REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:

1. Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success  by Sherry Makely
    
2. Appleton & Lange Review for the Surgical Technology Examination,  By Allman & Vanderame

                ISBN # 0-07-138550-9

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Transition into the professional role of the surgical technologist. Includes professional readiness for employment, attaining certification, and maintaining certification status. A capstone experience may be included. (1 SEM hrs; 1 lec)

End-of-Course Outcomes:  Demonstrate job-seeking skills; and identify strengths and weaknesses in preparation for the certification examination.

PREREQUISITE:  SRGT 1405 – INTRODUCTION TO SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY, SRGT 1409-FUNDAMENTALS OF PERIOPERATIVE CONCEPTS & TECHNIQUES, AND SRGT 1441-SURGICAL PROCEDURES I

COURSE GOALS: Given the course textbooks, personal notes, handouts, and other course materials, the student will accomplish each of the following course goals as evaluated by the course instructor:

1. Discuss affective behavior as it relates to the role of the surgical team member.
2. Discuss how to obtain and maintain professional credentialing.
3. Discuss action to secure employment in the health care field and maintaining employment.
4. Explore personal employability qualities and develop an employment strategy.
5. Discuss development of a resume.
6. Discuss and compare types of employment applications. (on-line and paper)
7. Discuss interview process.
8. Apply knowledge learned and demonstrated throughout year to pass National Certification Examination for Surgical Technology

COURSE COMPETENCIES: Given the course textbooks, personal notes, handouts, and other course materials, the student shall be able to perform each of the following on a written examination with an accuracy of not less than 70% as evaluated by the course instructor.

1. Describe each behavior as it relates to the role of the surgical team member
2. Analyze activities that reflect positive examples of each behavior.
3. Integrate the behaviors into professional practice.
4. Identify the various functions of professional credentialing and relate their significance to the profession of surgical technology.
5. Compare and contrast certification, registration and licensure.
6. Assess the personal and professional importance of becoming certified.
7. Compare the various methods of professional development.
8. Formulate a plan for professional development.
9. Explore employment opportunities
10. Explore facilities that employ CST.
11. Assess current trends and employment opportunities for the surgical technologist.
12. Develop a plan of action to secure employment in the health care field.
13. Evaluate personal employability qualities
14. Develop an employment strategy that includes positive characteristics
15. Develop a professional resume.
16. Compare various types of employment in surgical technology.
17. Analyze various interview strategies.
18. Demonstrate interview process
19. Compare the different types of applications on-line and paper.
20. Review surgical technology course material to prepare for certification exam.
21. Discuss questions in certification review test bank.
22. Discuss testing techniques or study tips to better prepare for certification exam.
23. Apply knowledge reviewed to take practice exams.

STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Amarillo College students should be familiar with the contents of Amarillo College’s Rights and Responsibilities document.  Copies of the pamphlet are available free to students from the Business Office, Registrar’s Office and the Dean of Student Services.

STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE: A student who has a problem with the course or the course instructor should make every attempt to resolve the problem with the course instructor.  If that is not successful, the student may appeal the decision of the instructor to the program director, the chairman of Allied Health, the Associate Dean, and the President of the College – in that order.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements, and is the student’s responsibility to contact Disability Services (SSC 125, 371-5436) as soon as possible.

DISCLAIMER: 

The policies and procedures contained in this course syllabus are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances or by mutual agreement between the instructor and ALL of the students.  

Students are real people that experience real problems from time to time.  Depending upon the circumstances surrounding a specific problem, it may be appropriate for the instructor to approve an exception to a certain syllabus policy.  Any such exception will be made on an individual basis and at the sole discretion of the instructor and will not be considered cause for a precedent.

GRADING: 

1. Quizzes, discussion questions and research   =   35%
2. Resume portfolio=35%
3. Interview process= 20%
4. Attendance = 10%

The following grade scale applies throughout this course:

                     A= 89.5-100%

                     B= 79.5-89.4

                     C= 69.5-79.4

                     F= less than 69.4

NOTE: A GRADE OF “D” IS NOT POSSIBLE IN THIS COURSE.

MAKE-UP POLICY: There will be No makeup on any quizzes.  A zero (0) will be given for the missed quiz.   There are NO exceptions to the make-up policies.  Students have (5) days to make up a major exam.

Class Schedule:

Week One:  Discuss communication and behaviors in the operating room.  Discuss role of Surgical Technologist as a team member.      Role-play positive and negative behavior associated with operating room.

Week Two:  Discuss scope of practice, obtaining certification, and maintaining credentials.  Discuss importance of involvement in a one's own professional organization.

Week Three:  Discuss personal employment qualities, identify strengths and weaknesses in skills, develop a personal strategy to obtain employment.  Review of Netiquet, emails, letters writing.  Social media, "Do they really look?"

Week Four: Chapter one "Making a Commitment to Your Job." Attendance, Punctuality, Reliability, Accountability and Attitude.

Week Five: Chapter Two "Personal Traits of Health Care Professional."  Character, reputation, making decision. respect, honesty, ethics, and morals.

Week Six:  Chapter Three "Working with others" What is a professional relationships, interpersonal relationships, personalities, manners, communication skills and conflict resolution. Customer service role play.

Week Seven: Chapter Four: " Professioanlism, and your life." Appearance and Grooming.

Week Eight:  Chapter Five, What is the benefits you have learned in your practicum.  DIscussion of clinical and ensuring your success.

Week Nine:  Chapter Six, Career planning,  Resume's, T-Letters, Job aps on line....What are "they" looking for! 

Week Ten:  The interview.  Students will role-play interviews.  Class discussion.

Week Eleven: Guest Speakers from BSA, NW and SCOS

Week Twelve: DIscussion- What to expect when taking certification exam.  Begin Review for exam.

Week Thirteen: "Mok" certification exam.

Week Fourteen and Fifteen: Review for Exam

Week Sixteen:  final exam