Surgical Operating Room Technology

Admission Requirements

A new class will be admitted to the Surgical Technology Program each spring semester. Student selection is based on completion of all requirements: ACT scores, GPA and grades received in required general education courses. Admission to the program is competitive, and the number of students accepted is limited by the number of faculty and clinical space available. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

1. Unconditional admission to the college. Apply for admission. 
2. Submit online program application by midnight November 1 prior to the spring semester the student prefers to be admitted.
3. Submit supporting documents to the Admissions Office by the deadline:
   • All official high school and college transcripts or official GED scores
   • Official ACT scores (a minimum composite score of 18 is recommended but not required. Additional ranking points will be awarded for ACT composite scores of 18 or higher)
     • The Surgical Technology Program will accept an ACT Superscore if it is sent directly from ACT to Gadsden State Community College as your score recipient. Keep in mind the following: ACT does not include ACT Residual On-Campus testing in determining the Superscore. You must contact ACT and request (there is an associated fee) the Superscore be sent to Gadsden State. We will NOT calculate the Superscore. The Superscore must be the official score calculated and sent by ACT. The Superscore must be received by the application deadline. If you plan to use a Superscore you must send your full name, date of birth, A# and date Superscore was requested from ACT to Diane Ledbetter at dledbetter@xiaoneizhi.com. We will need this information to verify receipt of the score.
4. Must be 18 years old before summer semester (clinical begins during summer semester and clinical affiliates require a minimum age of 18).
5. A minimum of 2.5 overall GPA at Gadsden State for all college courses taken. If no courses have been completed at Gadsden State, GPA from High School or from college institution from which student is transferring may be used.
6. Minimum of 2.5 GPA for required Surgical Technology general education courses
7. Must be eligible for placement into the following courses:
   • English 101
   • Math 100
8. Must be in good standing with the College
9. Must meet the Essential Functions required for Surgical Technology students. 
10. Pass a criminal background check* and drug test upon admission to the program. Students are also subject to random and “for-cause” drug testing during the length of the program.
11. Submit a completed health questionnaire and immunization records upon request by the program. 
12. Demonstrate proof of medical insurance. Students who do not show proof of insurance will not be allowed to attend clinicals.

Review the Surgical Technology Ranking Sheet. 

Essential Functions/Certifications

The student entering and participating in Surgical Technology must be able to stand for prolonged periods.

• Be able to work in a limited space
• Be able to perform under pressure in a stressful or emergency situation
• Be oriented to reality and not be mentally impaired by mind-altering substances
• Hear high and low-frequency sounds within normal range with or without corrective devices
• Possess the visual acuity to read, write, and assess the patient and the environment with or without corrective lens
• Be able to position and transfer patients with assistance as needed during surgical procedures
• Be able to read, comprehend, communicate, and write legibly in the English language
• Be able to send, receive and respond appropriately to verbal messages
• Possess manual dexterity and tactile ability
• Be able to smell body and environmental odors
• Be able to correctly perform simple mathematical computations
• Possess organizational skills
• Be able to lift and transport 50 pounds

Any student who has had a medical event (accident, surgery, bed rest, hospitalization, birth, etc.) that would prevent them from meeting the essential functions required for the program must provide a medical release from the physician stating that the student can meet the essential functions before returning to the clinical area.

Clinical Obligations

Upon acceptance into the Surgical Technology Program, students must have a background check and undergo a drug screen (at the student’s expense). Students must also have a physical (form provided), submit an immunization record and maintain health insurance while enrolled in the program. At the New Student Orientation, the program will provide information concerning how and when these will be performed.

A variety of clinical affiliates* are used within the surrounding eight (8) counties. The program makes every effort to avoid excessive driving distances but cannot guarantee a specific clinical assignment. Students should expect to travel and must have reliable transportation during the last three semesters of the program.

Clinical assignments will occur between approximately 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  The specific time for each clinical rotation is determined based on the clinical affiliate surgical schedule and is subject to change. Students will not be assigned to a clinical site during holidays observed by Gadsden State or during semester breaks of Gadsden State in which the College is formally closed. Students will not be assigned to surgical/operating rooms in which immediate relatives (spouses, siblings, parents, and children) are employed. If a student has relatives employed in other departments of the clinical affiliate, the assignment will be at the discretion of the program faculty. Program faculty will assign clinical rotations based on availability.

Clinical Sites	City, County
Gadsden Regional Medical Center	Gadsden, Etowah County
Riverview Regional Medical Center	Gadsden, Etowah County
Children’s Hospital	Birmingham, Jefferson County
Grandview Medical Center	Birmingham, Jefferson County
RMC Stringfellow	Anniston, Calhoun County
Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center	Anniston, Calhoun County
Dekalb Regional Medical Center	Fort Payne, Dekalb County
Marshall Medical Center South	Boaz, Marshall County
Brookwood Citizens Baptist Medical Center	Talladega, Talladega County

*Additional clinical sites may be added to enhance students’ learning.

Surgical Technology: Clinical Case Requirements

Surgical Specialty	Min # 1st Scrub	Min # 2nd Scrub	Total # Cases Required
General Surgery	20	10	30
Surgical Specialties Cardiothoracic ENT Eyes GU Neuro Ob-Gyn OMFS Orthopedics Peripheral Vascular Plastics Procurement/Transplant	60	30	90
Diagnostic Endoscopy Bronchoscopy Colonoscopy Cystoscopy EGD ERCP Esophagoscopy Laryngoscopy Panendoscopy Sinoscopy Ureteroscopy		10 (second scrub only)
Labor and Delivery		5 vaginal deliveries (2nd scrub only)
Totals	80	40	120

 

Students must complete 120 cases with a minimum of 240 clinical hours. Of these cases:

• 30 cases must be in General Surgery with a minimum of 20 cases in the first scrub role.
• 90 cases must be completed in various surgical specialties with a minimum of 60 cases in the first scrub role.

 

15 cases in any one specialty are the most that can be counted toward the 120-case total. Once the student has reached the minimum requirements, they can continue with any cases available and must keep a record of those cases.

All clinical cases must be documented on the clinical case log, including observation cases (although these cases do not count toward the 120 total cases).

10 endoscopy and 5 vaginal deliveries can be counted toward the maximum number of second scrub cases (maximum number being 40). These are not required.

Grading System

The college-wide grading policy which is in place for all general education courses and is in the College Catalog.

The Surgical Technology Program uses the following grading scale for all programmatic courses:

Percentage Grade	Letter Grade
90-100	A
80-89	B
75-79	C
70-74	D
Below 70	F

Estimated Expenses

These expenses are in addition to tuition and fees.

Items	Cost
Compliance Tracking	$100 (background check, initial drug screen and health information tracking)
Drug Screen	$37 (2nd fall semester, random, "for cause")
Physical and Lab Testing	$200
Textbooks	$800 (entire program)
Medical Liability Insurance	$32
Uniforms	$200
Application fee for Degree	$10
Application fee to apply for Surgical Technology examination	$247
Total	$1,616.00

 

All fees are approximations and are subject to change.

Transfer Policy

Students seeking to transfer into the Gadsden State Surgical Technology Program from another program must meet the following requirements:

1. Unconditional admission to the College with clear academic status.
2. Ability to meet and comply with standards and policies in the current College Catalog and Student Handbook.
3. Completion of requirements of initial admission (application, background check, drug screen, health records, etc.).
4. Minimum grade point average of 2.5 for the required general education courses.
5. No longer than 33 months elapse from the initial admission term at the institution from which transferring to date of graduation. 
6. Official transcripts verifying a minimum grade of “C” earned in courses which represent collegiate coursework relevant to the degree with course content and level of instruction resulting in student competencies at least equivalent for those matriculating students. Alabama Community College System Standardized Surgical Technology Curriculum courses will be transferred without review of the course syllabus. Verification of knowledge and/or skills may be required.
7. Eligibility to return to previous Surgical Technology Program in good standing.
8. No more than one semester in which a grade of “D” or “F” has been earned in a surgical technology course.
9. Cohort and/or Clinical space availability. 
10. Completion of 25% of the total required hours for the A.A.S. Degree in Surgical Technology at an institution conferring degree.

FAQ

What is the Surgical Technology program?

The Surgical Technology Program is a five (5) semester Program that enables successful graduates to take the national certification examination. The Program culminates in an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Surgical Technology.

May I take the Surgical Technology courses at any Gadsden State Campus?

No, courses are only offered in Anniston on the Ayers Campus. The general education courses required for the Program may be taken at most campuses and/or online.

When can I start the Surgical Technology program?

You must apply by the deadline date and be accepted to the Program. The deadline date is November 1st of each year. Once accepted a student would start in the following spring semester.

How do I apply for the Surgical Technology program?

Complete the online application found under the Apply to the Surgical Technology Program tab above.

How many students are accepted into the Program each fall?

The Program accepts twenty (20) students to start the Program each fall. The number is limited due to clinical space availability.

If I meet the “Admission Requirements,” will I be in the Surgical Technology program?

No. Admission is competitive; all applicants are ranked according to their test scores and grades. Those applicants with the highest scores will be offered a seat in the class.

How do I sign up for the ACT?

Visit ACT.org to register for the ACT Test.

Is there a minimum ACT score requirement?

Yes and no.  A minimum ACT composite score of 18 is recommended and additional ranking points on the ranking sheet will be awarded for scores of 18 or higher. You will still be eligible with a score of 17 or less, however your chances are better with the higher score.

Is there a limit to the number of times I can take the ACT?

ACT places a testing limit of 12 attempts

Can I take a Surgical Technology course online?

Surgical Technology courses are not offered online.

Can I take Surgical Technology courses in the evening?

Surgical Technology classes are taught primarily during the day. Some labs may be in the late afternoon.

Do you offer a part-time option for Surgical Technology?

No, the Surgical Technology Program is offered on a full-time basis only. If all general education courses are completed prior to admission to the Program, full-time status could fall below the standard 12 hours considered as full-time enrollment.

What prerequisites are required for the Surgical Technology program?

The Surgical Technology Program does not have any “true” prerequisites. All applicants must be eligible for MTH 100 (Note: MTH 116 is not a higher-level math and will not meet this requirement), ENG 101 and BIO 201 in the spring semester of entrance into the program.  Students are encouraged to complete as many general education courses as possible prior to being admitted into the program; this lessens the intensity of each semester and allows students additional time to focus on their surgical technology coursework. 

The curriculum indicates I need a Humanities elective.  What course(s) will count for the humanities elective?

Most courses from Area II of the Alabama General Studies Curriculum (AGSC) can be used to satisfy the humanities elective requirement. Some of the courses taught at Gadsden State that can be used for the elective are as follows:

• ART 100: Art Appreciation
• MUS 101: Music Appreciation
• THR 120: Theater Appreciation
• PHL 206: Ethics in Society
• HUM 101: Introduction to Humanities
• REL 151: Survey of Old Testament
• REL 152: Survey of New Testament.

Please note there are additional courses that may satisfy this requirement, depending on individual interest and schedule; however, the course(s) must be at least 3 credit hours.

Do I have to complete all the general education courses required before applying to the Surgical Technology program?

No. You must be eligible for MTH 100 (Note: MTH 116 is not a higher-level math and will not meet this requirement), ENG 101 and BIO 201 in the spring semester of entrance into the program. It is recommended that you have as many general education courses completed as possible, but this is not required. This will lighten the coursework and improve your chances of being selected for the Program.

Are there any other requirements after I have submitted my application?

Yes. You will need to submit official high school & college (if applicable) transcripts and ACT scores to the Admissions and Records Office by the November 1st deadline.  In addition, all applicants will receive notification regarding an Applicant Information Session.  Attendance at this session is mandatory. If an applicant does not attend this session his/her application will not be reviewed.

What is the Applicant Information Session?

The Applicant Information Session is a mandatory session at which all aspects of the program are discussed with the applicants. Program faculty, operating room managers, clinical instructors, and currently enrolled students provide insight into the program for those in attendance. Attendance at this session is mandatory. If an applicant does not attend this session his/her application will not be reviewed. Details concerning this session are included in the confirmation letter sent upon completion of the online application.

Can I email the application?

No, the application is only submitted online.

May I deliver my official transcripts by hand?

Yes. Hand delivered transcripts must be sealed, stamped "OFFICIAL," and delivered to the Admissions and Records Office in the One Stop Center on the East Broad Campus in Gadsden.  If the transcripts are opened, or appear tampered with, they will not be accepted.

How long is the waiting list?

The Surgical Technology Program does not have a “Waiting List.” Students must apply for the program each year. Each student is ranked based on grades and the top students are admitted. A limited number of students are placed on an alternate list should an opening be available before the program begins.

How will I be notified about program acceptance?

You will be notified by your GSCC email. You will receive an email stating your status approximately 4 weeks after the deadline date. You will receive one of three letters: acceptance, alternate, or not accepted. The letter is sent to your Gadsden State email. Personal email addresses will not be used to notify students of information related to GSCC.

Must I have the Essential Functions form signed by a physician when I apply for admission?

No. The Essential Functions form is signed by the student as recognition of the physical and mental requirements of the program once he/she is accepted into the program, not as part of the application process. All applicants should review this form prior to applying.

When should my health records be submitted?

Your health records will need to be turned in AFTER admission to the program. Instructions will accompany your acceptance letter.

I don’t have money to complete the health requirements.  Why does Gadsden State require so many?

The clinical affiliates have certain requirements to guarantee the health and safety of their patients. Students are required to meet those stipulations so that they can attend the clinical settings for their education. These requirements will be necessary for anyone in a healthcare field while in school and later during employment.