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Nashville State Community College

Surgical Assisting

For information call the Health & Life Science Department at (615) 353-3708.
Pam Holland CST, AAS, Coordinator/Instructor, ext. 3331

Surgical Assisting Program Plan for Completion

Who Can Be a Surgical Assistant?

The Surgical First Assistant program is an advanced level course for experienced operating room professionals who wish to become surgical assistants.  Certified Surgical Assistant is a more advanced certification than the Certified Surgical Technologist.  A CST will need a minimum of two years operating room floor experience in the workforce to be considered a candidate for the CSA program.   Also, other medical professionals would be considered for candidacy for the CSA program, depending on their clinical and operating room experience.  All applicants will be screened and work experience reviewed before permitting an application to the program.  Contacting the Program Coordinator to determine eligibility before applying is advised.

What is a Surgical Assistant?

As defined by the American College of Surgeons, the surgical assistant provides aid in exposure, hemostasis, and other intraoperative technical functions that will assist the surgeon to carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. This role will vary based on the surgical operation, specialty area, and type of facility. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative skills performed under direct supervision of the surgeon may include the following: positioning the patient, preparing the skin, providing visualization of the operative site, utilizing appropriate techniques to assist with hemostasis, participating in volume replacement or auto-transfusion techniques as appropriate, utilizing appropriate techniques to assist with closure of body planes, selecting and applying appropriate wound dressings, and providing assistance in securing drainage systems to tissue.  Please see the application requirements below:

Program Requirements:

Admission Requirements - Surgical Assisting Application

Acceptance into the program will be determined by interview score, grade point average, recommendation forms, courses completed toward the program, and Tennessee residency. Applications for fall semester are due no later than August 1st each year.

• Each applicant must submit a current NSCC Application and official transcripts for past academic work.

• Each applicant must submit documentation of a minimum of 2 years of proficient experience in the operating room working in the scrub role within the last 3 years.

• Applicants with less than three years experience are subject to further review

• Review must demonstrate excellence in all aspects of work in the scrub role (i.e. skills, preparation, and professionalism).

• Each applicant must submit documentation of holding either a CST or CNOR or be qualified to sit for the CST or the CNOR exam.

• ST APPLICANTS: Students qualified to sit for the CST exam must successfully complete the CST exam prior to NSCC Surgical Assistant Program completion.

• NURSE APPLICANTS: Must have an RN, submit proof of current licensure, and must be qualified to sit for the CNOR exam.

• Each applicant must submit documentation for health records necessary to participate in clinical experience according to the requirements of each clinical affiliate. Documentation of a criminal background check may also be required based on clinical affiliates’ policy and Tennessee State law.

• Each applicant must submit documentation of and maintain Health Care Provider CPR certification for the duration of their enrollment in the Nashville State Community College Surgical Assisting Program.

• Upon acceptance into the program, students will be required to purchase individual professional liability insurance for the duration of their enrollment in the Nashville State Community College Surgical Assisting Program. Students will also be required to submit proof of health insurance to cover any and all injuries or illnesses during the Program.

• Each applicant must submit one recommendation form from:

  His or her supervisor

  A co-worker

  A surgeon who works with the applicant

• Each applicant must submit a signed “Clinical Preceptor Agreement’ from his or her precepting surgeon.

• Each applicant will be required to complete a formal review which may include a panel interview as directed by program staff before admittance will be granted.

• Prior work experience in the Surgical Assistant role may be considered for course credit. If a student desires to have prior work experience evaluated for course credit, documentation must be submitted prior to program acceptance. Only Surgical Assistant experience within the past two years will be considered for course credit.