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SURGICAL TECHNOLOGYPROGRAMRHSchoolofHealthSciences.org
OUR MISSIONReading HospitalMISSION STATEMENTThe mission of Reading Hospital is to provide compassionate,accessible, high quality, cost effective healthcare to the community;to promote health; to educate healthcare professionals; and toparticipate in appropriate clinical research.Reading Hospital School of Health SciencesMISSION STATEMENTThe mission of Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences isto provide educational programs that develop competent andcompassionate professionals capable of providing high-qualityhealthcare services to individuals, families and communities.Surgical Technology ProgramMISSION STATEMENTThe Mission of the Surgical Technology Program is to prepareentry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive, psychomotor andaffective domains. Graduates will meet the diverse needs of thecommunities they serve with competence and compassion throughthe application of ethical standards, inter-professional collaborationand active professional engagement.2Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences
Thank you for inquiring aboutthe Surgical TechnologyProgram offered by ReadingHospital School of HealthSciences. This booklet isdesigned to provideinformation about thiseducational opportunity.TABLE OF CONTENTSGreetings From The School Director. 1Moving Medicine Forward.2Welcome and Accreditation.3Student Learning Outcomes.5Essential Functions and Technical Standards.6Curriculum.10Curriculum Plan.12Course Descriptions.14Important Information.17Admissions Policy.19Cost and Expenses.24Student Services. 25Facilities and Resources.27Consumer Information Disclosure.28Campus Map. 30-31484-628-0100 RHSchoolofHealthSciences.org1
POWERFUL COMMITMENTSEXCEPTIONAL PROGRAMSOPPORTUNITIES FOR A LIFETIMEReading Hospital School of Health Sciences
GREETINGS FROMTHE SCHOOL DIRECTORWelcome to Reading Hospital Schoolof Health Sciences, home to excellenteducational programs designed todevelop competent and compassionatehealthcare professionals. On behalf of thefaculty, staff, and students in the school, Iwould like to thank you for your interest inour educational programs.As hospital-based programs, we arecommitted to preparing individuals likeyou to become skilled professionals ina career such as Diagnostic MedicalSonography, Emergency MedicalServices (EMT through Paramedic),Medical Laboratory Science, MedicalImaging, Nursing, Phlebotomy, or SurgicalTechnology. Our experienced classroom and clinical faculty is known fortheir dedication to helping individuals achieve success, and are committedto providing classroom, laboratory, simulation, and clinical experiences thatsupport excellence in teaching and learning.RHSHS provides:High quality, affordable education A starting path to a bachelor’s degree Your pathway to an exciting career in healthcare.This is your chance to make a difference and become a respected memberof a healthcare profession. Our faculty, staff, and administrators are happyto meet students, families, alumni, or other visitors, and I hope to see youon campus soon.Sincerely,Dr. Debbie J. Rahn484-628-0100 RHSchoolofHealthSciences.org1
MOVING MEDICINEFORWARDStructured Clinical ExperiencesThrough structured clinical experiences, surgical technology students serve as firstand second scrub through a variety of surgical procedures in all surgical specialtiesincluding Robotic Surgery at the Reading HealthPlex for Surgical & Patient Care. The476,000-square-foot Reading HealthPlex contains one of the most technologicallyadvanced surgical centers in the region.Students will complete 930 hours of clinical experience at the Reading HospitalHealthPlex. They will have the opportunity to participate in many surgicalexperiences in specialties such as General, Gynecology, Genitourinary, Plastic,Maxillofacial, Ophthalmic, ENT, Podiatry, Neuro, Open Heart, Vascular, Thoracic,Orthopedics, Endoscopy, Obstetrics, and Robotic Surgery across the spectrum ofmany specialties.Surgical Technologists are a critical member ofthe operative team. They assist in the conductof the operation and facilitate the delivery ofsurgical care. As critical members of the surgicalteam, they have a very beneficial impact on thehealth of the community. Each time I work withsurgical techs, a patient’s outcome is improved.– Uday Dasika, MD2Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences
WELCOME ANDACCREDITATIONAbout the ProfessionSurgical technology is an exciting and interesting healthcare career that is vitalto the surgical team. A Surgical Technologist is a healthcare professional who isskilled in the theory and technical practice of surgery.The Role of A Surgical TechnologistA Surgical Technologist is a critical member of the operative team. As a member,they assist in the conduct of the operation and facilitate the delivery of surgicalcare. They are experts in the field of surgical technology instrumentation. SurgicalTechnologists are responsible for thinking ahead to maximize efficiency andminimize unnecessary time for the patient under anesthesia. Independently andcollectively, all members of the surgical team, including Surgical Technologists aretrained to provide the best care possible before, during, and after surgery.A Surgical Technologist may be employed in a variety of settings including ahospital operating room, an ambulatory surgery center, a physician’s office, or insome dental offices where outpatient surgery is performed. Surgical technologistsmay also find employment managing a central sterile processing department,working for an insurance company, or working for a surgical equipment firm as asales representative for surgical supplies and equipment.Employment of Surgical Technologists is projected to grow 7% between 2019and 2029 ologists.htm#tab-5).Advances in medical technology have made surgery safer, and more operationsare being done to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. In addition, the increasednumber of aging people in the population is expected to increase the need forsurgical technologists ologists.htm) (Reference: United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor StatisticsJob Outlook).484-628-0100 RHSchoolofHealthSciences.org3
About Our Surgical Technology ProgramReading Hospital School of Health Sciences offers a Surgical TechnologyProgram, admitting new classes in August of each year.For more than 49 years, Reading Hospital has educated women and menwho have gone on to practice surgical technology both in our community andaround the nation. The Surgical Technology Program is based within the Schoolof Health Sciences located on the hospital’s main campus in West Reading, PA.Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences is affiliated with local colleges anduniversities which provide students with the curriculum’s general educationalcourses.AccreditationReading Hospital School of Health Sciences Surgical Technology Program isnationally accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied HealthEducation Programs (CAAHEP) (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation ofAccreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and SurgicalAssisting (ARC/STSA). CAAHEP can be contacted directly at: 9355 - 113th ST. N,#7709, Seminole, FL 33775, phone: 727-210-2350, fax: 727-210-2354.Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences reserves the right to makenecessary changes to the program, curriculum, costs, policies, proceduresand calendar. Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences operates withoutdistinction to age, race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation,national origin or economic means.For more information, contact the School Admissions Department at484-628-0100.4Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences
STUDENT LEARNINGOUTCOMESIn support of this Mission, the Surgical Technology Program has establishedprogram outcomes that define the knowledge, skills and behaviors that will bereflected by a graduate of the program.A graduate of Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences Surgical TechnologyProgram will:1. Synthesize knowledge and skills essential to the successful practice ofsurgical technology.2. Utilize the problem solving process effectively.3. Practice competently as an entry-level surgical technologist.4. Communicate effectively with all communities of interest.5. Practice surgical technology ethically and compassionately.6. Model ongoing professional growth and development.484-628-0100 RHSchoolofHealthSciences.org5
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS ANDTECHNICAL l Standard1. Ability to apply critical, logical thinking to perform tasks such as, butnot limited to: tracking supplies (counting instruments and sponges) andanticipation skills for intraoperative safe patient care.2. Ability to adapt and function under stressful conditions so as not toimpair safety.3. Ability to develop a surgical conscience and follow strict asepticprocedures without exception.1. Ability to exhibit positive interpersonal skills with patient, staff andfaculty interactions.InterpersonalSkills2. Able to perform learned skills with minimal supervision.3. Able to interact appropriately and function as part of the surgical team.4. Able to accept differences in others (ex. cultural, religious) withoutjudgment.1. Ability to effectively interact with others in written and spoken English.Communication2. Quickly and accurately understand and follow verbal instruction in English.3. Ability to read and understand the patient chart, computer screen,digital print outs, labels and gauges.1. Ability to remain on task for several hours while standing, moving,lifting and/or bending with minimal or no breaks.2. Strength to turn, position and transfer patients.3. Upper body strength great enough to lift 20 pounds while standingerect with arms extended away from the body for at least 30 seconds.PhysicalAbility4. Strong and agile enough to push litters, beds and large pieces ofequipment.5. Ability to stand for long periods of time, four to six hours or longer,without a break.6. Ability to control bladder for extended periods of time, four to sixhours or longer.7. Ability to breathe effectively with a surgical or respirator mask on forextended periods of time, four to six hours or longer.8. Ability to tolerate smoke produced from electrical and laser surgery.6Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences
1. Able to handle surgical instruments and equipment rapidly with bothright and left hands.2. Has full range of motion, manual and finger dexterity, can supinate(hands palm side up) and pronate (hands palm side down).Mobility3. Gross and fine motor skills to assemble and pass instruments andequipment safely during surgical procedures.4. Hand-eye coordination.5. Able to position oneself in the clinical setting to provide patient carewithout obstructing other team members or equipment being used forpatient safety.1. Ability to hear and detect alarms or emergency signals.2. Acute hearing to hear and understand words muffled by a mask.HearingAcuity3. Acute enough to perceive vocalized words in an environment withhigh levels of background noise.4. Auditory processing sufficient to respond to and follow verbalinstruction without receiving visual cues.1. Acute enough to read small print on medication labels, instruments,implants and guides.Visual Ability2. Acute enough to handle extremely fine thread surgeons sew with(suture).3. Able to visually adapt to varying levels of light and a surgicalmicroscope.Tactile Ability1. Able to use sense of touch for physical examination and assessment ofpatient.OlfactoryAbility1. Able to tolerate and distinguish smells essential to assess and/ormaintain the patient’s health status or safety.1. Able to present a professional appearance.ProfessionalAttitude2. Maintain calm composure during emergency situations.3. Demonstrate flexibility and tolerance of the ideas of others.4. Show empathy and concern for others.ReferencesFrey, K. B. (2018). Surgical Technology for the Surgical Technologist A Positive Care Approach (Fifthed.). Cengage Learning. Responsibilities of a CST, Personal characteristics, Working Conditions,Employment. (2003). Retrieved from http://www.ast.org.Southern Regional Education Board. (n.d.). The Americans with Disabilities Act, Implications ForNursing Education. Retrieved from ities-act.484-628-0100 RHSchoolofHealthSciences.org7
Health and Regulatory RequirementsTo assure the health and safety of our patients and surgical technology students,Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences Surgical Technology Programrequires all students to meet health and regulatory requirements. If you chooseto enroll in the program, you must adhere to specific guidelines on clinicalclearance, CPR and record checks.In addition, you must maintain health insurance throughout your course of study.Clinical ClearanceAll students are responsible for achieving clinical clearance. Any lapse in clinicalclearance may result in the student being dropped from a course and/or theprogram.Specific guidelines include:n Physical exam on admissionn Negative urine drug screeningn Immunization on admissionnIGRA Blood Testn Health insurance on admission and currentn Criminal Background Check and FBI Fingerprint on admissionn Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance on admissionnnnn ational Healthcare Fraud and Abuse History Check prior to admission andNmonthly during enrollment PR: Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider (two-year certification) priorCto clinical and current during clinical Mandatory new student orientation sessions ccupational Safety and Health Admission (OSHA) compliance on admissionOand currentCPR CertificationSurgical technology students are required to be certified in CPR (cardio-pulmonaryresuscitation) as a Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider by the American HeartAssociation. This certification must be maintained throughout the program or thestudent may be dropped from a course and/or the program. Reading HospitalSchool of Health Sciences provides CPR sessions in the months prior to clinical.Surgical technology students must submit a copy of the CPR certification cardwith expiration date prior to beginning clinical courses.8Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences
Criminal Background CheckThe Surgical Technology Program requires all students to have a CriminalBackground Check, FBI Fingerprint and a Pennsylvania Child Abuse HistoryClearance on file at the school prior to beginning classes.To ensure compliance with federal and state healthcare regulations, studentsmust be screened through a National Healthcare Fraud and Abuse History Checkprocess prior to admission and monthly during enrollment.Health Record ChecksEach surgical technology student must meet the requirements for physicalexaminations and immunizations as outlined under Clinical Clearance. Therecord of these examinations and immunizations must have been completedand signed by a physician or nurse practitioner within one year of the date ofentrance into the program.484-628-0100 RHSchoolofHealthSciences.org9
CURRICULUMOverviewThe Surgical Technology Program offers a 20-month Dual Enrollment Programin collaboration with Alvernia University. With Dual Enrollment Admission,students will be simultaneously enrolled in the hospital-based SurgicalTechnology Program offered at Reading Hospital School of Health Sciencesand Alvernia University’s Associate of Science degree. Dual Enrollment isstructured to provide a seamless career mobility pathway while providingour graduates with the knowledge, skills and credentials to sit for nationalcertification examination. Qualified graduates will be eligible to receive thefollowing credentials:n Diploma in Surgical Technologyn Associate of Science Degree from Alvernia UniversityThe 20-month Dual Enrollment Program is designed to provide theoreticalknowledge and hands-on application through rigorous clinical experiences.Classes and clinical experiences are held Monday through Friday between7 a.m. and 5 p.m. The liberal arts courses are taught by Alvernia Universityfaculty. These courses provide students with a well-rounded backgroundas well as meet the requirements for the Associate of Science degree fromAlvernia University.This Surgical Technology Program is one of only a few programs nationwide inwhich you will earn a certificate in robotic surgery. Our faculty-to-student ratiois 1:5 in the skills laboratory and there are a significant number of hands-onclinical hours which enable you to experience a large number and type ofsurgical procedures.Complete Credit Breakdown44 Surgical Technology credits30 Liberal Arts Core creditsTotal: 74 creditsAdvanced PlacementDue to the absence of standardized curriculum sequencing in surgical technologyprograms, advance placement in clinical courses is not offered to any student.10Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences
PromotionIn order to progress through the curriculum, a student must complete theSurgical Technology and University courses having achieved:n A 75 percent or higher for the university coursesn An 80 percent or higher for surgical technology coursesn A satisfactory (S) on clinical performance evaluationsn Completion of all standardized tests for each courseThe faculty reserves the right to request the withdrawal of any student at anytime whose health, scholarship, clinical performance or conduct does not meetthe required standard.GraduationTo graduate from the program, students must meet the following requirements:n Successful completion of all required coursesn All financial obligationsn eturn resident keys, ID badge, parking card and any program, school orRhospital property issued for the course.CertificationThe student will sit for the national certification examination in surgicaltechnology at the end of the final semester. Upon successful completion of thecertification examination and graduation, the graduate officially receives thetitle Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).484-628-0100 RHSchoolofHealthSciences.org11
CURRICULUM PLANIn order to maintain enrollment in the program, students must pass each generaleducation course with a 75 percent or higher and maintain an overall average of80 percent or higher for each surgical technology course.YEAR ONESEMESTER I; FALL (AUGUST/DECEMBER)16 weeksCOURSECREDITTHEORYLABBIO 107/11744530COM 101345PSY 101345THE 210345Subtotal13180CLINICALEXPERIENCE30SEMESTER II; SPRING (JANUARY/APRIL)16 weeksCOURSECREDITTHEORYLABBIO 108/11844530BIO 22044545LAE 2 CreativeExpressions Elective345PHI 105345Subtotal14180CLINICALEXPERIENCE75SEMESTER III; SUMMER (MAY/AUGUST)12 weeksCREDITTHEORYLABCLINICALEXPERIENCEST 1009902884ST 10144528LAE 1 CommunicationElective345Subtotal1618056Year One Total43540161COURSE12Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences84
YEAR TWOSEMESTER IV; FALL (AUGUST/DECEMBER)16 weeksCREDITTHEORYLABCLINICALEXPERIENCEST CECOURSESEMESTER V; SPRING
Surgical technology is an exciting and interesting healthcare career that is vital to the surgical team. A Surgical Technologist is a healthcare professional who is skilled in the theory and technical practice of surgery. The Role of A Surgical Technologist A Surgical Technologist is a critical member of the operative team. As a member,
