Surgical Professions

Surgical Professions at Collin

The program options of Surgical Professions represent the hands-on career aspects of the operating room (OR) surgical setting - working alongside surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other healthcare workers delivering patient care before, during, and after surgery.

Central Sterile Processing

A sterile processing technician plays a key role in the surgical environment, indirectly providing patient care. Sterile processing technicians carefully sterilize each medical instrument and piece of equipment to ensure the safety of patients and medical staff. Central Sterile Processing technicians play a critical role in preventing infection by sterilizing, cleaning, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing medical supplies for safe use in surgical procedures.

The certificate in Central Sterile Processing is a four course, two-semester certificate program with three modular courses in the first semester, followed by the on-site clinical course in the second semester. Upon completion of the program modular courses, students are eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), which provides a provisional certification, secured by completion of the required clinical hours.

Surgical Technology

A surgical technologist is a health care professional who prepares the operating room (OR) before surgery. The surgical technologist is a crucial part of a surgical care team, providing patient care alongside the surgeon, assistant, nurse, and the anesthesia provider. While the primary role of the surgical technologist is to pass sterile instruments and supplies to the surgeon and assistant, depending on the operation, they might also prepare robotic surgical equipment, hold organs in place, or hold retractors.

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Surgical Technology at Collin College is a 12-month program (Summer, Fall, Spring) that will prepare the student to work as an entry-level surgical technologist. The course of study consists of approved courses from the Workforce Education Course Manual of Texas. Upon completion of the program, the student is qualified to sit for the national certification examination for surgical technologists. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs accredits our program allowing graduates to become eligible for the Certified Surgical Technologist, (CST) credential.

Surgical Assisting

Surgical assistants are advanced allied health professionals, and the first people surgeons turn to help ensure safe, effective, streamlined surgical procedures. Under supervision of the surgeon, surgical assistants are responsible for skills ranging from body plane closures, wound visualization, hemostasis, and the application of advanced knowledge of all surgical phases.

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, the Collin College Surgical Assisting Program is the only program in Texas and one of only thirteen nationwide.

The Advanced Technical Certificate in Surgical Assisting is a one-year program that begins in the summer semester and continues in the fall and spring semesters. Classes are hybrid and offered at the McKinney Campus and online. Enrollment is selective and competitive. Upon successful completion of the program the student is awarded an Advanced Technical Certificate in Surgical Assisting and is eligible to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Certified Surgical First Assist (CSFA) exam.

Surgical Professions Admission Requirements

CENTRAL STERILE PROCESSING

There are no prerequisites for the Central Sterile Processing courses. Interested students may register for the courses once accepted to Collin College.

Requirements for Central Sterile Processing clinical course:

• Complete all immunizations required by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS)*
• Current Basic Life Support Certification provided by the American Heart Association.
• Show proof of health insurance.
• Complete the health exam with a satisfactory result exam prior to application deadline.
• Consent to criminal background check (note that negative results may compromise clinical placement)
• Consent to drug screening (note that negative results may compromise clinical placement)

​SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY

Admission to the Surgical Technology program is selective and competitive. Please see the program's specific qualifications on the department website.

Special Admission Requirements - Surgical Technology Program:

• Apply for admission to Collin College
• Provide proof of high school graduation or GED
• Submit all college transcripts to Advising for evaluation.
• Submit program application to the Surgical Technology Department
• GPA 2.5 in all prerequisite courses

Additional Requirements for Surgical Technology Program Admission:

• Attend Surgical Technology Program information session.
• Submit two reference letters attesting to your character and work ethic written by faculty or employer.
• Submit an essay (min 1 page typed): Topic - What makes you a strong candidate for the Surgical Technology Program? What do you feel is the biggest challenge you will face in the program?
• Be prepared to participate in an interview with Program staff and scheduled for an interview after the application deadline.
• Place required documents in a folder or large envelope and return the completed application, along with other required application documents, to the drop box in H225A or to the Program administrative assistant, Monday-Friday, 8 am - 5 pm in H201, Health Sciences Division Office, McKinney Campus, 2200 W. University Drive, McKinney, Texas 75071.

Upon admission to the Surgical Technology Program, students will be required to upload the following documents to the Program's clinical tracking system:

• Current Immunization record*
• Current CPR card (front/back)
• Health Insurance (front/back)
• Signed wavier for drug screening (Fall/Spring only) 
• Signed wavier for background check (Fall/Spring)
• Completed Medical Questionnaire (supplied by program)

*Immunization of Health-Care Workers:

Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC):

• ACIP strongly recommends that all Health Care Workers (HCWs) be vaccinated against (or have documented immunity to) hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella.
• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis: Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) booster is recommended for all persons every 10 years.
• Influenza vaccine is due by the first week of October.
• Before the beginning of the Fall semester, submit written proof of a Quantiferon Gold, IGRA or T-spot TB BLOOD test only. If the TB Blood test is positive, a negative chest x- ray within the last 5 years must be submitted.
• MMR is two vaccinations or Titer.
• Other vaccines may be required based on personal risk factors.

Please consult the Texas Department of Health and CDC for recommendations. Visit http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6104a9.htm and/or http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/Schedule/schedule_adult.shtm for more information.

Additional Source: Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part I, Chapter 97, Subchapter B, Rules 97.62, 97.64, 97.65.

* It is important to note that one of the required vaccinations, Hepatitis B, consists of a three-dose series, which can take up to 7 months to complete. All immunizations must be complete before the first clinical day.

SURGICAL ASSISTING

Admission to the Surgical Assisting program is selective and competitive. Please see the program's specific qualifications on the department website.

Special Admission Requirements - Surgical Assisting Program:

• Apply for admission to Collin College.
• Submit program application to the Surgical Assisting Department.
• Two years recent experience as a clinical Surgical Technologist with an associate degree or higher (see *Note below), or an OR Nurse w/ current CNOR, or PA graduate of an accredited medical school, or a Bachelor of Science degree or higher with three years of current surgical assisting operating room experience.
• Submit official copies of all college transcripts denoting degrees earned to both Collin College and to the Surgical Assisting Department.
• Submit two letters of recommendation from physicians.
• Submit official copies of ALL listed transcripts emailed encrypted to drsmith@collin.edu from your listed educational institution or mailed to Donna R Smith, Program Director, at 2200 W. University H201, McKinney, Texas.
• Handwritten 1 (one) page essay on why you are interested in Surgical Assisting.
• Copy of CST Certification or current CNOR Certification.
• Copy of current AHA BLS card.
• Respond via email to the three-question survey that will be emailed to you upon receipt of your program application to the program.
• Be prepared to participate in an interview with Program staff and scheduled for an interview after the application deadline.

Note: A Bridge Opportunity is available for Surgical Assisting Program candidates who are Certified Surgical Technologists (CST), have a minimum of two years' recent experience, but do not possess an associate degree or higher. Contact the Surgical Assisting Program Director at drsmith@collin.edu for more information.

Upon admission to the Surgical Assisting Program, students will be required to provide the following documents to the Program Director:

• Current Immunization record*
• Current Basic Life Support Certification provided by the American Heart Association.
• Health Insurance (front/back).
• Provide proof of malpractice insurance prior to starting clinical rotations each semester.
• Signed wavier for drug screening (Fall/Spring only).
• Signed wavier for background check (Fall/Spring).
• Completed Medical Questionnaire (supplied by program).

*Immunization of Health-Care Workers:

Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC):

• ACIP strongly recommends that all Health Care Workers (HCWs) be vaccinated against (or have documented immunity to) hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, d varicella.
• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis: Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) booster is recommended for all persons every 10 years.
• Influenza vaccine is due by the first week of October.
• Before the beginning of the Fall semester, submit written proof of a Quantiferon Gold, IGRA or T-spot TB BLOOD test only. If the TB Blood test is positive, a negative chest x- ray within the last 5 years must be submitted.
• MMR is two vaccinations or Titer.
• Other vaccines may be required based on personal risk factors.

Please consult the Texas Department of Health and CDC for recommendations. Visit http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6104a9.htm and/or http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/Schedule/schedule_adult.shtm for more information.

Additional Source: Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part I, Chapter 97, Subchapter B, Rules 97.62, 97.64, 97.65

Health Insurance - All Central Sterile, Surgical Technology, and Surgical Assisting students are required to show proof of health insurance prior to starting clinical rotations each semester. Additionally, Surgical Assisting students are required to show proof of malpractice insurance prior to starting clinical rotations each semester.
 

FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES/CORE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS STATEMENT

After initial acceptance to these programs, all students are required to meet specific functional abilities, with or without accommodations, for successful completion of the programs, and to function safely and effectively in a variety of professional and surgical settings. The specific functional requirements are found on the Surgical Professions website for each program. Students who think they may not be able to meet the functional standards and need accommodation are encouraged to contact the college ACCESS department as soon as this program is of interest.

ACCREDITATION

Both the Collin College Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) - Surgical Assisting Program, and the AAS - Surgical Technology program are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Committee on Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARCSTA). They may be contacted at:

Licensure Notice: Students who have been involved with the criminal system, please be advised that your background could keep you from obtaining licensure from the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the Program Director. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.

Students planning to transfer to a college or university should check with Collin College academic advisors. Also check the degree requirement of the intended transfer college prior to beginning this program to verify course degree applicability.

Department Website
https://www.collin.edu/department/surgicalprofessions/