Surgical Services, A.S.

Please note that program prerequisite courses have changed. Carefully review the following information to ensure your application to the program satisfies the posted requirements.

The following prerequisite requirements must be completed in order to apply to the A.S. Surgical Services program:

1. Possess overall college GPA of 2.50.
2. Complete the following prerequisite coursework with a grade of "C" or better:
   • BSC2085/L Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
   • BSC2086/L Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
   • ENC1101 College Composition
   • *Choose one of the following Math courses:
     • MAC1105 College Algebra
     • MGF1130 Mathematical Thinking
     • STA2023 Statistics
   • Choose one of the following Social/Behavioral Sciences courses:
     • AMH2020 US History Since 1877
     • POS2041 American National Government
   • Choose one of the following Humanities/Fine Arts courses:
     • ARH1000 Art Appreciation
     • HUM2020 Introduction to Humanities
     • LIT1000 Literature Appreciation
     • MUL1010 Music Appreciation
     • PHI2010 Introduction to Philosophy
     • THE1000 Theater Appreciation

*Successful completion of MGF1106 and/or MFG1107 prior to the 2025-2026 academic year may be used to satisfy the mathematics core in lieu of MGF1130.

All transcripts and coursework must be evaluated and accepted by Santa Fe College prior to the application date in order to qualify for application.

To help protect patients and students, upon acceptance to a Health Science Program, all students must undergo state and federal background checks and show proof of certain immunizations and negative drug screenings as required by clinical affiliates. Students will be provided instructions to complete these tasks at the appropriate time. For more information regarding the application process, please visit the "Before You Apply" webpage.

For more information on program specific expectations and to view the Allied Health Student Handbook, please visit the “Prospective and Current Students” webpage.

See Application Dates and Deadlines and closely review other requirements Before You Apply.

All tuition and fees are estimated costs and subject to change without notice.

Program Costs Breakdown

Tuition for 64 Credit Hours

• $6,833.28 Florida Residents
• $24,505.60 Non-Florida Residents

Lab Fees: $971.52

Additional Expenses

• $200.00 Uniforms/shoes
• $950.00 Required Textbooks
• $600.00 Laptop or notebook computer with webcam
• $900.00 Health Physical and Immunizations
• $80.00 Flu Vaccinations (2)
• $65.00 American Heart Association Basic Life Support Certification
• $51.90 On-line Expanded National Background Screening
• $68.00 Level 2 Background Screening Fingerprinting
• $135.00 Drug Screening Test
• $200.00 Miscellaneous Clinical Requirements: Parking

Program Cost Totals

• $11,054.70 Florida Residents
• $28,727.02 Non-Florida Residents

Scholarships

There are many scholarships available for Santa Fe College students to apply to. Please visit the Scholarships webpage for more information and how to apply.

Financial Aid

There are many options to finance your education. You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships. Please visit the Financial Aid page for more information and how to apply.

Selection criteria and points system is subject to change. It is the applicant's responsibility to check with the Health Sciences Advisement Office for up-to-date requirements and information.

Prior Degree and/or Certification (Maximum Points = 9)

• B.A./B.S. or higher (7 PTS)
• A.A./A.S. (2 PTS)
• Current Patient Care Certification (CNA, EMT, Medical Assistant, etc.) (2 PTS)

All-College GPA (Maximum Points = 20)

• 3.75 – 4.00 (20 PTS)
• 3.50 – 3.74 (15 PTS)
• 3.25 – 3.49 (10 PTS)
• 3.00 – 3.24 (5 PTS)
• 2.75 – 2.99 (3 PTS)
• 2.50 – 2.74 (1 PT)

Prerequisite Coursework GPA (Maximum Points = 20)

• 3.75 – 4.00 (20 PTS)
• 3.50 – 3.74 (15 PTS)
• 3.25 – 3.49 (10 PTS)
• 3.00 – 3.24 (5 PTS)
• 2.75 – 2.99 (3 PTS)
• 2.50 – 2.74 (1 PT)

Military Service (5 PTS)

Five points will be awarded to US Armed Forces active duty and honorably discharged veterans. Includes recent Reservist and National Guard combat deployments. DD-214 or proof of current service required. Minimum of 1 year active duty service required. Part-time Reservist or National Guard service must be documented separately and equal 365 active duty days (i.e., weekend service, annual 2-week assignment and deployment). Service dates may be combined with proper documentation. Veterans who receive a general discharge must be classified without misconduct.

Minimum Expectations Statement: To prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

Goal 1: Students will be competent in the cognitive domain.

Student learning outcomes:

• Apply principles of anatomy and physiology to surgical procedures.
• Successfully pass the AST certification exam.

Goal 2: Students will be competent in the psychomotor domain.

Student learning outcomes:

• Prepare surgical instruments for specified procedures.
• Implement safe practices when performing perioperative routines.

Goal 3: Students will be competent in the affective domain.

Student learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate appropriate and effective communication skills.
• Demonstrate professional traits such as adherence to dress code, dependable attendance and acceptance of feedback.

The Surgical Services program spans four semesters with courses meeting in a variety of formats to include: on-campus, online, and virtually. In addition, students will conduct clinical internships at local and regional hospitals.

The program is academically rigorous and requires students to be available Monday thru Friday 6 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Surgical Services program is a total of 64.0 credit hours, including prerequisite requirements. Program core courses: 44.0 credit hours. Prerequisite courses: 20.0 credit hours.

The Program courses must be taken as a cohort in the order indicated below.

This is the proposed curriculum that will be offered in Fall 2024.

Semester 1 Fall (12 credit hours)

• STS1007 Medical Terminology for Surgical Technology (2 credit hours)
• STS1177 Surgical Techniques and Procedures 1 (4 credit hours)
• STS1177L Surgical Techniques and Procedures 1 Lab (1 credit hour)
• STS1303 Introduction to Surgical Technology (4 credit hours)
• STS1303L Surgical Technology Clinic 1 (1 credit hour)

Semester 2 Spring (13 credit hours)

• STS1000 Health Care Concepts (Intro to Healthcare) (3 credit hours)
• STS1178 Surgical Techniques and Procedures 2 (4 credit hours)
• STS2131 Surgical Specialties 1 (4 credit hours)
• STS2940 Surgical Technology Externship 1 (2 credit hours)

Semester 3 Summer (7 credit hours)

• STS1051 Pathophysiology for the Surgical Technologist (1 credit hour)
• STS2132 Surgical Specialties 2 (3 credit hours)
• STS2941 Surgical Technology Externship 2 (3 credit hours)

Semester 4 Fall (12 credit hours)

• STS2365 Professional Skills for the OR Team (2 credit hours)
• STS1340 Pharmacology and Anesthesia (2 credit hours)
• STS2942 Surgical Technology Externship 3 (6 credit hours)
• STS2931 Special Topics/Seminar (2 credit hours)

The Surgical Services program is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective and psychomotor performance requirements. Based on these requirements, the following list of Program Performance Standards has been developed. Each standard has an example of activities which a student will be required to perform, with or without an accommodation, while enrolled in the Surgical Services program. The Program Performance Standards should be used as a guide to assist applicants in determining whether or not accommodations or modifications are necessary in order to meet program participation requirements. Applicants who identify potential difficulties with meeting the Program Performance Standards should communicate their concerns to the Academic Chair for Allied Health Programs. If the concern is related to a documented disability, applicants are responsible for contacting the Disabilities Resource Center. Determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodation will be made on an individual basis in consultation with the Disabilities Resource Center. Additionally, applicants should assess their aptitude and ability to perform professional duties by reviewing the Program Performance Standards below and discussing them with their healthcare provider.

Critical Thinking

Standard: Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment.
Example: Handle multiple priorities in stressful situations. Exercise independent judgment and discretion in the safe technical performance of medical procedures. Concentrate for prolonged periods of time.

Interpersonal

Standard: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.
Example: Display patience, empathy and concern for others. Deal with fear, anger and hostility in a calm manner. Work with others in stressful situations.

Communication

Standard: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.
Example: Communicate needs in a prompt, clear and concise manner. Able to communicate the identity of items such as drugs, tools, or implants. Accurately record/document pertinent information. Interact with patients and health care providers in a professional manner.

Mobility

Standard: Physical abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform skills required of a Surgical Services.
Example: Walk to and from departments. Maneuver nimbly in small spaces. Respond swiftly to patient's needs, manipulate equipment, lift a minimum of 30lbs, exert a sustained force of 20lbs, push/pull mobile equipment weighing up to 300lbs; participate as a team member of four in moving an incapacitated patient; ensure patient safety; stand for prolonged periods of time (sometimes wearing a 12-20lb lead apron underneath gown). Walk an equivalent of 5 miles per day. Must be able to reach 18" above head and pass instruments, reaching at least 30" across operating table. Gowns provided by clinical affiliates are limited to size 3X. This could limit the student's ability to complete mandatory proficiency requirements.

Tactile and Motor Skills

Standard: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform surgical services skills. Must have good manual dexterity. Must possess tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and handling of tissues.
Example: Ability to grasp, hold, grip, seize, turn or otherwise work with hands. Accurately and safely pass sharps and instruments. Examples include working with fingers to thread or load delicate suture needles; assemble air powered drills and mix bone cement. Perceive attributes of an object via touch. Palpate. Handle tissue/organs with gentle accuracy as instructed. Must have good eye-hand-foot coordination.

Hearing

Standard: Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
Example: Detect and evaluate the sounds of advanced surgical equipment such as gas, video and cardiac monitors, power driven tools, fire alarms, etc. Able to follow verbal instructions.

Visual

Standard: Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in surgical technology.
Example: Observe and monitor patients; assist in surgery in full and dimmed light. Possess vision near acuity of 20 inches or less with clarity. Distinguish depth, color and spatial attributes of objects or images.

Professional Appearance

As a representative of Santa Fe College and the Surgical Services program, students must abide by specific professional appearance guidelines required by our clinical affiliates. Clothing and footwear must comply with standards prescribed by the program. Facial hair should be kept neat and trimmed short.

Program Effectiveness captures the quality of a program using qualitative data such as program completion, national exam pass rates and job placement.

The below program effectiveness data is from the graduates of the Surgical Technology Certificate program.

Class of 2024

36 Students admitted
30 Students graduated; 83.3% completion rate
30 Graduates took credentialing exam
26 Graduates passed credentialing exam 1st attempt; 86.6% pass rate
N/A Graduates passed credentialing exam 2nd attempt; N/A% pass rate
26 Graduates employed in the field; 86.6% employment rate

Class of 2023

32 Students admitted
22 Students graduated; 68.7% completion rate
22 Graduates took credentialing exam
19 Graduates passed credentialing exam 1st attempt; 86.73% pass rate
1 Graduates passed credentialing exam 2nd attempt; 100% pass rate
20 Graduates employed in the field; 90.9% employment rate

Class of 2022

43 Students admitted
38 Students graduated; 88.3% completion rate
38 Graduates took credentialing exam
36 Graduates passed credentialing exam 1st attempt; 94.7% pass rate
N/A Graduates passed credentialing exam 2nd attempt; N/A% pass rate
38 Graduates employed in the field; 100% employment rate

Class of 2021

16 Students admitted
13 Students graduated; 81% completion rate
13 Graduates took credentialing exam
12 Graduates passed credentialing exam 1st attempt; 92% pass rate
N/A Graduates passed credentialing exam 2nd attempt; N/A% pass rate
12 Graduates employed in the field; 92% employment rate

Class of 2020

17 Students admitted
14 Students graduated; 82.4% completion rate
14 Graduates took credentialing exam
13 Graduates passed credentialing exam 1st attempt; 92.8% pass rate
1 Graduate passed credentialing exam 2nd attempt; 100% pass rate
14 Graduates employed in the field; 100% employment rate

Disclosure

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is not the bill that you will receive from Santa Fe College. It is an estimate of what it costs the typical student to attend Santa Fe College for one academic year including tuition, books, course materials, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

Tuition and fees in the cost of attendance below are calculated for credit hour programs, assuming enrollment in 12 credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters. Actual tuition and fees may vary by program. For a better understanding of your chosen program’s tuition and fees, see program costs above.

Undergraduate Lower Division Courses (A.A./A.S. Degree Courses)

	Off-Campus*	Off-Campus with Parent**
Tuition and Fees In-State: $106.77 per credit Out-Of-State: $382.90 per credit	In-State: $2,563 Out-Of-State: $9,190	In-State: $2,563 Out-Of-State: $9,190
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment	$783	$783
Living Expenses (Food & Housing)	$10,367	$3,654
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$2,394	$2,394
Transportation	$1,197	$3,942
Total	In-State: $17,304 Out-Of-State: $23,931	In-State: $13,336 Out-Of-State: $19,963

Undergraduate Upper Division Courses (Bachelor's Degree Courses)

	Off-Campus*	Off-Campus with Parent**
Tuition and Fees In-State: $126.33 per credit Out-Of-State: $428.83 per credit	In-State: $3,032 Out-Of-State: $10,292	In-State: $3,032 Out-Of-State: $10,292
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment	$783	$783
Living Expenses (Food & Housing)	$10,367	$3,654
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$2,394	$2,394
Transportation	$1,197	$3,942
Total	In-State: $17,773 Out-Of-State: $25,033	In-State: $13,805 Out-Of-State: $21,065

*Off-Campus: you intend to live off-campus but not with your parent(s).

**Off-Campus with Parent: you intend to live with your parent(s) or other relatives.

Note: All costs and rates are subject to change for the upcoming year.

For more detailed information, visit SF's Cost of Attendance page.