ST280 Clinical Practicum II (5 cr.)

Prerequisite(s): A grade of C (2.0) or better in ST270 
In this course, the student continues to assume a role with greater responsibility on the surgical team at a different clinical facility than the first rotation. Specialty procedures are scheduled as part of the student’s learning opportunities. Students may have the opportunity to obtain experience in areas outside of the main operating room, such as labor and delivery, the instrument room, special procedures area, the outpatient setting, and other procedure areas. During this course, the student follows a patient through the entire perioperative experience from preoperative preparation, through the OR and postop recovery. The student demonstrates clinical proficiency to an employment-acceptable level in general and commonly performed specialty procedures. Bi-weekly clinical conference days continue for debriefing of the clinical experience, professional development, and a simulated interview situation.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Identify the appropriate roles and responsibilities of the surgical technician.
2. Explain the ethical, legal, and moral aspects of surgical technology as they relate to patients, co-workers, employers, communities, and self.
3. Use appropriate medical terminology accurately and with ease.
4. Relate principles of human anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology to a wide variety of surgical conditions and procedures.
5. Identify the surgical instrumentation and supply needs for a wide variety of surgical conditions and procedures.
6. Participate in and log completion of at least 80 surgical procedures.
7. Apply principles of microbiology in maintaining asepsis.
8. Protect patients, staff, and self from iatrogenic complications by the consistent use of standard precautions and other safety measures as appropriate.
9. Recognize the action and indication of drugs used in the surgical environment. Prepare and calculate drugs and solutions as necessary.
10. Demonstrate knowledge of a wide variety of anesthetic drugs and techniques.
11. Identify critical components necessary to prepare the patient for surgery, including patient identification, consent for surgery, preoperative laboratory requirements and results, physical assessment and vital signs, patient transport, patient positioning, skin preparation requirements, urinary catheterization, emergency preparations, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
12. Document the care of the patient as defined by legal and institutional policy.
13. Demonstrate methods of sterilization and disinfection, including room preparation and terminal cleaning of equipment and supplies.
14. Demonstrate personal and professional integrity and the ability to interact as a professional with the entire health care/surgical team.
15. Complete the required clinical experience documentation, including types and numbers of cases scrubbed, role of first scrub or assist, daily performance evaluation, and daily care plan.
16. Prepare a personal resume.
17. Practice interviewing for a job.
18. Prepare for orientation to a hospital.
19. Prepare for the Association of Surgical Technologist (AST) certification exam.
20. Complete the Program Assessment Exam (PAE) exam.