Gulf Coast State College | Surgical First Assisting, A.S.

Do you want to work side by side with a surgeon performing life changing procedures?

Surgeon

This program will prepare you for the roles of Surgical Technologist (who prepares, opens and establishes the sterile field passing instruments and anticipating the surgeon’s needs) and Surgical First Assistant (who assists the surgeon with performing the surgical procedure and independently closes wounds).

Would you like to work in a unique environment?
- It is a challenging fast paced environment that can change human lives. An emergency can occur anytime and no two human beings are alike so… it is never boring.
- Every day is spent exploring the human body, becoming familiar with surgical techniques, procedures and treatments.
- There is always something new every day. Technology and innovative changes are ongoing.
- A surgeon mentor provides the training and guidance to perfect your surgical techniques such as tissue manipulation and wound closure.
- As you mature, you can opt to specialize in a particular field such as General Surgery, Trauma, Open Heart, Orthopedics, Gynecology/Obstetrics, Robotic and/or Neuro Surgery.

Who is eligible for the surgical first assisting Option, A.S. program?

This program is flexible and offers options to fit your needs:

There are two program entry options:
- If you have no Experience, you enter the on-site 2 year program to become certified in both Surgical Technology and Surgical First Assisting. Classes begin with prerequisite Anatomy and Physiology I with lab (4 credits) in January or May every year.
- If you are already a CST, ST-C or Military Trained, you may enter the online program as a 2^nd Year sophomore (CST to CSFA Program). Classes begin January to March 20th or August to September 10^th each year. Open Entry/Open Exit Classes.
  - External college credit is awarded to those with current certification as a surgical technologist (CST or ST-C) or have documented military training as a surgical technologist (operating room technician) which can include up to 45 college credits.
  - We work with you to develop an individualized plan that meets your needs.
  - You can do everything in your home town except for the on-site Lab Week (M-F) to learn the techniques necessary to begin clinical rotations. Those with significant SFA experience may be approved for alternate documentation of skills mastery.
  - There is an onsite clinical option; come here to complete your cases if you cannot arrange a clinical site in your home town.
Program offers two exit points: You can choose the one that meets your needs. This means you can attain your additional AS degree requirements either before, with or after attainment of the College credit certificate.
- College credit certification option: 59 College Credit
- Associate’s degree track option: 74 College Credits

WHY CHOOSE GULF COAST STATE COLLEGE TO EARN YOUR degree?

Overall GCSC pass rate for the surgical technology certification exam (CST) was 100% for the SFA program. The national benchmark for the CST exam is 70%.
The program pass rate for the surgical first assistant certification examination (CSFA) was 87%. The national benchmark for the CSFA exam is 71%.
You'll get a great education with one of the lowest tuition rates in the state.
With small class sizes and professors who care, you'll get the personal attention you deserve.
More than 90% of our graduates would recommend Gulf Coast State College to others.

surgery

What do graduates do?

Prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, prepare and maintain sterile field, prevent the risk of infection, and assist with surgical operations.
Anticipate the next step, passing instrument, supplies or equipment thereby facilitating the surgical procedure.
Work alongside surgeons, making rounds, seeing patients in the office, and assisting in surgery.
Open your own business assisting surgeons in surgery.

Where do you work?

Hospitals or ambulatory care centers
Work for a surgeon or surgical group
Join a group of surgical assistants or open your own business working with several surgeons
Opportunities abound, are you interested in traveling? You can apply for traveling assignments throughout the United States including Alaska and Hawaii.

If you would like further Information, go to:

Association of Surgical Assistants
Association of Surgical Technologists
Association of Surgical Technologists: Job descriptions
- Surgical Technology
- Surgical Assisting
American College of Surgeons

What are the expectations for pay?

Average Salary $43,350 per year and $20.84 per hour as a surgical technologist working in the hospital.
Average Salary as a Surgical First Assistant ranges between $31,139 and $77,254; median pay for entry level is averages $42,000; median pay for 10 years of experience averages between $42,000 to $54,000 (PayScale.com; Sept. 2015).

What is the Job Outlook forecast by the Bureau of Labor Statistics?

The need for graduates is rated as “much faster than average with an increase of 15% expected by 2024”.

What is the program’s Placement Rate?

100% as an entry level surgical technologist/surgical first assistant in 2015.

What can I do with this Major?

You may go on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in organizational management at GCSC or in healthcare or business management with other institutions.
You may also move into other related branches of medicine such as a physician’s assistant, registered nurse or physician.

What do I earn with this program?

Upon completion of the certificate program, you will have achieved each of the following: Surgical Technology Specialist College Credit Certificate (Major Code: SURC-CCC) and Surgical First Assistant College Credit Certificate (Major Code: SFA- CCC).

Upon completion of those certificate programs along with additional general education and specialty courses, you can receive an Associate Degree in Surgical First Assisting (Major Code: SFA2- AS).

Program Requirements

Communications Area		CH
•+*ENC1101, English I		3
Humanities Area		3
See General Education Requirement for list of approved classes Note: Biomedical Ethics Recommended
Mathematics Area		3
+*Approved college-level mathematics (MAC/MGF/STA)
Natural Sciences Area
+*BSC2085, Anatomy and Physiology I		3
+*BSC2085L, Anatomy and Physiology I Lab		1
+*BSC2086, Anatomy and Physiology II		3
+*BSC2086L, Anatomy and Physiology II Lab		1
Social Sciences Area
Behavioral Sciences	•PSY2012 or •SYG2000 Psychology/Sociology	3
Other Courses
#*HSC1531, Medical Terminology		2
+#*STS2943C, SA Scrub Role Clinical (spring Year 2-For the CST New Graduate and for External Packet for the CST to CSFA Student)		1
Prerequisite Courses
+#*HSC1000, Orientation to Perioperative Services		3
+#*HSC1000L, Orientation to Perioperative Services Lab		1
#*HSC2520, Microbiology for Perioperative Services		3
Major Courses
#+*STS1310, Surgical Tech & Procedures		6
#+*STS1310L, Surgical Tech & Procedures Lab/Clinical		2
#+*STS1340C, Pharmacology & Anesthesia		3
+#*STS1944C, Introduction to Surgery Clinical		2
+#*STS2323, Surgical Procedures I		4
+#*STS2323L, Surgical Simulation I Lab		1
+#*STS2324, Surgical Procedures II		4
+#*STS2324L, Surgical Simulation Lab II		1
#+*STS2330C, Principles of Surgical Assisting		2
+#*STS2335, Advanced Integrated Surgical Sciences		2
+#*STS2336, Advanced Surgical Procedures for the Surgical Assistant		2
*STS2361, The Art of Teamwork in Surgery		1
#+*STS2365, Professional Skills for the OR Team		1
#+*STS2370C, Surgical Assisting Clinical		3
+#*STS2936, Surgical Certification Symposium		1
+#*STS2944C, Surgical Clinical I		3
+#*STS2945C, Surgical Clinical II		3
#+*STS2950, Surgical Assisting Portfolio		1
#+*STS2952, Surgical Transition Portfolio		1
+#*STS2953, Surgical Technologist Portfolio I		1
TOTAL DEGREE CREDITS		74