Surgical Technology at SWOSU
Surgical technologists are essential allied health professionals trained to be key members of the surgical team. They perform specialized tasks before, during, and after surgical procedures. Their responsibilities include preparing the operating room, establishing a sterile field, and setting up surgical equipment, supplies, and solutions. During surgery, they assist by passing instruments, fluids, and supplies to the surgeon, as well as managing surgical equipment and the sterile field. They also handle specimens and perform counts of sponges and supplies to prevent foreign objects being retained.Let's Get Started
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Overview
The Surgical Technology Program is offered in an online lecture format with a surgical technology lab component. Previously, laboratory instruction was conducted in a hospital-based operating room at Weatherford Regional Hospital. Future laboratory sessions will be held on the SWOSU campus. In addition, the program is actively working toward a future partnership with Great Plains Regional Medical Center (GPRMC) to secure additional laboratory space.
Clinical education is conducted at approved affiliate sites, including Great Plains Regional Medical Center in Elk City, Oklahoma; Comanche County Memorial Hospital in Lawton, Oklahoma; Weatherford Regional Hospital in Weatherford, Oklahoma; INTEGRIS Health Woodward Hospital in Woodward, Oklahoma; Integris Health Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jackson County Memorial Hospital in Altus, Oklahoma, McBride Orthopedic Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Newman Memorial Hospital in Shattuck, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Center for Orthopedic & Multi-Specialty Surgery, LLC (OCOM) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The Surgical Technology Program at Southwestern Oklahoma State University has a site visit scheduled for pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org). This step in the process is neither a status of accreditation nor a guarantee that accreditation will be granted.
The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) sets the eligibility rules for the CST examination. Graduates of a CAAHEP-accredited program, including students present during the initial site evaluation of a program seeking accreditation and who went on to successfully complete and graduate from that program, are eligible to sit for CST examination after accreditation is awarded.
Mission 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.
Special Online Requirements
Students must meet the requirements to complete the program with the Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology. Students complete the didactic portion via their computer with all exams being proctored using the Respondus lockdown browser.
Surgical technology students are required to travel to all fall labs to complete the lab portion. Lab days are Tuesday/Thursday or Monday/Wednesday. Students are required to travel to clinical affiliate sites during spring semester.