Real testimonials from our students/graduates of Sterile Processing & Surgical Tech
This is the link to our Graduate Surveys to be completed by Graduates of SVSTI
Surg Tech
https://form.jotform.com/221258884661161
SPD
Surgical Technology Program is CAAHEP Accredited as of September 17, 2021. As of February 16, 2023, we are ABHES Accredited both Institutionally and Programmatic (Surgical Technology).
We have a vast variety of affiliate agreements throughout Northern California, Central Valley & Oregon for both Surgical Technology and Sterile Processing students.
SVSTI - Where we care about your success!
STAY HUNGRY - STAY HUMBLE
After the war, the shortage of operating room nurses leads to the recruitment of ex-medic and ex-corpsman to work in civilian hospitals. They functioned as circulators while the scrub or the "instrument nurse" role was performed by the nurse, this was later reversed.
In 1968 AORN created the Association of Operating Room Technician (AORT) and the first certification exam was given in 1971, awarding the title Certified Operating Room Technician (CORT).
Shortly thereafter, AORT becomes independent of AORN and changes its name to Association of Surgical Technologist (AST) and changes its position title from ORT to Surgical Technologist (ST) and Certified Surgical Technologist or CST for those who were certified.
About Us | CA-SA (ca-saofast.wixsite.com)
The role of the surgical technologist began on the battlefields in World War I and World War II when the U.S. Army used "medics" to work under the direct supervision of the surgeon. Concurrently, medical "corpsman" were used in the United States Navy aboard combat ships. Nurses were not allowed aboard combat ships at the time. This led to a new profession within the military called operating room technicians (ORTs).
With many medical personnel overseas or performing duties in military hospitals, an accelerated nursing program with emphasis only on operating room technology was set up as an on-the-job training of nursing assistants who worked in the surgery department. These individuals studied sterilization of instruments and how to care for the patient in the operating room. Techniques, sutures, draping and instrumentation were emphasized; they also had to do clinical time in labor and delivery and the emergency room.
After the Korean War there were shortages of operating room nurses. Operating room supervisors began to recruit ex-medics and ex-corpsmen to work in civilian hospitals. These ex-military men functioned as circulators in the operating room while the scrub role or "instrument nurse" role was performed by the registered nurse. It was not until 1965 that these roles were reversed.
In 1967, the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) published a book titled Teaching the Operating Room Technician. In 1968, the AORN Board of Directors created the Association of Operating Room Technicians (AORT). The AORT formed two committees in 1969, the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist or LCC-ST (now known as the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or NBSTSA)[7] and the Joint Committee on Education. The first certification examination was given in 1970, and those who passed the certification examination were given a new title: Certified Operating Room Technician (CORT).
In 1973, AORT became independent of AORN and changed the title of the position to what it is today, surgical technologist. The AORT also changed their name to the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).[6] In 1974, an accreditation body was established to ensure quality education. The programs accredited by ARC/STSA (Accreditation Review Committee for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting; formerly ARC-ST) are monitored for compliance with the standards. The ARC/STSA and AST board of directors recommends the associate degree as entry level surgical technology education.
Today, surgical technologists taking and passing the national certification examination designed by the NBSTSA earn the title of "Certified Surgical Technologist". Certification can be renewed by contact hours or re-examination. Laws for surgical technologists vary by state and many states are in various stages of legislation. Some require certification, some require state registration, and some have no laws at all.
A surgical technologist is a healthcare professional whose primary responsibility is to maintain the sterile field, understand the procedure being performed, anticipate the needs of the surgeon, maintain a current knowledge base, maintain quality patient care during the operative procedure, and maintain constant vigilance regarding the adherence of aseptic technique by all members of the surgical team and their surroundings. Surg Techs handle the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary before, during, and after the surgical procedure. In addition to the technical aspects of the profession, the technologist must always be aware of the patient’s condition and needs.
Surgical Technology Program
Special Qualifications:
In addition to minimum requirements regarding Reading, Writing, and Math skills, the student must, unassisted:
1. Able to make appropriate judgment decisions.
2. Demonstrate ability to comprehend and interpret written material.
3. Demonstrate the use of positive coping skills during patient, staff, and faculty interactions.
4. Follow written and oral/verbal instructions in English. Possess short-term and long-term memory sufficient to perform tasks, e.g., mentally tracking surgical supplies and performing anticipation skills during the operation.
5. Synthesize information from written material and apply the knowledge to various situations.
Psychomotor Qualifications:
1. Hearing – normal, corrected, or aid able. Hear and understand muffled communication without visualization of the communicator’s mouth/lips and within 20 feet. Hear activation/warning signals on equipment.
2. Vision – normal, corrected. Demonstrate sufficient visual ability enough to load a fine (10-0) suture onto needles and needle holders with/without corrective lenses and while wearing safety glasses. Demonstrate sufficient peripheral vision to anticipate and function while
in the sterile surgical environment.
3. Touch – normal tactile sensitivity. Manipulate instruments, supplies, and equipment with speed, dexterity, and good eye-hand coordination.
4. Smell – able to detect odors sufficient to maintain environmental safety and patient needs.
Physical Qualifications:
1. Able to stand, bend, stoop, and/or sit for long periods of time in one location with minimum/no breaks.
2. Able to lift a minimum of 20 pounds.
3. Able to refrain from nourishment or restroom breaks for periods up to 6 hours.
4. Ambulate/move around without assistive devices.
5. Able to assist with and/or lift, move, position, and manipulate patient who is unconscious with/without assistive devices.
6. Successfully complete a CPR certification course.
Communication Qualifications:
1. The ability to interact and verbally communicate with others. Demonstrate positive interpersonal skills during patient, staff, and faculty interactions.
2. Demonstrate calm and effective responses, especially in emergency situations.
3. Knowledge of basic written, grammar, and spelling skills.
4. Ability to communicate and understand fluent English both verbally and in writing.
Sterile processing technician and surgical technologist may sound like one job to some, but they are not. However, they need to work together as one team for the same outcome, patient safety.
Both careers support the work of the surgical team in a medical setting and are also integral to making surgeries run smoothly. They do, however, require different educational paths and fulfill different roles.
Sterile Processing Tech Job Description
What does a sterile processing technician do? If you’ve never heard of this career, that might be because it goes by many different names in various workplaces, including:
· Sterilization Technician
· Central Service Technician
· Surgical Processing Technician
· Instrument Technician
· Medical Equipment Preparer
Those job titles should give you a better idea of what these technicians do. They’re responsible for ensuring that equipment is cleaned, sterilized, and prepared for surgeries (and other medical and lab procedures). Their tasks on the job might include cleaning items that have been brought in from previous procedures, preparing and setting up equipment for upcoming procedures, putting away cleaned equipment, and ensuring that all equipment is in good condition. They may also be in charge of checking inventory and restocking. The Surgery starts in the SPD with sterilizing instruments and preparing equipment. The following are some of their duties;
· Manually cleaning of medical instruments, equipment and surgical trays
· Performs sterilizations on the above said items
· Examines equipment and instruments as well as reports any problems
· Testing and monitoring of autoclaves
· Assembling all necessary equipment such as surgical trays
· Keeping inventory and ordering all needed sterile supplies
· Packing and storing of sterile supplies
Surgical Technologist Job Description
What do surgical technologist do? Surg Techs play an important role in operating rooms. Surgical Technologist also go by different names;
· Operating Room Technicians
· Surgical Technicians
· Surg Techs
· OR Techs
· Scrub Techs
· Surgical Techs
They help set up operating rooms before surgery and ensure that the necessary equipment is sterilized, maintain aseptic technique and prepare the OR for surgery. They help surgeons, doctors, and nurses with scrubbing in before surgery, ensure that patients are prepped, and assist surgeons by passing instruments or holding instruments during surgery. Some surgical techs might clean and prepare incision sites on patients, suture, put dressings on or may even learn to operate robotic surgical equipment. They too might be in charge of checking inventory and restocking. Some of the responsibilities include but not limited to;
· Setting operating room for surgical procedure
· Preparing and transporting patient to and from OR
· Gathering instruments and equipment needed for surgery
· Monitoring patient’s vital signs
· Assisting surgical team with gowns and gloves
· Keeping operating area as a sterile zone
· Disposing of used sponges, dressings, needles and gauze (keeping counts accurate)
· Takes charge of specimens and samples
Sterile processing technicians make sure that the instruments used in a hospital or clinic are safe to use and free of bacteria or other contaminants. They need to know about microbiology and how to prevent infections from spreading, as well as reliable procedures for storing medical instruments or moving them from place to place without exposing them to contamination.
Surgical technologists get an operating room set up for surgery, make sure the surgical field and the surgical instruments are sterile, help the members of the operating team scrub in before the surgery begins, and pass medical instruments to the surgeon along with many other valuable roles. SVSTI-Surgi-Tech School in Milpitas
Call today to join our Surgical Technology Program
Surgical Technology
Surgical technologists are allied health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings. The surgical technologist works under medical supervision to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures. This individual works under the supervision of a surgeon to ensure that the operating room or environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs Surgical Technology (2013) 2 A surgical technologist possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
SVSTI Surgical Technology Minimum Expectations -
To prepare competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
Surgical Technologist The surgical technologist in the first scrub role handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure. He/she has an understanding of the procedure being performed and anticipates the needs of the surgeon. He/she has the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure and is constantly on vigil for maintenance of the sterile field.
Preoperative Duties are as follows:
1. Donning OR attire and personal protective equipment (PPE).
2. Gathers, checks and opens supplies and equipment needed for the surgical procedure. 3. Performs the surgical scrub, and donning gown and gloves.
4. Sets up the sterile back table and Mayo stand with instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications/solutions needed for the procedure.
5. Performs initial instrument, sharps and sponge counts with the circulator.
6. Assists the team members with gowning and gloving.
7. Assists with draping the patient and establishing the sterile field.
8. Participates in the surgical site and patient verification during the time out procedure. 9. Secures tubing, cords and other sterile accessories.
Intraoperative Duties are as follows:
1. Prepares and anticipates additional instrumentation, equipment and supplies for usage during the procedure.
2. Anticipates the needs of the surgeon by passing instruments and supplies to surgeon during procedure.
3. Measures and passes medications, hemostatic agents and irrigation solutions utilized during the surgical procedure.
4. Holds retractors or instruments as directed by the surgeon.
5. Sponges or suctions the operative site.
6. Applies electrocautery to clamps or forceps on bleeders.
7. Cuts suture material as directed by the surgeon.
8. Coordinates the camera or changes out robotic arms/instruments during endoscopic surgery as directed by the surgeon.
9. Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during the procedure.
10. Performs additional counts as necessary.
11. Prepares sterile dressings and/or immobilization devices.
12. Prepares and passes off specimen(s) as appropriate.
13. Cleans and prepares instruments for terminal sterilization.
14. Assists other members of the team with terminal cleaning of room.
15. Assists in prepping the OR for the next patient.
16. Participates in debriefing and quality improvement practices to ensure quality patient care.
Additional Duties:
The surgical technologist in the second scrub role assists the surgeon and/or surgical assistant during the operative procedure by carrying out tasks including sponging, suctioning, cutting suture, holding retractors and manipulating the endoscopic camera. This role is distinct from that of the first scrub and surgical first assistant. The surgical technologist assisting in circulating obtains additional instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary while the surgical procedure is in progress. He/she monitors conditions in the operating room and constantly assesses the needs of the patient and surgical team.
1. Review the patient’s chart, identifies patient, verifies surgery to be performed with consent forms, and brings the patient to the assigned operating room.
2. Assists with transferring patient to the operating room table.
3. Monitors the comfort of the patient and provides verbal and tactile reassurance to the patient.
4. Assists in maintaining normothermia.
5. Assists the anesthesia provider.
6. Assists with positioning the patient, using appropriate equipment and anatomical principles to avoid patient injury.
7. Applies the electrosurgical grounding pad.
8. Assists with applying tourniquets and monitors before the procedure begins.
9. Completes the patient skin prep prior to draping by the sterile surgical team.
10. Performs instrument, sharps, and sponge counts with the surgical technologist in the first scrub role prior to the operation and before the incision is closed.
11. Anticipates additional supplies needed during the procedure.
12. Keeps accurate records throughout the procedure.
13. Properly cares for specimens.
14. Secures dressings after incision closure.
15. Helps transport the patient to the post anesthesia care unit.
16. Performs urinary catheterization.
17. Updates and keeps accurate records of the surgeon’s preferences.
Millions of people have surgery performed on them yearly. Surgeries can range from vital heart transplants to low-risk and common procedures. The success of these procedures relies on more than just surgeons. For a procedure to be a success it often requires a full team of trained medical staff members. A major position in nearly all surgical teams is the surgical technologist. What is a surgical technologist?
Surgical technologists work in hospitals and clinics around the world. While tasks may vary due to the needs of the operating staff, surgical technologists provide a variety of tasks to assist surgeons performing an operation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, surgical technologists work before, during and after a surgery.
What Surgical Technologists Do Prior to an operation, surgical technologists help prepare the operating room. Some common tasks include prepping surgical instruments and equipment, preparing sterile drapes, and sterile solutions. Technologists may also prepare patients for surgery by washing, shaving, and disinfecting incision sites. They transport patients to the operating room, help position them on the operating table, and cover them with sterile surgical drapes. Technologists also help the surgical team put on sterile gowns and gloves. Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm.
During a surgery, surgical technologists can pass instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons and surgeon assistants. They may hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments. Surgical technologists help prepare, care for, and dispose of specimens taken for laboratory analysis and help apply dressings. Some operate sterilizers, lights, or suction machines, and help operate diagnostic equipment. After an operation, surgical technologists may help transfer patients to the recovery room and clean and restock the operating room. Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm#tab-2.
You will be required to have a background check before placement. (depends on site) If you do not pass the background test you will not be placed at a clinical site and will be dropped from the Surgical Technology Program and/or Sterile Processing Program.
You will be required by a clinical site to have a drug test before placement. (depends on site) If you do not pass drug test you will not be placed at a clinical site and will be dropped from the Surgical Technology Program and/or the Sterile Processing Program.
Surg Tech
Surgical Technology:
California Annual Wages for 2018
Low
(25th percentile) $50,367
Median
(50th percentile) $61,182
High
(75th percentile) $74,200
https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/OccGuides/Summary.aspx?Soccode=292055&Geography=0601000000
Quick Facts: Surgical Technologists
$47,300 per year
$22.74 per hour
Postsecondary nondegree award
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
None
None
107,700
12% (Faster than average)
12,600
Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians, assist in surgical operations. They prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors during surgeries.
Most surgical technologists work in hospitals. They spend much of their time on their feet.
Surgical technologists typically need a post-secondary non-degree award or an associate’s degree. Certification can be beneficial in finding a job. A small number of states regulate surgical technologists.
The median annual wage for surgical technologists was $47,300 in May 2018. (National)
Employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 12 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Advances in medical technology have made surgery safer, and more operations are being done to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries.https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm
Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeon's assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:
Employment (1) 110,160
Employment 110,160
RSE (3) 1.1%
Mean hourly wage $23.58
Mean annual wage (2) $49,040
Wage RSE (3) 0.3%
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
Percentile Hourly Wage
10% $15.80
25% $18.70
50% (Median)$22.74
75% $27.90
90% $33.25
Annual Wage (2)
10% $32,870
25% $38,910
50% (Median) $47,300
75% $58,040
90% $69,170
Surgical Technologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
We deliver learning domains & goals to ensure students gain the knowledge to be successful competent entry level Surgical Technologist when they graduate from our Surgical Technology Program. Below are these learning domains & goals;
Cognitive Domain; Recall or recognition of knowledge, intellectual development
knowledge- recalling information
Comprehension- restating information
Application- use the information in a new way
Analysis- separates concepts into parts to understand
Synthesis- creating new patterns
Evaluation- making judgement regarding concepts
Psychomotor Domain; Manipulation of materials & equipment, motor skills, advancing levels of a performance of a technique or procedure by meeting specific objectives
perception- uses sensory cues to guide skill performance
Set- readiness to demonstrate a skill
Guided response- early skills practice using imitation
Mechanism- intermediate skills practice with confidence & proficiency
Complex overt response- skills demonstrating complex movement patterns
Adaptation- modification of skills to meet specific requirements
Origination- creating new skills patterns
Affective Domain; Feeling, attitudes & values
Receiving- paying attention
Responding- active participation
Valuing- acceptance & commitment to a concept
Organization- comparing, relating, and synthesizing values
Internalizing values- consistent & predictable demonstration of a value
