Basic Qualifications for Participation in the Program

Students admitted to the Surgical Technology Program at Frederick Community College must be able to meet the following technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations. These standards are necessary to ensure safe and effective participation in classroom, laboratory, and clinical environments and to protect the health and safety of patients.

 

Physical and Motor Abilities

Students must be able to:

• Stand, bend, stoop, and/or sit for extended periods of time with limited opportunities for breaks
• Remain in the operating room environment for lengthy surgical procedures
• Lift and carry a minimum of 20 pounds
• Manipulate surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment with speed, dexterity, and coordinated hand–eye movements
• Load fine sutures (e.g., 10-0) onto surgical needles
• Ambulate and move freely within the operating room and clinical environments
• Assist with lifting, moving, positioning, and supporting patients who may be unconscious, with or without assistive devices

 

Sensory Abilities

Students must be able to:

• Demonstrate sufficient visual acuity to identify anatomical structures, surgical instruments, and components of the sterile field
• Distinguish color, shape, size, depth, and texture of surgical supplies and tissues
• Demonstrate sufficient peripheral vision to safely function within the sterile surgical environment
• Hear and understand verbal communication from members of the surgical team, including muffled communication while masks are worn
• Hear and respond to activation signals and warning alarms on surgical and monitoring equipment
• Detect odors sufficient to maintain environmental and patient safety

 

Communication Abilities

Students must be able to:

• Communicate effectively and understand fluent English both verbally and in writing
• Understand and respond appropriately to verbal and/or written instructions and requests from faculty, clinical instructors, and members of the surgical team
• Convey information clearly and accurately during patient care and surgical procedures

 

Cognitive Abilities

Students must be able to:

• Demonstrate short- and long-term memory sufficient to track surgical instruments, supplies, and procedural steps
• Apply critical thinking and sound judgment in the operating room environment
• Anticipate the needs of the surgeon and surgical team during surgical procedures
• Integrate and apply knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, surgical procedures, and aseptic technique
• Respond appropriately to unexpected changes or emergency situations in the surgical environment

 

Behavioral and Professional Attributes

Students must be able to:

• Demonstrate emotional stability and professionalism in high-stress clinical environments
• Exhibit respectful and effective interpersonal communication with patients, faculty, staff, and members of the surgical team
• Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and accountability consistent with professional practice
• Utilize positive coping skills when working in stressful environments
• Maintain focus and composure during complex or emergency situations

 

Health and Safety Requirements

Students must be able to perform assigned duties in a manner that does not compromise the health or safety of patients, faculty, staff, or other students.
Students must comply with all program and clinical site health and safety requirements, including:

• Required immunizations and health screenings
• Communicable disease policies
• Substance-free workplace policies
• Clinical site safety protocols

 

Accommodation Statement

Students who believe they may require reasonable accommodations to meet these technical standards should contact the Frederick Community College Disability Access Services (DAS) Office to initiate the accommodation process. Approved accommodations will be communicated to the program in accordance with college policy.

 

Attribution

Adapted from:
Association of Surgical Technologists (AST). (2002). Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology. AST, Inc.

Students admitted to the Surgical Technology Program at Frederick Community College must be informed of the inherent occupational risks associated with the practice of surgical technology*. While safety education and protective measures are emphasized, these risks cannot be completely eliminated.

*Some listed risks only apply to clinical rotations.
Exposure to Infectious and Hazardous Materials

• Exposure to blood, body fluids, and potentially infectious materials
• Risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens including hepatitis and HIV
• Exposure to and contact with chemicals such as disinfectants, sterilants, medications, and cleaning agents *The surgery lab at FCC only uses mock medications

Sharps and Instrumentation Hazards

• Risk of cuts, punctures, or needlestick injuries from sharp surgical instruments and needles
• Exposure to hazards from handling powered surgical equipment and complex instrumentation

Physical and Ergonomic Risks

• Operating under conditions where prolonged standing, walking, bending, lifting, and repetitive motions are needed
• Risk of musculoskeletal strain or injury related to patient positioning and equipment handling

Environmental and Procedural Hazards

• Exposure to radiation from imaging and diagnostic equipment
• Exposure to surgical smoke (plume), anesthetic gases, and airborne contaminants
• Exposure to noise, bright lighting, temperature fluctuations, and confined workspaces

Psychological and Emotional Stressors

• High-pressure, time-sensitive surgical environments
• Exposure to trauma, critical illness, or death
• Exposure to irregular schedules, early start times, extended shifts, and on-call demands

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Students are required to obtain Basic Life Support CPR certification through the American Heart Association.
*Please select a course providing both didactic and manikin practice.

Background checks and drug screening
Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor may prohibit placement into a clinical site, applying for a professional license, or acquiring employment as a healthcare professional. Prior to applying for consideration in a healthcare program which requires clinical placement for program completion, please discuss any questions you may have with the program director or manager. Once admitted into the program, students are required to pay for and obtain criminal background checks and drug screening before starting clinical coursework; and random drug screening may occur at any time during clinical experiences.

Health Requirements

1. Students are required to provide proof of immunity to communicable diseases.
   1. Documentation of Immunizations and proof of immunity with blood titers- Varicella, MMR, and Hepatitis B. You must go to a laboratory to have bloodwork performed. Your physician provides the order.
2. Seasonal flu vaccination (required at all clinical sites) and COVID-19 vaccination (most clinical sites).
3. History and physical (H&P) exam to ensure students are fit to perform the essential duties for lab and clinicals. Your physician will complete this. 
4. Negative two-step PPD or appropriate levels on QuantiFERON gold depending on the clinical site requirements. 
   1. If there is a history of a positive PPD, then provide a negative chest x-ray.

The student will:

• Meet all academic, financial, and graduation criteria for Frederick Community College. Refer to the current catalog.
• Pass all surgical technology (SURG) courses with a minimum of a “C” grade and pass the clinical component of the courses. With any clinical or didactic failure in the last SURG course, the student may not sit for the national certification examination and may not receive a degree in surgical technology.
• Participate in and document at least 120 surgical procedures according to the latest criteria found in the Association of Surgical Technology’s Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology.
  • 120 cases required:
    30 General Surgery:
    minimum 20 1st scrub
    maximum 10 2nd scrub
    90 in Specialties:
    minimum 60 1st scrub
    maximum 30 2nd scrub
    At least 4 Specialties need to have at least 10 1st scrubs. May count 10 endo. & 5 vaginal deliveries as 2nd scrub