Clinical III Syllabus for 2026-2027
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Course Information

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Course

SRGT-2360-001 Clinical III

Prerequisites

Corequisites: SRGT 2461 and SRGT 1442 or Department Chair consent

Course Description

A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs 9 hrs clinical)

Class Type

Clinical

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

• Clinical Notebook *see supplies
• Required Resource:
  Amarillo College Surgical Technology Clinical Handbook
  (Provided online)
• Surgical Counts App for Case Counting and Tracking
• Recommended Text (Not Required):
  Goldman, Maxine A.
  Pocket Guide to the Operating Room, 3rd Edition or most recent edition.
  ISBN-10: 0-8036-1226-5

•  

Supplies

Clinical Notebook containing:

• One white 3” binder with clear pockets on front
• Set of eight dividers
• Pencil pouch
• Small pocket notebook
• Pens and Pencils

All Clinical Paperwork is located on Black Board under Clinical III.

CLINICAL REQUIREMENTS:

** All immunizations up to date and loaded into your COMPLIO PORTFOLIO

1. Current physical examination from personal physician. 
2. Current immunizations:
   1. Tetanus/Diphtheria
   2. Measles
   3. Mumps
   4. TB
   5. Hep B vaccine series
   6. Meningitis if under age 30
   7. Varicella titer  or statement verification
   8. All students must have FLU shot by Oct. 1. Documentation is required.
3. CPR certification – 8 hour for healthcare professionals
4. Liability insurance ( in tuition)
5. Name tag with photo
6. Eye protection
7. Royal blue scrubs
8. New comfortable shoes to wear only in OR
9. Surgical Technology patch sewn on right sleeve

 

Student Performance

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills and concepts.  Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. (3 sem hrs. 24 clinical). 

Students will complete a total of 120 cases as described below:

• General Surgery – 30 (20 cases in first scrub role)
• 90 cases in the various surgical specialties (60 cases in the first scrub role) Only 15 cases can be counted in any “one” surgical specialty. (Surgical specialty is defined as Cardiovascular, ENT, Ophthalmic, Genitourinary, Neuro, Ob/Gyn, Oral/Maxillofacial, Ortho, Peripheral Vascular, Plastics, and Procurement/Transplant.
• First and Second Scrub roles are defined on following pages.

 

Clinical Conduct Summary

Students must arrive at clinical prepared with all required supplies and comply with all Student Handbook and clinical agency policies, including HIPAA. Violations of these policies may result in course failure and/or dismissal from the program.

Personal cell phone use is prohibited in clinical areas except during designated breaks. Phones must remain on silent. Failure to follow the cell phone policy may result in a clinical warning or course failure. Amarillo College and clinical facilities are not responsible for lost or stolen personal items.

Students are expected to maintain a professional appearance at all times. Clinical uniforms represent Amarillo College and may not be worn in public when consuming alcohol or after the clinical rotation has ended. Students must change out of clinical attire before visiting non-clinical locations.

 

 

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:  SRGT 2461 is designed to provide the student the opportunity to function actively in the role as a surgical technologist and health care team member in a clinical setting under the direct supervision of faculty and health care staff. Application of basic principles and practices combined with a supervised clinical experience participating in common surgical procedures is the focus.

 

END-OF-COURSE OUTCOMES: As outlined in the learning plan, apply the theory, concepts, and skills involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry and will demonstrate legal and ethical behavior, safety practices, interpersonal and teamwork skills, and appropriate written and verbal communication skills using the terminology of the occupation and the business/industry.

: COURSE GOALS AND COMPETENCIES: This course will consist of hands on instruction, skill assessments, reading and writing assignments, observations, participation in surgical procedures.

 Goals:

 Demonstrates professional conduct and ethical practice.

 Performs as an active member of the surgical technology team in the clinical perioperative environment.

Demonstrates responsibility for professional growth and development.

Participates as an active surgical team member by scrubbing on assigned procedures.

Applies knowledge and skills gained from previous courses.

Interacts effectively as a responsible team member with faculty, staff members, fellow      students, physicians, and other health care personnel.

 

CASE REQUIREMENTS (AST Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology 7th Ed.)

 Students will complete a total of 120 cases.

• Students will complete 30 in General surgery (20 cases must be in the first scrub role)
• Students will complete 90 cases in the various surgical specialties, 60 cases will be in the first scrub role and evenly distributed between a minimum of 5 surgical specialties. 15 is the maximum number of cases that can be counted in any one surgical specialty.
• Students will maintain a “daily sheet” with the surgical procedure, scrub role, and routine for case, documented by assigned mentor and clinical instructor.
• 10 endoscopy cases and 5 vaginal delivery cases may be counted towards second Scrub Role cases.
• Observation cases must be documented, but do not count towards the 120 required cases.
• Counting cases are as follows: cases will be counted according to surgical specialty
  • Ex. Trauma patient requires a splenectomy and repair of a Lefort1 fracture.  Two cases can be counted and documented since the splenectomy is general surgery specialty and repair of Lefort I is Oral/Maxillary surgical specialty. 
  • Ex. Patient requires a breast biopsy followed by mastectomy.  It is one pathology, breast cancer, and the specialty is general surgery. It is counted and documented as one procedure - one case.

Required Clinical Case Numbers

General Surgery

• Total cases required: 30
• Minimum first scrub cases: 20
• Maximum second scrub cases applied toward total: 10

Surgical Specialties
(Includes CV, ENT, Eye, GU, Neuro, OB-Gyn, Oral/Maxillofacial, Orthopedics, PV, Plastics, and Organ Procurement/Transplant)

• Total cases required: 90
• Minimum first scrub cases: 60
• Maximum second scrub cases applied toward total: 30

Diagnostic Endoscopy

• 10 cases required
• All cases may be completed in the second scrub role

Labor & Delivery (L&D)

• 5 vaginal delivery cases required
• Cases may be completed in the second scrub role

 

Program Totals

• Total cases required: 120
• Minimum first scrub cases: 80
• Maximum second scrub cases applied toward total: 40

 

 

The student will know that these goals have been successfully completed when he/she earns a final course grade of “B” or higher as evaluated by the faculty in the department.

 

Competencies: Given the course textbooks, personal notes, handouts, evaluations, clinicals, and course materials, the student shall be able to perform each of the following with an evaluation with an accuracy of not less than 80% as evaluated by the course instructor.

 Clinical Professionalism and Performance Expectations

• Follows program and clinical facility dress codes.
• Arrives punctually and departs at designated times; notifies the clinical instructor upon arrival and departure.
• Communicates with program faculty regarding absences, tardiness, and attendance.
• Demonstrates initiative, enthusiasm, self-motivation, and professional behavior.
• Utilizes clinical time constructively.
• Responds appropriately to questions, suggestions, and constructive criticism.
• Demonstrates cooperation and mutual respect toward faculty, staff, fellow students, physicians, and other healthcare personnel.
• Communicates information at the appropriate time, place, and to the appropriate individual.
• Respects the authority and decisions of supervisory personnel.
• Maintains patient rights, privacy, and confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
• Demonstrates adequate preparation for clinical assignments and submits required work according to program and instructor policies.

 

Clinical Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrates the ability to pull case set-ups and obtain necessary equipment and supplies.
• Assists with obtaining and placing equipment and supplies in the OR for procedures.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of surgeon preference cards.
• Opens sterile supplies using proper aseptic technique.
• Demonstrates proper surgical scrubbing technique.
• Gowns and gloves self and others using correct methods.
• Immediately reports any break in sterile technique.
• Demonstrates the ability to set up the mayo stand and back table.
• Demonstrates knowledge of basic surgical instruments.
• Demonstrates knowledge of draping materials and proper draping sequence.
• Uses and passes instruments and suturing materials correctly.
• Displays knowledge of surgical procedures and operative sequencing.
• Observes universal precautions.
• Identifies specimens and provides proper care and handling.
• Identifies, receives, and prepares medications appropriately.
• Performs case and room breakdown.
• Properly cleans and cares for instruments after procedures.
• Assists with preparation for subsequent cases.

First Scrub Role

The student surgical technologist performing in the first scrub role must demonstrate proficiency in the following duties during a surgical procedure. The criteria listed below must all be met for a case to be documented as a first scrub case.

A student who does not meet all five criteria may not count the case as a first scrub role; the case must instead be documented as a second scrub or observational role.

Requirements:

• Surgical Case Study must be complete.
• Verifies supplies and equipment required for the surgical procedure.
• Sets up the sterile field with appropriate instruments, supplies, equipment, medications, and solutions.
• Performs counts with the circulator prior to the procedure and before closure of the incision.
• Passes instruments and supplies to sterile surgical team members throughout the procedure.
• Maintains sterile technique, recognizes breaks in technique, and demonstrates appropriate corrective actions.

 

Second Scrub Role

The second scrub role is defined as a student who is scrubbed in and actively participates in the surgical procedure but does not meet all criteria for the first scrub role. Participation may include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Sponging
• Suctioning
• Cutting sutures
• Holding retractors
• Manipulating the endoscopic camera

 

Observational Role

The observational role is defined as a student who is present in the operating room but does not perform duties that meet the criteria for either the first or second scrub role.

• Observational cases do not count toward required case totals.
• All observational cases must be documented.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

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Expected Student Behavior

HOSPITAL COMPLIANCE POLICY:  According to the “Affiliation Contract” between Amarillo College and the medical facility, “all students will be subject to the rules and regulations pertaining to regular employees of the medical facility.”  The medical facility reserves the right to reject or terminate a student’s clinical experience. If such action is taken the student will be automatically dismissed from the program and given a failing grade.  The student will not be eligible for readmission to the program at any future time.

Arrive on time

•  Arrive at your assigned facility 15-30 minutes early to ensure that you are dressed and ready to start working
• Wear your AC badge and scrubs to your clinical site every clinical day.  You will change into hospital provided scrubs in the locker room at the OR.

Come prepared

• Bring your clinical notebook and a pen or pencil. 
• You will not have your own locker so please do not bring anything valuable that you cannot carry with you in your pocket.

Arrive eager to learn with a positive attitude

• Give your full attention when being instructed.  Put your cell phone in your pocket.
• Be open to receive constructive criticism

Be respectful of all staff members, instructors, and fellow students

• Show respect to other’s belongings in the locker room
• Use appropriate language.
• Be professional. Every day at your clinical site is a job interview for you.
• Do not bad mouth or gossip about staff, instructors, or fellow students.

  Take responsibility for your actions

• Use your surgical conscience
• Treat patients the way you want to be treated
• Don’t lie, blame, or deny when informed about contamination

Daily Clinical Check Off “Case Log” Sheets

• You will fill out a clinical check off “case log” sheet for every clinical day even if you are in the instrument processing, anesthesia or observe or scrub. A DAILY sheet must be completed for EVERY DAY you are in clinical….
• Make sure you fill out every space and column correctly. 
• Have your preceptor sign and date your sheet at the end of the day.  Encourage them to write down any comments or suggestions on this form.  If your preceptor is scrubbed in you may have the OR Nurse sign off on your sheet.
• Please keep your signed sheets in your clinical notebook in order of newest to oldest. 
• You will also log these daily cases into Surgical Counts before you leave your clinical facility. Points will be docked from your clinical daily grade sheet if you are missing paperwork or cases are not logged on paper and online.

Daily Grade Sheet

Your instructor will fill out a daily grade sheet for clinical days.  You will be graded on the following areas.

• Adaptability
• Appearance
• Attitude
• Dependability
• Communication Skills
• Human Relations
• Initiative
• Personality
• Quality of Work

CLINICAL EXPECTATIONS: 

Students are required to go to the clinical site the afternoon before their clinical day and look at assignments. A typed case study is required for each assigned surgical case for the following day’s procedures and must be placed in the clinical notebook prior to the start of the clinical day. Handwritten case studies are not accepted and will result in a point deduction.

Each student will dress appropriately, with scrub jacket, name tag, and appropriate shoes to get assignment from hospital. NO sweatpants, athletic leggings, shorts, flip-flops, jeans with holes, or t-shirts with inappropriate language or pictures on them will be worn to hospitals.

Clinical hours are 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students must be dressed in appropriate OR attire and ready to begin work at 6:30 a.m. Students will be dismissed at 2:00 p.m. to attend debriefing at 2:30 p.m. at Sim Central. Debriefing is required.

In some instances, students may be required to arrive earlier than 6:30 a.m. The clinical instructor will notify students at least one (1) day in advance if an earlier arrival time is required. Occasionally students may need to change facilities to facilitate case needs.

A 30-minute lunch break is included in the clinical day. Depending on the surgical schedule, lunch periods may be shortened. The instructor will make every effort to ensure that each student receives a lunch break daily. When possible, students may relieve one another to facilitate lunch coverage.

Absences must be reported to the clinical instructor no later than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled clinical start time. Late arrivals will not be tolerated. For operating room efficiency, absences must be reported as early as possible. Students may not report another student’s absence; the absent or ill student must communicate directly with the instructor. Students who arrive late to the clinical unit will be sent home and recorded as absent, at the instructor’s discretion.

Any student who misses two (2) clinical days, for any reason, will receive a ten (10) point deduction from the final clinical course average. In cases of illness, a physician’s verification is required prior to returning to the clinical or classroom setting. All personal appointments must be scheduled outside of clinical hours.

Contact the surgery facility at the numbers provided below and the Instructor with a call or text. Instructor must confirm information received. 

These numbers are direct line to the operating room if needed:

 BSA 806-212-5721

 NWTH  806-354-1735

 Panhandle Surgery 806-351-3518

Quail Creek 806-354-6177

Proffer Surgical Main 806-354-4900

Amarillo Cataract & Eye Main 806-354-8891

(Be sure and get the name of the person you talk to if you are calling).

 

Failure to report an absence (NO CALL/NO SHOW) will result in immediate dismissal from the program.

Dress codes will be followed according to the hospital and class policy. Name tags are to be worn on scrub clothes at all times.  Protective eye wear is to be worn at all times in the operating room. Students may not bring or display inappropriate, offensive, or unprofessional images or language (including profanity) on clinical notebooks or any personal items brought to the classroom or clinical site (e.g., mugs, cups, bags, or accessories). Students are reminded that they are in a professional environment at all times and are effectively participating in a year-long professional interview.

Personal phone calls to and from the clinical site are not permitted unless an emergency occurs.  Please keep your cell on silent and in your pocket at all times, unless you are on break or at lunch, 

The student will be responsible for keeping all written and clinical assignments current. Incomplete clinical assignments will result in an unsatisfactory clinical grade. Case studies are due prior to clinical start time for each case.

Clinical notebooks are due on Tuesday.  All assignments and logs should be complete and current.  The student will earn an unsatisfactory clinical grade for failure to turn in their notebook or incomplete notebook information.

Students will receive a collaborative written evaluation from the instructors each month during the clinical rotation. A satisfactory passing score is required for each monthly evaluation to continue in the program.  Students must complete all critical and surgical procedures in order to successfully complete the program. Successful completion of exit competencies is also necessary.

Failure to comply with hospital policies, program policies, or Ethical Standards of Health Care Professions, regarding client rights will result in dismissal from the Surgical Technology Program.

 

Grading Criteria

This clinical component will consist of daily procedure check-off lists, daily case studies/procedure cards, daily clinical logs, weekly notebook compliance, daily demonstrations/return demonstrations, clinical evaluation procedures, and an evaluation.  The monthly evaluation will be competency-based evaluations demonstrating clinical proficiency.  There is no final comprehensive examination for this clinical course.

GRADING:

Attendance  10%

Each student will start with 100 points for attendance.  For each day missed, a 10-point deduction will be deducted from the total points.  For each Tardy, a 5-point deduction will be deducted from the total points.  If a student misses more than two absences, a 10-point deduction will be deducted from the student’s final grade.

Daily clinical grade sheets 40%

These are used to evaluate each student’s performance in the operating room, including clinical competence, professional behavior, and case study participation. Daily clinical grades will be averaged and will account for 40% of the student’s final course grade.

Clinical Evaluations 50%

The following grade scale applies throughout this course:

A= 91 –100

B= 80 - 90

F= less than 79.9

***NOTE:  A grade of “C” or “D” is NOT possible in this course.

COURSE DROP DATE: The last day to withdraw or drop this course is 

 

Attendance

Attendance (Clinical)

Regular and on-time attendance is required for successful completion of the course. 100% clinical attendance is required. Clinical absences are cumulative across all clinical courses, with a maximum of two (2) clinical days allowed per semester.

Leaving a clinical shift early for any reason counts as a clinical absence. Leaving the clinical site without permission will result in course failure. Students must provide appropriate documentation for absences due to illness, injury, or emergencies.

Students must notify the clinical instructor of an absence at least one (1) hour prior to the scheduled start time and follow all established notification protocols. Failure to notify the instructor before the scheduled clinical start time, or arriving late without notification, will result in the student being counted absent and receiving corrective action, including point deductions.

Corrective action write-ups for rule violations or poor performance are placed in the student’s file and remain on record throughout the program.

Students who arrive out of compliance with the dress code or without required clinical supplies will be sent home, counted absent, required to make up the missed day, and issued corrective action with point deductions. All clinical absences will be made up at the director's discretion.

 

Calendar

Additional Information

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 students 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.