TRINITY VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
POLICIES
HONESTY/ETHICAL & LEGAL BEHAVIORS
The faculty at Trinity Valley Community College believes that ethical and legal considerations
should be observed at all times during the provision of patient care, as stated in the Program
Objectives. The faculty further believes that honest behavior in the classroom, laboratory and
clinical setting transfers to the graduate in the world of work. Any student who does not adhere
to these policies is in danger of dismissal from the Surgical Technology Program.
ATTENDANCE
Classroom Attendance
To learn the vast amounts of knowledge presented in the Surgical Technology Program requires
high levels of class attendance. Requirements for attendance in lecture will be that a drop may
be filed after a student misses 12 hours of class. Reinstatements will be handled on an individual
basis by the classroom instructor.
Clinical
Students are expected to attend all scheduled days of clinical experience. There are no excused
absences. In the event of illness, it is the student's responsibility to notify the instructor prior to
clinical. Counseling records and contracts will be completed according to the specifications
below. If a student misses another clinical after a contract is written, the instructor has the
prerogative of dropping the student from the course. If the student has not properly notified the
instructor when absent, has not resolved the problem causing the absences, does not have
extenuating circumstances, or if there is insufficient time for the student to satisfactorily meet
clinical criteria, then the student will be dropped. If the student is in good standing clinically,
has property notified the instructor when absent, and resolved the problem causing the absences,
the instructor has the option to allow the student to continue in the course. If the student is
allowed to continue in the course, clinical time will be made up on the students individual time.
SRGT 1260
After missing one clinical day, a counseling record will be completed. After missing two
clinical days, a contract will be completed. All absences are to be made up on Fridays or by
staying overtime in clinical Tuesdays and Thursdays.
SRGT 2461/2462
After missing 8 hours of clinical, a counseling record will be written. After missing 16 hours of
clinical, a contract will be written. Any absences should be made up during the Spring Break or
the last week of the final and/or up to the day of graduation; if approved by the instructor.
The student's right of appeal is through the Provost of the Health Science Center. If the student
is in good standing clinically, has properly notified the instructor when absent, and resolved the
problem causing the absences; the instructor has the option to allow the student to continue in
the course.
Extenuating problems such as surgery, severe illness, or family emergency may be requested as a
hardship case by making an appointment with the Dean of the Health Science Center. A
statement of the problem signed by the instructor must be brought by the student to this
conference. A written response will be sent back to the instructor.
TARDINESS
Arriving late to the classroom or clinical setting is strongly discouraged in the Surgical
Technology Program. This behavior is disruptive to the learning environment and is seldom
tolerated in the "work world". It is the student's responsibility to be in class and clinical on time.
Leaving prior to the end of class will be treated the same as tardiness. If a student is late to, or
leaves early from the classroom or clinical setting, the number of minutes or hours will be
counted as absence time. As an example, a student who has been 30 minutes late to clinical 3
times and leaves class 30 minutes early has accumulated one hour of absence time. Failure to
report to, or sign in at the skills lab or clinical facility, even if the student is present, will
constitute tardiness. The accumulation of absences will result in a student being dropped from
the course or receiving a failing grade in the course.
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION
Clinical experiences are provided in area hospitals. Students will be assigned to at least two
hospitals during the SGT course. It is imperative that students have their own reliable form of
transportation to the assigned hospitals.
DRESS CODE AND CLINICAL RULES
In an effort to maintain a professional image, students are required to abide by the following
dress and personal appearance code in the clinical area. All safety rules must be observed.
1. Identify and abide by rules and regulations of each hospital for specific circumstances.
2. All clothing worn to and from the clinical facilities are to be clean and neat. Shorts are not
acceptable in the clinical area or in the classroom setting.
3. Proper operating room scrub dresses or suits, shoe covers, caps and masks are to be worn at
all times inside the operating room areas.
4. CDC recommendations for handling of all body fluids must be adhered to for all surgical
procedures.
5. Safety devices and monitors must be worn at appropriate times. The items to be worn
include but are not limited to the following:
a. Eye glasses or goggles at all times while scrubbed on any surgical procedure.
b. Lead aprons and x-ray badges.
c. Special or double masks while lasers are in use.
6. When leaving the operating room area, scrub suits/dresses must be covered with a clean lab
coat. Shoe covers should be removed when leaving the area and replaced with clean covers
upon reentry to operating room area.
7. All hair must be kept clean and neat at all times and contained within the scrub caps. Special
hoods are available for male students with long hair, mustaches and/or beards and must be
worn while in the operating room area.
8. Moderation must be used in the application of make-up, perfume, hair spray, after-shave
lotions and nail polish. Any type of artificial nail, hair piece and/or eye lashes should be
applied with extreme caution. Chipped nail polish should be removed immediately.
9. All jewelry must be removed when scrubbing. If circulating, a watch with a sweep second
hand and wedding rings may be worn. Earrings and/or facial and body piercings are not to
be worn in the operating room area.
10. Smoking is allowed only in designated areas.
11. Refreshment and smoking breaks are allowed only when the work schedule permits and
relief coverage is available.
12. When the student scrubs in a case, he/she must stay with that case until its completion or
until relief coverage is provided.
13. If the student is absent, he/she will notify the clinical facility (the operating room supervisor
or hospital operator) at least one-half hour prior to the assigned arrival time. The student will
also notify the Health Science Center office (972/932-4309) between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on
the same day.
14. If the student is tardy, he/she will notify the clinical facility as quickly as possible and
include the estimated time of arrival. This rule also applies to clinical lab on the campus.
15. Violators will be counseled; however, excessive violation of above rules will be subject to
disciplinary action and may result in dismissal from the program.
TEST TAKING
1. Seating arrangements, leaving the room and stopping an examination for violations of the test
taking policy is at the option of the instructor(s).
2. An area will be designated for personal belongings (books, papers, etc.) before students enter
a testing situation.
3. A grade of zero ("0") will be recorded and averaged into the final semester grade if there is
evidence of verbal or nonverbal communications between students during an examination.
4. Information found on or in the vicinity of the student during a period of testing will be
grounds for termination of the testing procedure. A grade of zero ("0") will be recorded and
averaged into the final semester grade.
5. All students are to remain seated during a testing situation but should raise his/her hand if
there is a need to communicate with the instructor.
6. Violation of the testing policy will be grounds for dismissal from the program.
CLASS PARTICIPATION AND CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
Class participation is a vital part of the program in any health occupation course.
Class participation is classified as research, organizing and presenting class assignments. These
assignments include but are not limited to text reports, journal article reports, clinical
discussions, lab practice participation and pop quizzes.
Any surgical technology assignment complete later than its due date will result in a reduction of
its grade. Assignments may be turned in prior to their due date, however no additional grade
points will be granted. All assignments must be completed and submitted. Failure to do so will
result in a grade of "0" for each assignment not completed and submitted. The grade of "0" will
be recorded and averaged into the final semester grade. Late work will not be permitted.
Class preparedness and participation is an excellent means of increasing ones knowledge. Make
the most of the opportunity.
GRADE INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION
Complying with the Buckley Amendment:
1. No grades will be posted.
2. No grades will be given over the telephone to a student or any other person.
3. The above policy also applied to the clinical grade of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
4. A letter from the instructor will be sent to any student failing a surgical technology course on
the last day of the semester. A copy of the notification will be placed in the student's file.
5. Any student who wishes to have a grade prior to receiving the official grade report should
submit a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the instructor prior to the examination.
TRANSFER INTO PROGRAM
1. Student’s who have completed all admission requirements and courses equivalent to SRGT
1405, 1409, and 1260 at another college, may transfer into the spring semester of the Surgical
Technology Program upon approval of the Surgical Technology Program Coordinator and
the Provost of Health Occupations. A letter of recommendation from the student’s last
clinical instructor will be required to make this determination.
2. The students must complete SRGT 1405, SRGT 1409, SRGT 1260, SRGT 1341, SRGT
1342, SRGT 2461, and SRGT 2462 in sequence.
RE-ADMISSION INTO PROGRAM
1. A student may request one re-admission to the Surgical Technology Program at Trinity
Valley Community College.
2. Students who are not successful in the Surgical Technology Program will be given
stipulations for readmission. The lecture and clinical surgical technology courses must be
passed concurrently with a grade of “C” or better in order to progress to the next semester or
to graduate.
3. Consideration of a second re-admission due to extenuating circumstances will be evaluated
by written petition to the re-admission committee.
4. Students will be re-admitted contingent on space available.
DISMISSAL
Cheating on required assignments will constitute grounds for immediate dismissal from the
Surgical Technology Program.
The student will not possess, dispense, sell or be under the influence of any potentially abusive
substance unless that substance is directly related to role responsibilities or personal health
maintenance. A notarized copy of a physician's prescription, for the student, will be required if a
questionable situation arises. The student will be restricted in the clinical area, if while using
prescription medicine, he or she is unable to respond in a reasonable and acceptable manner.
Failure to comply with the above will lead to dismissal.
The student is required to be accountable for and adhere to the "Policy of Rights, Conduct and
Responsibilities" as listed in the general catalog, program syllabus and handbook. Violations of
these standards of conduct will result in the disciplinary action listed in the statements and
program policies which are:
1. A verbal warning will be given to the student the first time the offense occurs.
2. A written warning will be given to the student the second time the offense occurs.
3. A meeting with the Provost of the Health Science Center will be required the third time the
offense occurs which could result in dismissal from the Surgical Technology Program.
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE
Professional Liability Insurance will be included in your lab fees. Professional Liability
Insurance covers malpractice acts not the breakage of instruments or equipment used in clinical
settings. This does not cover student injury or needle sticks.
PHYSICAL HEALTH EXAM
The surgical technology student will have a physical health exam obtained from a physician.
The health exam and inoculation form will be provided by the Health Science Center secretary
and upon completion, return to her. The SGT student will not be allowed into the clinical
facilities until the health exam record is returned to the Health Science Center administration
office.
CPR CERTIFICATION - HEALTH CARE PROVIDER COURSE
All students entering the Surgical Technology Program must be currently certified in
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Students will not be allowed to attend clinical assignments until
they present a CPR certification to the Surgical Technology Director.
SYLLABI AND HANDBOOK
The Surgical Technology Program Handbook and Syllabi for each surgical technology course are
available on-line. Syllabus may be changed during the course of the semester. Please check with
your instructor periodically.
j:syllabus\surgtech\handbook\Policies Revised 05/2011