The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, in conjunction with Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center's Program for Surgical Technology, offers a unique Certificate Program with an Associate Degree.
Our 75-credit Associate Degree program is designed to give students the opportunity to develop both written and verbal communication skills, utilize critical and creative thinking skills, acquire organizational, leadership and administrative skills, as well as solve ethical dilemmas in real-world situations.
A Liberal Arts component has been built into the program to allow for the development of a well-rounded graduate. Students are required to choose either two Social Sciences or two Humanities "distribution of studies" (DOS) courses outside the Nursing and Allied Health Sciences Division.
The program's final three terms focus on the progressive role development covering Operating Room Techniques and Clinical Practice. The clinical phase of the program includes 12 hours of orientation, 315 hours of classroom instruction in OR Techniques and Pharmacology and 1,035 hours of supervised clinical practicum.
BEFORE YOU ENTER THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM...
If you are currently a high school student, we recommend your high school curriculum include science and math courses such as Chemistry, Biology and Algebra.
Prior to official admission to the program, the applicant must be accepted to BOTH the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, and to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, via an application and interview process. Both schools will charge separate admission fees, ranging from $35.00 and up.
PLEASE NOTE: All students seeking a Respiratory Care ot Surgical Technology degree MUST SUCCESSFULLY clear a criminal background check, an Act 33/34 clearance, and drug screen before entering the clinical phase of the program. Failure to do so will prohibit clinical participation and the ability to graduate with a degree in any of these majors. It is important to note that, to become licensed, many states will inquire as to whether the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor, a felony or a felonious or illegal act associated with alcohol and/or substance abuse. In addition, a 60-credit certificate only option is available. This option is described on the Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center's Surgical Technology website, which is listed below.
http://www.conemaugh.org/template_article.aspx?menu_id=90&id=1468
Additional fees from Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center are incurred to the Surgical Technology student and are as follows:
Fees Required or Collected by Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center (updated May 2011)
| Clearances and Background Check (estimated) | $ 70.00 |
| Application -Registration Fee for Memorial Medical Center | $ 35.00 |
| Academic Fees (Fall Semester, 2nd year) | $ 205.00 |
| Clinical Fees (Fall Semester, 2nd year) | $ 180.00 |
| Academic Fees (Spring Semester, 2nd year) | $ 200.00 |
| Clinical Fees (Spring Semester, 2nd year) | $ 180.00 |
| Academic Fees (Summer Semester, 2nd year) | $ 250.00 |
| Clinical Lab Fees (Summer Semester, 2nd year) | $ - 0 - |
| *AST Membership, **NBSTSA Certification Exam | $ 237.00 |
| *Association of Surgical Technologists | |
| **National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting | |
Prior to advancing to the clinical portion of the Program, the first-year courses must be completed with a QPA of 2.0 or greater in the required courses, with no course failures. Successful completion of CPR is also required prior to clinical enrollment. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the clinical site, a distance of approximately 6 miles from Pitt-Johnstown.
What Does A Surgical Technologist Do? Where do they work? And, what about job opportunities and salary?
Surgical Technologists work under the supervision of nurses and/or physicians performing procedures in...
- Operating Rooms
- Departments of Emergency Medicine
- Delivery Rooms
- Post-Anesthesia Care Units
- Cardiac Catherization Laboratories
- Ambulatory Surgery Units
- Gastrointestinal Laboratories
Surgical Technolgists are responsible for the preparation of operating rooms, obtaining and opening sterile supplies and devices, and assisting in preparing the patients for surgery by reviewing patient charts, monitoring vital signs, positioning the patient, and providing emotional support. They function as members of the surgical team who directly provides instruments for the surgeon. Individuals considering this profession should be responsible and detail-oriented with a preference for doing work involving precision and accuracy.
With experience, career growth options can include Certified First Assistant, Assistant Operating Room and CSR Administrators, teaching, sales and employment within the insurance industry. The need for Surgical Technologists is expected to grow much faster than average (by about 425%) through the decade. Salaries range from $32,534 to $45,720 (Salary,com, Spring 2012).
Surgical Technology Curriculum
First Year-Fall Term| Anatomy & Physiology / Lab | Biol 0950 | 4 credits |
| English Composition | Engcmp 0005 | 3 credits |
| Elective (Humanities or Social Science) | --------- | 3 credits |
| Introduction to Psychology | Psy 0200 | 3 credits |
| University Scholarship | CAS 0001 | 1 credit |
| TOTAL | | 14 credits |
First Year-Spring Term
| Anatomy & Physiology II / Lab | Biol 0970 | 4 credits |
| Algebra I | Math 0001 | 3 credits |
| Elective (Humanities or Social Science) | ---------- | 3 credits |
| Elective (Humanities or Social Science) | ---------- | 3 credits |
| Medical Microbiology | Biol 0980 | 3 credits |
| Medical Microbiology Lab | Biol 0981 | 1 credit |
| TOTAL | | 17 credits |
Prior to advancing to the clinical portion of the Program, the first-year courses (above) must be completed with a QPA of 2.0 or greater in the required courses, with no course failures. Successful completion of CPR is also required prior to clinical enrollment. Students are responsible for their transportation to and from the clinical site, a distance of approximately 6 miles from Pitt-Johnstown.
Second Year-Fall Term
| OR Techniques I | SurTec 1010 | 6 credits |
| Clinical Practicum I | SurTec 1020 | 8 credits |
| Pharmacology | SurTec 1030 | 3 credits |
| TOTAL | | 17 credits |
Second Year-Spring Term
| OR Techniques II | SurTec 1040 | 9 credits |
| Clinical Practicum II | SurTec 1050 | 8 credits |
| TOTAL | | 17 credits |
Second Year-Summer Term
| OR Techniques III | SurTec 1060 | 3 credits |
| Clinical Practicum III | SurTec 1070 | 7 credits |
| TOTAL | | 10 credits |
Beyond the Associate Degree...
Individuals who complete the requirements for their Associate Degree in any of the Allied Health Sciences may opt to continue at Pitt-Johnstown, on either a full-time or part-time basis, to receive a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare.