Essential Functions

The Virginia Western’s Surgical Technology Program educates students to prepare competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Surgical Technologists are allied health professionals that collaborate with surgeons and other healthcare professionals to care for the patient in surgery. They have many duties such as, but not limited to, preparing the operating room, setting up the sterile field and equipment, instrument sterilization, pass instrumentation and supplies during procedures, manage the sterile field, count supplies and instruments, assist with wound closure and other duties related to the surgical patient. The Surgical Technologist acts as a strong advocate for the patient in surgery. While enrolled in the program, students must learn and demonstrate the skills and abilities of a surgical technologist in a variety of operating room settings while performing tasks under the supervision of surgeons and other healthcare professionals. Students must demonstrate situational awareness and may need to immediately respond to routine and urgent surgical needs.

To ensure quality of students, graduates, and eventually practicing surgical technologists, the Surgical Technology Program maintains academic and technical standards that must be mastered by students who wish to successfully progress through, and graduate from, this program. The standards included below reflect reasonable expectations of Surgical Technology (ST) students for common surgical technology functions in a clinical setting. ST students enrolled in the program must possess and/or develop abilities and skills in the areas of physical functioning, cognitive skills, social skills and emotional health and communication skills.

The technical standards and specific behaviors provided in this document are to inform prospective and enrolled students of the standards required to complete the curriculum requirements in lecture, lab, and clinical settings. The following technical standards outline the essential skills, abilities, and behavioral characteristics required for successful completion of the Surgical Technology program. These standards are not requirements for admission into the program. The examples provided represent only a sample of specific skills and behaviors associated with each standard.

However, once enrolled in the Surgical Technology program, students are required to meet the expectations of each technical standard to progress and graduate. Individuals interested in applying for admission to the program should review these standards to develop a better understanding of the demands of the profession and the educational environment.

The Virginia Western ST Program wishes to ensure that access to its facilities, programs and services is available to all students, including students with disabilities (as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008) and that all students meeting academic and technical standards can progress towards becoming a Surgical Technologist with or without reasonable accommodation. Prospective students with a disability who can meet these technical standards/essential functions with reasonable accommodations will not be denied admission to the program. The ST Program provides reasonable accommodations to all students on a nondiscriminatory basis consistent with legal requirements as outlined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to an instructional activity, equipment, facility, program, or service that enables a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity to fulfill the requirements necessary for graduation from the ST program. To be eligible for accommodations in the classroom and/or clinical settings, a student must have a documented disability of (a) a physical, psychological or learning impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; (b) a record of such impairment; or, (c) be regarded as having such a condition. For further information regarding services and resources to students with disabilities and/or to request accommodations, please contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) (540) 857-6488 Student Life Center S207 disabilityservices@virginiawestern.edu.

Technical Standards/Essential Functions

Physical Functioning

• Utilize sensory systems–including touch, vision, smell, sight, and hearing–to:
  • Accurately identify surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary for participating in surgical procedures.
  • Monitor patient conditions and respond to changes during procedures.
  • Detect and respond to cues such as alarms, verbal instructions, and operating room communications.
  • Recognize breaches in sterile technique or contamination through visual and tactile cues.
• Stand and walk for prolonged periods from one area to another over an eight (8) to twelve (12)- hour period.
• Lift and move surgical instrument trays of twenty-five (25) pounds and move equipment.
• Perform CPR (e.g., move above patient to compress chest and manually ventilate patient).
• Always maintain proper body mechanics to ensure the safety of themselves, patients, and other members of the surgical team during lab and clinical.
• Efficiently move into and maintain various positions required for surgical procedures, including standing for extended periods, sitting, walking, bending, squatting, and fully extending arms.
• Demonstrate appropriate motor control and physical strength to assist with two (2) to four (4) patient transfer and positioning, transport, pushing, pulling, and carrying.
• Demonstrate eye-hand coordination and tactile abilities for grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine motor manipulation for instrument and equipment handling.
• Respond quickly and effectively in emergencies or unexpected situations, such as equipment failure, patient distress, or breaches in aseptic technique.
• Maintain physical balance and stability while working in constrained or crowded operating room environments, often while wearing personal protective equipment to include, but not limited to, scrub hat, face mask, eye shield, gown, gloves, and shoe covers.

Cognitive Skills

• Follow VWCC instructions and rules as outlined in course syllabi, lab rules, programmatic handbook, and VWCC student handbook.
• Demonstrate critical thinking (capability to assess situations, apply knowledge and experience to problem solve, and make knowledgeable decisions) and problem-solving skills to anticipate the needs of the surgical team, adapt to unexpected situations, follow safety protocols, and ensure patient safety.
• Efficiently plan and perform tasks related to surgical procedures, to include, but not limited to preparing the operating room, managing sterile fields, and anticipating the sequence of surgical steps.
• Demonstrate academic readiness for clinical rotations, including mastery of foundational knowledge, technical skills, and professional behaviors by adequately researching and preparing for clinical assignments.
• Possess the academic and psychomotor ability (skills) to complete a demanding curriculum within the designated time limit, including successful completion of didactic, laboratory, and clinical components.
• Apply basic mathematical skills as it pertains to medical calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, ratios, decimals, fractions, metric conversions, and dosage calculations.

Social Skills & Emotional Health

• Display professional conduct appropriate for classroom, laboratory, and clinical environments, including respect, integrity, and accountability.
• Professional conduct includes maintaining high standards of personal hygiene and grooming to promote safety, uphold infection control, and reflect respect for patients, instructors, peers, and the clinical environment.
• Maintain situational awareness and functional memory to perform in the ST role effectively, ensuring precision, safety, and seamless participation throughout surgical procedures.
• Demonstrate a commitment to learning by actively engaging and maintaining attentiveness in coursework, skills labs, and clinical experiences.
• Use time and resources effectively, managing responsibilities and meeting deadlines in both academic and clinical settings.
• Exhibit interpersonal skills such as compassion, empathy, and teamwork when interacting with patients, peers, instructors, and healthcare professionals.
• Take accountability for personal conduct, academic performance, and patient care responsibilities in the surgical environment.
• Manage stress and adapt to change, maintaining composure and flexibility in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
• Accept and integrate constructive feedback professionally to improve performance and clinical competence.

Communication Skills

• Communicate proficiently in the English language to ensure safety, accuracy, and efficiency in the surgical setting.
• Accurately interpret written communications (e.g., test questions, written surgeon’s preference cards, medication labels, manufacturer instructions for use, etc.) without assistance.
• Communicate clearly with faculty, classmates, clinical site staff, members of the surgical team, and patients to ensure clarity and patient safety in both verbal and written form.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills during simulated surgical procedures and classroom activities.
• Exhibit strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, contributing positively to team dynamics in the operating room and classroom.
• Effectively communicate with diverse populations, showing cultural sensitivity and respect in all interactions within academic and clinical environments.