Harper College
Surgical Technology

Program Goals

The goal of the Harper College Surgical Technology program is to prepare competent entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession The Surgical Technology program at Harper College will produce graduates who meet the needs of employers and physicians, while ensuring the safety of the public through competent practice. Graduates will assume employment as skilled and conscientious health professionals providing quality patient care in conjunction with other members of the health care team.

Learning Domains

The Harper College Surgical Technology Program recognizes the importance of Bloom’s Taxonomy in the development of program specific learning objectives that will allow the student to demonstrate learning acquisition within the three domains of learning, cognitive, psychomotor, and affective. Program specific learning objectives are consistent with the Association for Surgical Technology (AST) Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology, 7th Edition.

Program Specific Learning Objectives The student/graduate will be able to:

COGNITIVE DOMAIN OBJECTIVES

  1. Apply the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology to the care of the perioperative patient as it relates to the role of the Surgical Technologist.
  2. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to attend to the physical, psychological and social needs of the patient.
  3. Engage in self-evaluation to identify strengths and areas for growth consistent with standards of the profession.
  4. Recognize the value of lifelong learning through continuing education to enhance professional and personal growth to stay current with technological advances in medicine.
  5. Sit for the National Certification examination offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

PSYCHMOTOR DOMAIN OBJECTIVES

The student/graduate will be able to:

  1. Apply aseptic technique and principles in the intraoperative setting.
  2. Exhibit safe practice methods involving preparation routines of the intraoperative environment, patient positioning and emergency procedures.
  3. React to breaks in aseptic technique with corrective action.
  4. Actively participate in the scrub role in a variety of procedures in surgical specialty areas according to hospital policy.
  5. Successfully assume the First Scrub role during surgical procedures.
  6. Maintain a grade of 75% or better in all Surgical Technology specific courses in the program.
  7. Maintain a grade of a C or better in all non-Surgical Technology courses
  8. Demonstrate perioperative technical skills and knowledge in a safe and effective manner.

AFFECTIVE DOMAIN OBJECTIVES

The student/graduate will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate comprehensive ethical, legal, moral and cultural awareness as they relate to the surgical technologist’s ability to provide patient care and fosters cooperation and success among members of the surgical team.
  2. Shows the importance of and the ability to model the professional attributes of the Surgical Technologist including the maintenance of a strict ‘surgical conscience’.
  3. Demonstrate dependability, honesty and integrity in clinical practice.
  4. Utilize critical thinking when performing the duties of the surgical technologist.
  5. Demonstrate accountability in their practice based on current surgical knowledge.
Last Updated: 1/22/26