Surgical Technology and Surgical Technology First Assistant Certificate (ST & STFAC)

Surgical Technology (ST)

The Surgical Technology program focuses on the scrub role during general and specialty surgical procedures. The surgical technologist provides patient care before, during, and after surgery. Responsibilities include preparing operative equipment and supplies, providing instrumentation during operative procedures, and other intra-operative patient care activities. Surgical technologists also share circulating tasks (responsibilities that may require patient interaction) with nurses.

Students develop skills through integrated theory and practice in the classroom and simulated laboratory practice, and through clinical experiences in hospital and/or ambulatory surgery operating rooms.

Accreditation: The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in collaboration with the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA), 6 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 110, Littleton, CO, 80120-8031. Websites: www.caahep.org | https://arcstsa.org.

Credentialing: Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and are prepared to take the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification examination for designation as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

Program Outcomes: The pass rate for the Certified Surgical Technology exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) for May 2023 graduates was 89%.

For more information, please contact the Health and Public Safety Division at (513) 569-1670.

To apply for this program at Cincinnati State, visit the Admissions section of the College website.

Surgical Technology First Assistant Certificate (STFAC)

Note: This certificate program is not currently enrolling new students.

First assistants and surgical assistants provide aid to help surgeons conduct a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. In addition to intra-operative duties, surgical assistants perform pre-operative and post-operative duties to facilitate proper patient care.

The Surgical Technology First Assistant certificate encompasses the basic elements of first assisting. Most of the courses are delivered online. However, some courses include simulated laboratory experiences on campus.

To be admitted to the certificate program, students must have a minimum of an associate’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with completion of basic college-level science courses within the past seven years. In addition, prospective students must be certified as a Surgical Technologist (CST); must have three years full-time scrub and/or assisting experience within the last seven years; and must provide proof of current CPR Certification for Healthcare Providers, liability insurance, and updated immunizations.

For more information, please contact the Health and Public Safety Division at (513) 569-1670.

To apply for this program at Cincinnati State, visit the Admissions section of the College website.

Surgical Technology (ST)

Program prerequisites:  Students seeking admission to the Surgical Technology program must complete specific requirements. After completing Semester 1 of Year 1, students should apply for selective enrollment into the Surgical Technology program. Year 2 courses will begin in Fall Semester. Students should meet with their academic advisor to discuss eligibility and deadlines for selective enrollment.

First Year
Semester 1LecLabCredits
BIO 151Anatomy and Physiology 1 ( B) 324
MAT 105Quantitative Reasoning ( G) 223
ST 100Introduction to Surgical Technology ( T) 101
FYE 1XX First Year Experience Elective (B)  101
After completing Year 1, Semester 1 courses, apply for Selective Enrollment into the ST program.  
Second Year
Semester 1  
BIO 152Anatomy and Physiology 2 ( B) 324
BIO 220Microbiology ( G) 233
ST 101Surgical Foundations and Procedures 1 ( T) 606
ST 111Surgical Principles and Practice 1 ( B) 132
Semester 2  
MCH 101Medical Terminology 1 ( B) 202
ST 102Surgical Foundations and Procedures 2 ( T) 606
ST 112Surgical Principles and Practice 2 ( B) 132
ST 181Surgical Technology Clinical Skills Application 1 ( T) 132
Semester 3  
COMM 105Interpersonal Communication ( G) 303
ENG 101English Composition 1 ( G) 303
ST 201Advanced Surgical Procedures 1 ( T) 404
ST 182Surgical Technology Clinical Skills Application 2 ( T) 062
Third Year
Semester 1  
ENG 105English Composition 2: Business Communication ( G) 303
ST 202Advanced Surgical Procedures 2 ( T) 404
ST 281Surgical Technology Clinical Directed Practice 1 ( T) 1245
Semester 2  
ST 282Surgical Technology Clinical Directed Practice 2 ( T) 1245
Total Credits:  487265

Electives

First Year Experience Elective
FYE 100College Success Strategies: Overview1
FYE 105College Success Strategies: Overview and Application2
FYE 110College Success Strategies: Practice and Application3
FYE 120College Success Strategies: Campus Integration4

Some courses are offered in alternative versions identified with a letter after the course number-- for example, ENG 101 and ENG 101A.

  • This curriculum displays only course numbers without the added letter.
  • The alternative version, when available, meets the requirements of the course version without the added letter.

The letters G, B, and T (displayed after course titles or elective descriptions) identify types of courses required by the Ohio Department of Higher Education as part of an associate’s degree curriculum. 

G = General Education course in this curriculum

B = Basic Skills course in this curriculum

T = Technical course in this curriculum

Surgical Technology First Assistant Certificate (STFA)

Program Prerequisites: Associate’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university; certified as a Surgical Technologist, with three years full-time scrub and/or assisting experience within the last five years; CPR/BLS certified; and courses BIO 220 Microbiology, BIO 240 Pathophysiology, IM 100 , and MCH 101 Medical Terminology 1.

Semester 1LecLabCredits
PST 135Disaster Preparedness for Healthcare Workers 202
STFA 150Perioperative Bioscience 303
STFA 155Principles of First Assisting 233
Semester 2  
STFA 161Surgical Specialties 1 707
STFA 181First Assisting Clinical 1 1122
Semester 3  
STFA 162Surgical Specialties 2 707
STFA 182First Assisting Clinical 2 1122
Total Credits:  232726

Surgical Technology (ST)

  • Students will be able to establish and maintain a safe surgical environment by correctly applying principles of asepsis.
  • Graduates will demonstrate basic knowledge, function, classification, care, and handling of surgical instrumentation.
  • Graduates will demonstrate entry level knowledge of pharmacology and medical terminology.
  • Graduates will demonstrate basic skills and knowledge essential for the various roles of a surgical technologist.
  • Graduates will demonstrate basic surgical procedures for development of skills in the scrub role.
  • Graduates will demonstrate the ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities associated with the care of the surgical patient.
  • Graduates will demonstrate advanced complex knowledge in specialty surgical procedures by reinforcement of scrub skills. 
  • Graduates will demonstrate real world practical experiences for application of theory and simulated skills through clinicals.
  • Graduates will successfully complete/pass the National Certification Examination and obtain the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) designation.

STFA Courses

STFA 150 Perioperative Bioscience
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on concepts of perioperative bioscience. Topics include: advanced microbiology and pathology, surgical pharmacology, and anesthesia management.
Prerequisites: Admitted to the STFA Certificate Program
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Instructor Consent Required

STFA 155 Principles of First Assisting
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.

A course on the history and role of the first assistant. Topics include: performing perioperative functions; moral, ethical, and legal responsibilities; surgical interventions for specific patient groups; complications and surgical emergencies; and career options.
Prerequisites: Admitted to STFA Certificate Program
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Instructor Consent Required

STFA 161 Surgical Specialties 1
7 Credits. 7 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on the first assistant's role in a variety of surgical procedures. Topics include: general surgery; endoscopic procedures; and gynecological, obstetrical, genitourinary, plastic/reconstructive, otorhinolaryngologic, and pediatric procedures.
Prerequisites: STFA 150, STFA 155 (minimum grade C for both)
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STFA 162 Surgical Specialties 2
7 Credits. 7 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A continuation of STFA 161. Topics include: orthopedic, ophthalmic, neurosurgical, perivascular, thoracic, cardiac, and pediatric surgical procedures.
Prerequisites: STFA 161 (minimum grade C)
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STFA 181 First Assisting Clinical 1
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 12 Lab Hours.

Students complete an individualized clinical practicum to demonstrate manual and behavioral skills under the preceptorship of a surgeon at a facility of student's choice. Skills application includes: general surgery; and endoscopic, gynecological, obstetrical, genitourinary, plastic/reconstructive, otorhinolaryngologic, and pediatric procedures.
Prerequisites: STFA 150, STFA 155 (minimum grade C for both)
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STFA 182 First Assisting Clinical 2
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 12 Lab Hours.

A continuation of STFA 181. Students must complete the required number of procedures, under the supervised preceptorship of a surgeon, in any combination of the following surgical specialties: pediatric, orthopedic, ophthalmic, neurosurgical, perivascular, thoracic, and cardiac surgical procedures.
Prerequisites: STFA 181
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ST Courses

ST 100 Introduction to Surgical Technology
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on the history and development of surgical technology. Topics include: the perioperative environment, surgical instrumentation, the surgical technologist's role and attributes for success, professional organizations, and legal terms related to the profession.
Prerequisites: None
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ST 101 Surgical Foundations and Procedures 1
6 Credits. 6 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on concepts and skills for surgical technology. Topics include: professional and workplace management; medical terminology; informatics; patient care; surgical asepsis and infection control; decontamination, disinfection, and reprocessing methods; instrumentation; sterile storage and distribution; basic pharmacology; anesthesia; specimen care; and surgical supplies and equipment.
Prerequisites: Admitted to the ST program through the selective enrollment process, and ST 100 and BIO 151 and MAT 105, and one FYE course (minimum grade C for all), and instructor consent
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Instructor Consent Required

ST 102 Surgical Foundations and Procedures 2
6 Credits. 6 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A continuation of ST 101. Topics include: wound classifications; wound healing; tissue approximation; sutures; abdominal incisions; and procedural steps for abdominal wall hernia repairs, and gastrointestinal and accessory organs, breast, gynecological, obstetrical, and plastic/reconstructive surgery.
Prerequisites: BIO 152 and BIO 220 and ST 101 (minimum grade C for all), and ST 111
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ST 111 Surgical Principles and Practice 1
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 3 Lab Hours.

A course that prepares students to perform assistant circulating skills through activities conducted in a simulated operating room setting on campus.
Prerequisites: Admitted to the ST program through the selective enrollment process, and ST 100 (minimum grade of C), and instructor consent
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Instructor Consent Required

ST 112 Surgical Principles and Practice 2
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 3 Lab Hours.

A course that prepares students to perform first scrub role skills through activities conducted in a simulated operating room setting on campus.
Prerequisites: ST 101 (minimum grade C), and ST 111
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ST 181 Surgical Technology Clinical Skills Application 1
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 3 Lab Hours.

Students participate in uncompensated clinical experiences performing beginning-level assistant circulating skills in the operating room of an affiliate hospital, and attend a weekly seminar.
Prerequisites: ST 101 (minimum grade C), and ST 111
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ST 182 Surgical Technology Clinical Skills Application 2
2 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 6 Lab Hours.

A continuation of ST 181. Students perform uncompensated beginning-level scrub skills during assigned operative procedures at an affiliate hospital. Students' skills are evaluated in relation to future employment.
Prerequisites: ST 102 (minimum grade C), and ST 112 and ST 181
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ST 201 Advanced Surgical Procedures 1
4 Credits. 4 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on specialized surgical procedures. Topics include: otorhinolaryngology procedures including head/neck and oral maxillary surgery; and ophthalmic, genitourinary, and orthopedic surgery.
Prerequisites: ST 102 (minimum grade C), and ST 112 and ST 181
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ST 202 Advanced Surgical Procedures 2
4 Credits. 4 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A continuation of ST 201. Topics include: perivascular, thoracic, cardiac, neurology, and transplant surgery, and pediatric procedures.
Prerequisites: ST 201 (minimum grade C), and ST 182
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ST 281 Surgical Technology Clinical Directed Practice 1
5 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 24 Lab Hours.

Students demonstrate competency in scrub skills related to general and specialty operative procedures at an assigned affiliate hospital, and attend a weekly seminar on campus.
Prerequisites: ST 201 (minimum grade C), and ST 182
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ST 282 Surgical Technology Clinical Directed Practice 2
5 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 24 Lab Hours.

A continuation of ST 281. Students demonstrate competency in scrub skills while performing assigned procedures at an affiliate hospital, and attend a weekly seminar on campus. Students must complete the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification examination as a course requirement.
Prerequisites: ST 202 (minimum grade C), and ST 281
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