Surgical Technology is a Department in the Allied Health Sciences and Nursing Division of Southern University at Shreveport. The program offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Surgical Technology. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education (CAAHEP) through the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).
Accreditation Review Council on Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. (ARC/STSA)
6 W. Dry Creek Circle, Suite #110
Surgical Technologists are an integral part of the surgical team which include the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, physician and non-physician surgical assistant(s), and the circulator who is usually a nurse. Although surgical technologists operate primarily in surgical settings, they also function in a variety of areas where aseptic/sterile techniques are of vital importance; as well as environments where expert knowledge of surgical and biomedical instruments, supplies and equipment is essential. Areas of employment include but are not limited to: surgery departments, central supply management, trauma centers, labor and delivery, teaching, as well as surgical instruments, supplies and equipment sales reps. Certified Surgical Technologists with further experience may become Certified Surgical First Assistants by pursuing advanced training and meeting the eligibility requirements to sit for the National Certification by the National Board on Surgical Technology and Surgical Assistants (NBSTSA).
Candidates for Surgical Technology may register for Pre-Surgical Technology courses each fall and spring. Students who complete these courses with a minimum of a “C” grade may apply for admission in the Surgical Technology Program and start clinical January and June of each year with projected completion in August of the following year. Candidates are advised to complete a minimum of three credit hours in English, Medical Technology, and one course of Human Anatomy and Physiology lecture and lab. Admission in clinical may be limited by clinical space availability. All clinical sites have health requirements including immunizations, and criminal background search. The University provides Risk Management Insurance for all clinical students while performing their training duties in clinical. This insurance does not cover students' personal injuries or infection exposure during clinical practice. All clinical students are expected to have their own health insurance in case of injury or exposure.
Program Completion
The students must successfully pass a comprehensive Exit Exam prior to sitting for the National Certification Exam. Although it is not required that students pass the National Certification Exam to graduate, all students must take the National Exam given by The National Board on Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) in accordance with the Accreditation Committee on Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting requirements. Students who are successful on the National Certification Exam for Surgical Technology obtain the credential of Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).
Tutoring is available at any level to help students succeed. It is the responsibility of students to schedule individual or group tutoring timely as needed by contacting the Department Chair.
To progress, students must complete and pass courses in each level of the program. Students must successfully complete all program course requirements, including General Education (evidence required) courses prior to sitting for the Surgical Technology Program exit exam.
Students will be given the exit exam at the end of the second Summer term.
- Students must pass the exit exam with a 70% average or better. Students must take the exam within thirty (30) days of program completion.
- Students who re unsuccessful in passing the exit exam on the first attempt will be given an “I” grade and required to attend remediation sessions provided by program faculty.
- In the interim period between the end of the summer semester and final date of remove the “I” grade, the student will be given opportunities to retake the Exit Exam a total of three (3) times in 30 (thirty) day increments. Failure to remove an “I” letter grade by the required academic calendar date, will result in failure of the course. The student must register and repeat the course.
The Surgical Technology curriculum courses are designed to meet the guidelines of the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology; 6th Edition established by the Association of Surgical Technology (AST).
Clinical Case Requirements
I. The Surgical Technology Program is required to verify through the surgical rotation documentation the students' progression in the scrub role in surgical procedures of increased complexity as he/she moves towards entry-level graduate competency. To meet this requirement, the Program will rotate the student in general surgery and various surgical specialty cases.
II. Students must complete a minimum of 120 cases as delineated below.
A. General Surgery Cases
Students must complete a minimum of 30 cases in General Surgery; 20 which must be performed in the First Scrub Role. The remaining 10 cases may be performed in either the First or Second Scrub Role.
B. Specialty Cases
- Students must complete a minimum of 90 cases in various surgical specialties, excluding General Surgery; 60 which must be performed in the First Scrub Role. The additional 30 cases may be performed in either the First or Second Scrub Role.
- A minimum of 60 surgical specialty cases must be performed in the First Scrub Role and distributed amongst a minimum of four surgical specialties.
- A minimum of 10 cases in the First Scrub Role must be completed in each of the required minimum of four surgical specialties (40 cases total required).
- The additional 20 cases in the First Scrub Role may be distributed amongst any one surgical specialty or multiple surgical specialties.
- The remaining 30 surgical specialty cases may be performed in any surgical specialty either in the First or Second Scrub Role.
C. Optional Surgical Specialties
- Diagnostic endoscopy cases and vaginal delivery cases are not mandatory. However, up to 10 diagnostic endoscopic cases and 5 vaginal delivery cases can be counted toward the maximum number of Second Scrub Role cases.
- Diagnostic endoscopy cases must be documented in the category of "Diagnostic Endoscopy", rather than by specialty.
- Vaginal delivery cases must be documented in the category of "Labor & Delivery'' rather than in the OB/GYN specialty.
D. Case experience in the Second Scrub Role is not mandatory.
E. Observation cases must be documented, but do not count towards the 120 required cases.
F. Cases will be counted and documented according to surgical specialty (exception being diagnostic endoscopic cases; refer to II. C.I.A. above).
Note: Endoscopic cases that convert to an open case (e.g.: Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy converted to an Open Cholecystectomy) are counted and documented as one (1) procedure -one case.
Admission Policy
All students who successfully complete pre-surgical technology courses and required general education courses are eligible for admission. Each spring and summer semesters, program admission is provided to students who successfully complete pre-requisite surgical technology courses with a minimum of a “C” grade, and meet affiliate clinical background and health requirements. Admission in pre-requisite surgical technology courses are closely monitored to ensure availability of enough clinical slots to provide students with quality hands-on experience.
Transfer Students
In accordance with university policy, students who have been enrolled at another institution must report official transcripts from each college or university previously attended. The Registrar of Southern University at Shreveport will evaluate all previous work done by the student at other institutions. Transfer credit may be given for those courses taken at accredited institutions provided that the courses fall within the scope of approved curriculums. Acceptability of non- equivalent surgical technology courses is subject to the approval of the department chair and the Dean of the Allied Health Division.
Transfer students with a national certificate credential in Surgical Technology (CST) may apply for acceptance into the Surgical Technology program. Applicants must provide official transcripts from all university(s) attended, verification of CST credentials, actively involved in the profession, and meet all university admission requirements and meet residency requirements.
Progression in the Surgical Technology Program
A student is allowed to progress in the Surgical Technology Program provided competency is demonstrated in required didactic and clinical courses at the end of each semester. In order to achieve progress status and remain in good academic standing, the student must:
- Achieve a minimum grade of “C” in all professional courses
- Maintain the attendance and professional conduct requirements of the program and the clinical sites
- Maintain continuous enrollment in the Surgical Technology curriculum sequence
- Maintain current certification in CPR for health professionals when in clinical
- Maintain current TB screening
Non-Progression
A student who does not achieve a “C” or better in any Surgical Technology courses may not continue in the program sequence. In order to achieve progression status after failure to earn a grade of “C” or better in a SURG course, the student must repeat the course.
Readmission/Re-Entry Following Placement in Non-Progression Status
A student who has not achieved a satisfactory grade of “C” or better is placed on non-progression status and must apply for re-admission to the Surgical Technology Program. A student re-admitted to the Program will be required to comply with the current curriculum. Readmission/re-entry will be subject to space availability. A re-entry student must meet with the Program Director to determine the student’s status and clinical placement. A student may have to provide documented proof of clinical hands-on practicum within two regular semesters (fall & spring) prior to program completion.
Dismissal from Surgical Technology Program for Academic Reasons
A readmitted student who fails to achieve a grade of “C” or better for a repeated course will be dismissed from the program. The student may not apply for readmission nor re-enroll in the program. A student that withdraws from the program after re-entry may not apply for readmission nor re-enroll in the program.
Surgical Technology Program Dismissal for Clinical Reasons
A student who engages in behavior in the clinical area which negatively affects a patient’s safety, violates a patient’s confidentiality, or fails to adhere to program and hospital policies may be recommended for dismissal.
Freshman Year
Fall Semester
| SENL-110S | | 3 |
| ALLH-210S | | 3 |
| SBIO-221S | | 3 |
| SBIO-221LS | Human Anatomy/Physiology Lab | 1 |
| MATH-133S | Algebra for College Students | 3 |
| - | Social/Behavioral Science Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring Semester
Summer Semester
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Summer Semester
| SURG-234S | National Exam Review | 3 |
| - | Humanities Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |