Technical Standards: Surgical Technology

Functional Abilities

Gross Motor Skills

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

Fine Motor Skills

Perform fine motor skills with both right and left hands.
Pick up small objects with your hands.
Write with pen or pencil.
Key/type (use a computer)
Pinch/pick/squeeze/ turn with fingers (manipulate an instrument or syringe)
Simultaneous use of hands, wrists, fingers
Coordinate eye-hand and eye-hand foot.

Physical Strength and Endurance

Push and pull 50 pounds (position patient)
Support and lift 50 pounds of weight (carry instrument trays, hold arm or leg)
Carry equipment/ supplies (lift instrument pans)
Use upper body strength (retraction, physically restrain a patient)
Stand for long periods of time from 2-6 hours.
Maintain the same position for long periods of time.
Wear full surgical attire including personal protective equipment for long periods of time.
Sustained repetitive movements.
Function in a fast-paced work environment for hours

Hearing

Ability to hear normal speaking level sounds.
Hear faint voices and body sounds (heartbeat)
Ability to discriminate speech in the presence of background noises.
Hear in situations when not able to see lips.
Ability to hear and discriminate various equipment sounds and alarms.

Visual

Demonstrate visual acuity (with correction if needed) within normal range.
See objects up to 20 inches away.
Use depth perception.
Use peripheral vision.
Distinguish color and color intensity (color codes on supplies)
See in darkened room (during endoscope procedures, eye surgery)
Ability to read fine print.

Tactile

Feel vibrations (palpate pulses)
Detect temperature (solutions)
Feel differences in sizes, shapes.
Detect the environmental temperature.

Communication Skills

Speak and write in English.
Listen/comprehend spoken/written word.
Collaborate with others (health care workers, peers)
Comprehend and exhibit non-verbal communication.
Respond quickly and in an emotionally controlled manner in emergency situations.

Problem Solving Ability

Adapt effectively, displaying flexibility in environments with high tension to ensure patient safety.
Concentrate and pay attention to detail. Ability to learn quickly without repetition of instructions.
Demonstrate the ability to read and write at the college level.
The ability to develop and improve skills in organization of work and in learning to use economy of time and motion.
Students may be required to be flexible and capable of working in stressful situations while maintaining composure to aid in patient care and to safeguard the life of a patient.

Miscellaneous

Withstand unusual sights and smells.
Students must be 18 years of age or older to attend a clinical rotation.

Occupational Hazards

Students enrolled in the Surgical Technology and Sterile Processing programs must recognize that participation in laboratory and clinical education involves inherent occupational risks. These risks are similar to those encountered by healthcare professionals in operating rooms, sterile processing departments, and other clinical settings.

The clinical and laboratory environments may include exposure to communicable diseases and potentially hazardous substances, including but not limited to bloodborne pathogens, sterilants and disinfectants, ionizing radiation, surgical smoke/plume, chemical fumes, and the potential development of latex sensitivity or allergy.

Additional occupational hazards may include:

Exposure to sharps and needles, with associated risk of cuts or puncture injuries
Contact with bodily fluids, contaminated instruments, and biohazardous waste
Musculoskeletal strain related to prolonged standing, repetitive motion, lifting, pushing, or pulling equipment and supplies
Thermal hazards, including exposure to steam, hot instruments, and sterilization equipment
Noise exposure from equipment and alarms
Psychological stress associated with high-pressure clinical environments, time-sensitive procedures, and critical patient care situations

Students are expected to comply with all safety policies, infection control standards, and occupational health guidelines, including the consistent use of required personal protective equipment (PPE). Instruction in safety practices, standard precautions, and risk mitigation strategies is provided as part of the curriculum; however, participation in the program signifies acknowledgment that these occupational hazards cannot be completely eliminated.