This 62 credit-hour curriculum prepares the student for a career as a Surgical Technologist. Surgical technologists are integral members of the healthcare team, providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings such as operating rooms and outpatient surgical centers. The surgical technologist works directly under the supervision of the surgeon during invasive surgical procedures to ensure that the operating room environment is fully prepared with surgical instruments, properly functioning equipment and environmental conditions that maximize patient safety.
Students will engage in clinical experiences built upon didactic instruction in healthcare sciences, technological sciences, patient care concepts, and surgical procedures. Because of the nature of clinical experiences, individualized instruction, and specialized technology/equipment, this program assesses a higher tuition rate for courses with the SUR prefix. For the Fall 2023 and the Spring 2024 semesters, students will pay the regular rate of tuition and the College will fund the differential portion of tuition. Starting the Summer 2024 semester, students will pay the full differential tuition of 1.5 the regular rate of tuition.
Surgical Technology is a limited enrollment program. For admission requirements, please contact the Admissions Outreach Office at 847.925.6700 or visit harpercollege.edu. Students who apply for this limited enrollment program are obligated to meet current admission requirements and follow program curriculum as defined at the time of acceptance to the program.
A grade of C or better in all BIO and HSC courses is required.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 260 | Human Anatomy1 | 4 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Introduces the anatomy of the human body; the following systems studied either regionally or systemically: integumentary, skeletal, articular, muscular, circulatory, lymphatic, nervous, respiratory, digestive, excretory, endocrine and reproductive. Includes some introductory histology. Specially designed for students in health careers, biology, and physical education. Strongly recommended preparation: One year of high school biology with a grade of C or better taken within the last five years, or BIO 110. (NOTE: Lab science credit.) Formerly BIO 160. IAI BIO 920C Prerequisite: Placement into ENG 101. english-placement-grid.php Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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| HSC 112 | Medical Terminology | 2 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Emphasizes the origin and the basic structure of medical words, including prefixes, suffixes, word roots, combining forms and plurals. Offers pronunciation, spelling, and definition of medical terms based on the body systems approach. Emphasis on rendering a professional vocabulary required for work in the health care field. Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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A grade of C or better is required in all BIO and SUR courses.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 261 | Human Physiology | 4 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Emphasizes physiological principles at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and system level, as they pertain to the human organism. The following systems are studied in detail: skeletal, muscular, circulatory, nervous, digestive, respiratory, urinary, reproductive and endocrine. In this course, special applications will be made to meet the needs of students in health careers, biology and physical education.(NOTE: Lab science credit.) Formerly BIO 161. IAI BIO 920C Prerequisite: BIO 260 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication2 | 3 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Theory and practice of oral communications. Development of poise, confidence and skill in speech organization and delivery. Emphasis on frequent speaking, development of standards of criticism and selection and organization of material. IAI C2 900 Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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| SUR 100 | Orientation to the Profession | 1 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Introduces the student to the role of the surgical technologist and the professional practice of surgical technology. Emphasizes professionalism, organizations, credentialing and employability skills such as effective communication and teamwork. Students will investigate ethical, moral and legal issues, and hazard preparations, risk management and organizational relationships within the healthcare facility. Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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| SUR 101 | Surgical Pharmacology | 2 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Introduces basic concepts and skills in pharmacology and anesthesia related to surgical technology. Emphasis is given to classification, indications, interactions and adverse reactions of commonly used medications. Terminology, abbreviations, dosage calculation, and weights and measures associated with medication administration are presented. Students are also exposed to the principles of anesthesia administration and the biopsychosocial needs of the patient. Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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| SUR 110 | Fundamentals of Sterile Processing | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Introduces the primary responsibilities of a sterile processing technician. Emphasizes preparation, distribution and storage of instruments, supplies and equipment; quality assurance; and inventory management. Teaches students how to minimize contagions and maintain healthy hospitals, while enforcing decontamination standards in a variety of clinical settings. Corequisite: SUR 111 Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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| SUR 111 | Fundamentals/Sterile Processing Lab | 1 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Provides supervised lab training applying the primary responsibilities of a sterile processing technician. Emphasizes preparation, distribution and storage of instruments, supplies and equipment; quality assurance; and inventory management. Teaches students how to minimize contagions and maintain healthy hospitals, while enforcing decontamination standards in a variety of clinical settings. Corequisite: SUR 110 Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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A grade of C or better is required in all SUR courses.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | Composition | 3 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of C or better. Other placement options: english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 086 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 099 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with required reading placement test score. Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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| Mathematics3 | 3 | AAS General Education | |
| SUR 102 | Fundamentals of Surgical Technology | 4 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Presents fundamental principles and skills necessary for use of aseptic technique in surgical technology. Emphasizes the role of the surgical technologist including scrubbing and circulating duties, safety, ethical and legal considerations. Instrumentation for surgical procedures, equipment sterilization and maintenance are included in the course as well as pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative preparations, and activities of the surgical technologist. Prerequisite: BIO 261, SUR 100 and SUR 101 with grades of C or better. Corequisite: SUR 103 Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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| SUR 103 | Fundamentals of Surgical Technology Lab | 2 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Applies knowledge gained in didactic coursework within SUR 102 (Fundamentals of Surgical Technology.) Students will apply theoretical knowledge in the performance of tasks performed by surgical technologists in perioperative care. Emphasizes equipment sterilization, maintenance, pre-operative preparations and the activities of the surgical technologist. Prerequisite: SUR 100 and SUR 101 with grades of C or better. Corequisite: SUR 102 Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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| SUR 104 | Surgical Procedures I | 4 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Introduces relevant anatomy and physiology, factors unique to surgical procedures, supplies, equipment and instrumentation needed for various surgical procedures. Content covers general, obstetric, gynecological and genitourinary surgical procedures. Focuses on perioperative care including diagnostic testing, pre-operative and immediate post-operative care. Prerequisite: SUR 100 and SUR 101 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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A grade of C or better is required in all SUR courses.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUR 105 | Clinical Applications I | 2 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Applies the principles and practice of basic surgical procedures during clinical rotations in affiliated hospitals. Introduces the students to the scrub role in the operating room as Observation role, Second Scrub, and First Scrub. Beginner level study includes the application of basic skills learned in the laboratory setting with an emphasis on General, Obstetric, Gynecological and Genitourinary surgical procedures. Focuses on knowledge, skills and professionalism necessary for perioperative case management. Prerequisite: SUR 100 and SUR 101 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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A grade of C or better is required in all SUR courses.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUR 201 | Surgical Procedures II | 6 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Examines advanced surgical procedures in relation to the physiological aspects of surgical intervention including ophthalmic; ear, nose and throat; oral and maxillofacial; plastic and orthopedic procedures. Focuses on knowledge of the involved anatomy, existing pathology, surgical hazards encountered, and a review of perioperative patient care. Prerequisite: SUR 104 and SUR 105 with grades of C or better. Corequisite: SUR 202 Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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| SUR 202 | Clinical Applications II | 5 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Applies the principles and practice of basic to complex surgical procedures during clinical rotations in affiliated hospitals. Continues familiarizing the students to the scrub role in the operating room as Observation role, Second Scrub, and First Scrub. Intermediate level study includes the application of skills learned in the laboratory setting and SUR 105 Clinical Applications I with an emphasis on Ophthalmic, Otorhinolaryngology; Oral and Maxillofacial; Plastic and Reconstructive; Orthopedic surgical procedures. Focuses on knowledge, skills and professionalism necessary for perioperative case management. Prerequisite: SUR 104 and SUR 105 with grades of C or better. Corequisite: SUR 201 Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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A grade of C or better is required in all SUR courses.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAS General Education elective+ | 3 | AAS General Education | |
| SUR 203 | Surgical Procedures III | 4 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Examines specialized surgical procedures related to peripheral vascular, thoracic, cardiac and neurosurgery. Includes knowledge of the involved anatomy, existing pathology, surgical hazards encountered, and a review of perioperative patient care. Prerequisite: SUR 201 and SUR 202 with grades of C or better. Corequisite: SUR 204 Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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| SUR 204 | Clinical Applications III | 6 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Applies the principles and practice of basic to major complex surgical procedures during clinical rotations in affiliated hospitals. Applies all knowledge learned while assisting the surgical team with the daily pre, peri and post-operative duties of a surgical technologist. Students will progress through increasingly complex first and second scrubbing surgical procedures as they move toward entry-level surgical technologist abilities. Intermediate level study includes the application of skills learned in the laboratory setting, SUR 105 Clinical Applications I and SUR 202 Clinical Applications II with an emphasis on Neuro; Peripheral Vascular and Cardiothoracic surgical procedures. Focuses on knowledge, skills and professionalism necessary for perioperative case management. Prerequisite: SUR 201 and SUR 202 with grades of C or better. Corequisite: SUR 203 Class Schedule: Spring 2024 |
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1 - Must be completed no earlier than five years prior to beginning the Surgical Technology program.
2 - Students must meet the prerequisite of placement into ENG 101 prior to registering for this course.
3 - Placement into MTH 080 (Intermediate Algebra) or higher. Students using math competency need to take a three credit-hour AAS General Education course. See Math Competency options for information. See full list of AAS General Education Electives.
+ - Students need to choose a course to meet this requirement that also fulfills the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement. See full list of AAS General Education Electives.
At the conclusion of the Surgical Technology program, the student will be able to:
