/or testing.
Students will be required to meet all health guidelines of affiliated clinical agencies including current AHA CPR for healthcare provider. Personal health insurance may be required by some agencies. Students are highly encouraged to carry personal health insurance and are responsible for costs incurred due to injury or illness while enrolled.
Program Application Deadline
In order for applicants to have priority consideration for entrance into the Surgical Technology Program for the following fall semester, applications should be submitted prior to the published deadline, which is March 31.
Incomplete applications will not be processed. Any applications received after the published application deadline may be considered by the Program Director on a space available basis. It is the student’s responsibility to assure that all records and documentation are received by the appropriate department by the published application deadline.
Conditional Admission
Students that do not meet minimum requirements may be considered for conditional acceptance status on a space-available basis.
Retention Policies
A student must maintain the following standards or he/she will be dismissed from his/her respective program.
The RSCC policy of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Sanctions applies to all students regardless of the program in which they are enrolled. In cases where alcohol and drug violations occur, disciplinary action, as well as the decision whether to test for alcohol or drugs, will be processed through the Dean of Health Sciences and the Dean of Students.
Readmission Procedures
Note: The Program Director will verify that all readmission documents including licensure/credentials are current and valid. Meeting Minimum Requirements Does Not Guarantee Acceptance. Preference will be given to Tennessee residents.
Successful admission and completion of the Surgical Technology program does not guarantee state or national licensure or registration to practice as there may be additional state/national criteria required for attainment of various allied health licenses/certifications.
For additional information, review the Surgical Technology Web page.
The Roane State Community College Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Graduates from an accredited program will be eligible to take the certification examination administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
1st Term | Hours | ||
ENGL | 1010 | Composition I (Required) | 3 |
BIOL | 2010 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I (Required) | 4 |
HIMT | 1300 | Medical Terminology (Recommended) | 3 |
MATH | 1530 | Introductory Statistics (Recommended) | 3 |
TERM TOTAL | 13 | ||
Action Items | |||
Oct | Meet with Success Coach or Advisor Complete FAFSA for upcoming fall term |
||
Nov | Register for next term | ||
Dec | Complete Surgical Tech Application in Raidernet | ||
Additional course requirements that MAY be taken prior or concurrently with SURG courses |
Hours | ||
BIOL | 2020 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II1,2 | 4 |
BIOL | 2230 | Microbiology2 | 4 |
PHIL | 1040 |
Introduction to Ethics (Recommended) OR |
3 |
PSYC | 1030 | Introduction to Psychology (Recommended) OR PSYC 2130 Lifespace Development Psychology |
3 |
ALHS | 2314 | Medical Law and Ethics (If not taken previously) | 3 |
COMM | 2025 | Fundamentals of Communication | 3 |
Courses to be taken upon official acceptance to the program:
1st Fall after SURG admission | Hours | ||
HIMT | 1300 | Medical Terminology3 (If not taken previously) | 3 |
SURG | 1102 | Orientation to Surgical Tech | 1 |
SURG | 1410 | Surgical Tech and Patient Care I | 4 |
SURG | 2310 | Surgical Microbiology and Asepsis | 3 |
BIOL | 2020 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II (If not taken previously) | 4 |
TERM TOTAL | 15 | ||
Action Items | |||
Oct | Meet with Faculty Advisor Complete FAFSA for upcoming fall term |
||
Nov | Register for Spring and Summer terms | ||
1st Spring after admission | Hours | ||
SURG | 2420 | Surgical Tech and Patient Care II | 4 |
SURG | 1305 | Surgical Pharmacology | 3 |
SURG | 2321 | Surgical Procedures I | 3 |
BIOL | 2230 | Microbiology (If not taken previously) | 4 |
TERM TOTAL | 14 | ||
Action Items | |||
Mar | Meet with Faculty Advisor | ||
April | Register for Fall term | ||
2nd Fall after admission | Hours | ||
SURG | 2330 | Surgical Procedures II | 3 |
SURG | 2103 | Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
SURG | 2201 | Clinical Practicum II | 2 |
PHIL | 1040 | Introduction to Ethics (Recommended) OR Humanities Elective (If not taken previously) |
3 |
COMM | 2025 | Fundamentals of Communication (If not taken previously) | 3 |
TERM TOTAL | 9 | ||
Action Items | |||
Sept | Complete Application for Graduation | ||
Oct | Meet with Faculty Advisor | ||
Nov | Register for next term | ||
2nd Spring after admission | Hours | ||
SURG | 2302 | Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
ALHS | 2314 | Medical Law and Ethics (If not taken previously) | 3 |
PSYC | 1030 | Introduction to Psychology (Recommended) OR PSYC 2130 Lifespan Development Psychology (If not taken previously) |
3 |
MATH | 1530 | Introductory Statistics (If not taken previously) | 3 |
TERM TOTAL | 12 | ||
Action Items | |||
Feb | Take Exit Exam (ETS Proficiency Profile) | ||
Mar | Begin job search using RaiderRecruit | ||
TOTAL HOURS | 60 |
1 Course must be taken and completed with a grade of "C" or better before an applicant will be considered for admission to the program.
2 Science courses more than 5 years old by the application deadline will not be considered.
3 An open enrollment course available to any student interested in a healthcare profession. Can be taken prior to acceptance into the Surgical Technology program.
Program application deadline: March 31st for the following fall semester.
Students pursuing this option will be advised by the Surgical Technology Instructors.
This program is designed for students who plan to enter the workforce upon graduation. It is not designed for students who intend to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program.
Roane State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, sex, disability, age, status as protected veteran or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulation and by Tennessee board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities. View full non-discrimination policy.