Surgical Technologist Program

Program Admission

Review the Health Careers Admissions Process and follow the requirements below.

Admission Requirements

Each of the following requirements MUST be completed to be considered qualified and placed on the Surgical Technologist qualified list.

  • Maintain GPA (2.50 or higher)
  • Accuplacer Next Gen (255+) Reading Score
  • Eligible for placement into ENG 131
  • Eligible for placement into MATH 080
  • BIO 233 with a C grade or better
  • BIO 135 or BIO 251 with a C or better

To become qualified, you must complete all admission requirements and contact the Student Success Navigator or Health Careers Academic Adviser. Qualified students are formally admitted to the program once per year, in the fall semester, on a first-qualified first-admitted basis. Final approval to enroll in the program comes from the Surgical Technologist Program Director.

Required Support Courses

Students may choose to complete as many of the following support courses prior to entering the program. These courses are a part of the SRG Program.

Summary Job Profile

The following is a description of the functional abilities required of a student in the Surgical Technologist program at Henry Ford College. A student must be able to perform these tasks with or without “reasonable accommodation”, as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act. A student requiring accommodation in order to perform any of these tasks should contact Assisted Learning Services.

Job Summary

Surgical Technologists are Allied Health professionals who are an integral part of a team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings. The surgical technologist functions under the supervision of a surgeon to ensure the operating room environment is safe, equipment functions properly and the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. 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 of tools and technologies to facilitate a physicians’ performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Physical & Mental Effort

  1. Strength: Requires the ability to frequently lift and move objects more than 20 lbs. Occasionally may pull/push more than 100 lbs. in transferring patients.

  2. Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle surgical instruments and equipment with precision, accuracy and speed.

  3. Coordination: Requires the ability to continually perform tasks that require eye-hand coordination, such as loading suture on needle holders, passing instruments and using both hands simultaneously.

  4. Mobility/Endurance: Requires the ability to sit during classes for over one hour at a time. During clinical, requires the ability to stand for extended periods, in a small area for several hours at a time and often position themselves in uncomfortable positions at the operating room table.

  5. Hearing: Requires the ability to hear and distinguish normal sounds within an environment that has a variety of background sounds. Must be able to determine the spoken word when everyone is wearing a mask.

  6. Visual Discrimination: Requires the ability to quickly see and differentiate between large numbers of instruments, types and sizes of sutures and needles. Must be able to see changes as they occur in the operating room, so that you can quickly determine the needs of the surgeon and assistants. Must be able to differentiate colors to determine types of suture and other color-coordinated equipment. Must be able to function in brightly lit or dimly lighted rooms.

  7. Concentration: Requires the ability to constantly concentrate on moderate to fine detail with constant interruption and background noise.

  8. Attention Span: Constantly needs to be able to attend to task (surgical procedure) for extended periods of time.

  9. Conceptualization: Frequently needs to be able to understand and relate to the theories behind several related concepts.

  10. Memory: Requires ability to constantly remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others during the course of the day.

  11. Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Convey information through verbal and nonverbal communication and written word. Communicate in a one-on-one setting as well as in groups. Interact effectively and appropriately with instructors, healthcare providers, peers, patients, and family to provide effective and efficient patient care.

Environmental & Working Conditions

Frequent exposure to sharps, blood, radiation, patient tissue and fluids, wastes, infectious patients, electricity, lasers and equipment noise. Will occasionally be exposed to trauma, death and patients of various ages.