Surgical First Assistant Program (Online)

The Surgical First Assistant program at MCC only admits students once a year for fall classes. In addition to MCC’s general admission requirements, candidates applying to the Surgical First Assistant program must complete the following:

Apply for Admission

1. Visit this link to apply for acceptance at MCC (unless currently enrolled).
2. Send high school transcript and transcripts from any other non-KCTCS college if you have attended another institution even if you are only seeking a certificate.
3. Review all requirements for applying to MCC's Surgical First Assistant program.
4. Surgical First Assistant Program Admission Application

• • Please go through the application thoroughly. The application must be completed in detail as we have a vast number of students worldwide.
  • The application is located here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SFA25-26
  • Application deadline is July 1st. Applications received after July 1st will only be considered if spots are available in the class.

An acceptance email will be sent to the candidates offered a seat in the Surgical First Assistant program.

Note: Students may begin clinical in SUR 295 following: completion of Surgical Skills evaluation, purchasing liability insurance through the school, completing the MOA agreement, and approval of the program director and clinical facility. Students will continue performing clinical in SUR 294 and 297).  A student’s case log is calculated from combined procedures performed in SUR 295, SUR 294, and 297.

The student must complete 140 documented surgical procedures in the role of the surgical assistant. A minimum of 20 cases must be performed in General Surgery with the remaining cases assigned as appropriate to the student and level of experience.  Those students with extensive experience in a specific surgical area may document the remaining cases as approved by the program. Cases counted must be those that require a surgical assistant and are approved by the program.

Surgical Specialty

1. Cardiovascular
2. Peripheral Vascular
3. Thoracic
4. Orthopedic 
5. Neurosurgery
6. Ob-Gyn
7. Urology
8. Plastic
9. General
10. MIS
11. Ophthalmology
12. Otorhinolaryngology
13. Oral/Maxillofacial
14. Pediatrics
15. Oncology
16. Podiatry
17. Robotic Surgical Procedures
18. Living Tissue Transplant

SURGICAL ASSISTANT CASE COUNTS

To count a case in the first assistant role, the student must satisfactorily perform 8 out of 12 of the following responsibilities: 

PREOPERATIVE

1. Reviews Surgical Records including patient information history, preoperative tests (EKG, EEG, EMG, lab values, diagnostic imaging), safety measures, biopsy results 

2. Confirm placement and functionality of equipment and supplies with the surgical team

3. Communicate the surgeon’s preferences to the surgical team, i.e., suture needs, specialty supplies, positioning of the patient, etc.

4. Monitor and aid in the catheterization, skin prep, and/or positioning of the patient according to the surgeon’s preference.

INTRAOPERATIVE 

5. Confirm X-rays, MRIs, CTs, results of diagnostic tests, patient charts, etc., are in the operating room and available for review.

6. Monitor and aid in the draping of the patient; communicate the surgeon’s preference to the surgical team.

7. Injects local anesthesia, and/or performs incision dissection and/or secondary or subsequent trocar placement for procedure entry. 

8. Uses appropriate knowledge of normal pathological anatomy and physiology, and recognizes and responds appropriately to surgical events.

9. Provides visualization or assistance such as retraction, knot tying, suctioning/irrigation, application of hemostatic agents, and ESU hemostasis, as appropriate to the operative site.

10. Injects postoperative local, and/or performs insertion of drains, and/or closure of wound/body planes

POSTOPERATIVE 

11. Participates in splinting and immobilization, and/or placement of dressings

12. Transfers patient

Clinicals are to be set up by the college and student at their choice of clinical facility or place of employment in cooperation with the school. Students may begin clinical at the beginning of the program following completion of pre-clinical competencies; completion of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) and other student file requirements.

Surgical First Assistant Program (Online) involves the provision of direct care for individuals and is characterized by the application of verified knowledge in the skillful performance of Surgical First Assistant Program (Online) technical functions. Therefore, all applicants should possess sufficient:

• visual acuity, such as is needed in the surgical environment and for the observation necessary for patient assessment and care;

• auditory perception to receive verbal communication from patients and members of the health team and to assess health needs of people through the use of monitoring devices (e.g., cardiac monitors, biomedical equipment, fire alarms, etc.);

• gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly and to implement the skills, including the manipulation of equipment, positioning and lifting patients required in meeting health needs related to Surgical First Assistant Program (Online);

• verbal and non-verbal communication skills (speech, reading, and writing), such as are needed in classroom and clinical settings to interact with patients and professional personnel; and

• intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement care for individuals.

Out of State Graduates of CAAHEP approved Surgical Technology programs may transfer many of their Surgical Technology courses towards the associate if the surgical technology school you attended was accredited by a regional or nationally accreditation body approved by the Madisonville Community college. The amount of transferable Surgical Technology credits is based on the current Surgical Technology courses offered by the Madisonville Community College. The General Education courses will be reviewed individually.

The residency requirement for the AAS degree in Surgical Assisting is 24 hours; 16 of the 24 hours of the requirement will be met by taking the Surgical Assisting courses. The remainder of any general education requirements not met, or hours needed for the residency requirement, can be completed at the college through Kentucky Virtual University “KYVU