SURG 101: Principles of Surgical Technology

Units: 8
Prerequisites: Admission to the Surgical Technology program; BIO 210, NURS 155, and PHAR 100
Corequisite: SURG 101L.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 8 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Spring

This course introduces the surgical technologist's role in the health care environment. Students develop fundamental team skills required to function as a technologist during the care of patients having surgery. The course focuses on the principles of aseptic techniques and surgical practice and covers basic principles of microbiology. Topics address preparation and practical implications required to perform the steps of an open appendectomy and a closed general laparoscopic surgical procedure, medications commonly used in the care of the surgical client, principles of anesthesia administration, and implications necessary during a surgical procedure's pre-, intra-, and post-operative phases.

SURG 101L: Surgical Patient Care Concepts

Units: 5
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: SURG 101
Enrollment Limitation: Dept. approval
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 15 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Spring

This laboratory accompaniment to SURG 101 provides direct, hands-on practice of skills and theory taught in the lecture course. Topics include pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative patient care, instrument and supply preparation, surgical pharmacology, anesthesia concepts, safety considerations, and the basic principles of microbiology, physics, and robotics as they relate to the operating room. Students learn how to prepare and perform the steps of a closed and open general surgical procedure within the surgical technologist’s scope of practice. Offered pass/no pass only.

SURG 104: Surgical Specialties

Units: 4
Prerequisites: SURG 101 and SURG 101L.
Corequisite: SURG 104L
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 4 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Summer

This course covers diagnostic and surgical interventions for patients undergoing surgeries related to specific body systems. It addresses anatomical locations and specific anatomy and pathophysiology related to the system. Topics include the pre-operative and intra-operative course for each surgery, including client positioning, supplies, necessary equipment and instrumentation, diagnostic tests, and procedural steps.

SURG 104L: Surgical Procedures

Units: 1
Prerequisites: SURG 101 and SURG 101L.
Corequisite: SURG 104
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Summer

This advanced course covers practical applications of diagnostic and surgical interventions for patients undergoing surgeries related to specific body systems. Students plan, prepare, and anticipate the surgeon's needs for any given surgical procedure. Students experience the pre-operative and intra-operative course for each surgery, including appropriate client positioning, supplies, necessary equipment and instrumentation, procedural steps, and specimen care, in a mock lab setting. Offered pass/no pass only.

SURG 105L: Clinical Practice for Surgical Technology

Units: 11
Prerequisites: SURG 104 and SURG 104L.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 33 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall

This course provides students with clinical experience in the operating room as well as with skills necessary to function as beginning surgical technologists. Under direct supervision and guidance of preceptors, students gain proficiency in responding to the needs of the surgical patient during the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of a surgical procedure and for serving in various roles, such as first scrub, circulator, and first assistant in the operating room. Offered Pass/No Pass only.

SURG 292: Internship Studies

Units: 0.5-3
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor, dept chair, and Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged

This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or intern at a new site upon each repetition. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.

SURG 299: Occupational Cooperative Work Experience

Units: 1-4
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged

Occupational Cooperative Work Experience Education is intended for students employed in a job directly related to their major. It allows such students the opportunity to apply the theories and skills of their discipline to their position and to undertake new responsibilities and learn new skills at work. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.