Surgical Technology Program Information
Important Information to Know
Moraine Park’s Surgical Technology program is a combination of rigorous academic and clinical experiences. While the program is located on the FDL campus, general education and pre-requisites courses are available at other campuses or online.
Currently you are accepted with “pre-core” status. Typically, a pre-core student will start by taking general education classes and completing other requirements. (MPTC does review and accept transfer credits from other colleges that may meet certain petition criteria.) Once specific courses, grades and other requirements are met, a “pre-core” student is eligible to petition to start core courses.
The petition process is competitive and based on academic strength and additional criteria. Review the Surgical Technology Petition Rubric for the requirements and scoring guide. The petition window opens each March to students who are ready to start core Surgical Technology courses the upcoming fall.
Please note that submitting a petition packet does NOT guarantee a spot in the core program. It provides an equal opportunity for eligible students to declare they are ready to transition to core coursework.
Depending on the pace that you complete your petition requirements and when you petition, anticipate that it will take more than two years to complete the program.
If you haven’t already, it is important that you sign up for the Program Advisor Meeting using the link provided in the introduction email.
Tools/Uniforms
Once you are starting your clinical core courses, you will need certain Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and a name tag.
Technical Abilities
Surgical Technology students must be able to complete certain activities. Below are some of the technical abilities. If you are concerned with your ability to meet these or want the full list, it is important to talk with your advisor early. More information will be shared during the core information session, this includes acknowledgement that you are able to perform the activities.
- Stand in one spot for an extensive amount of time – potentially several hours.
- Ability to lift surgical instrument trays as well as participate in patient lifting and positioning.
- Gross and fine motor skills; coordinated movements of the fingers with good hand-eye coordination.
- Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, hands, and arms.
- Hear and understand muffled communication without visualization of the person’s mouth and lips.
- Sufficient peripheral vision
- Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
- Work in an environment with potentially infectious materials, chemical substances and allergens.
Health and Other Requirements
Prior to clinical placement you must:
- Have your physical, immunizations, and drug screening test completed.
- Have your CPR certification for health care providers. If you don’t have it currently, you can take the training at Moraine Park. I will provide more details at your Program Advisor Meeting.
You have already completed your Background Information Disclosure (BID) as part of the admission process but you may need to do a recheck in the future.
Note: Clinic placement occurs after you have successfully petitioned.
Students must travel to clinical sites off campus within a 60 mile radius of the Fond du Lac campus. Reliable transportation will be important.