Accelerated Alternative Delivery Certificate Program

This course of study is for anyone employed as a surgical technologist, who did not graduate from a formal surgical technology program but desires becoming eligible to take the national certification exam leading to the title “Certified Surgical Technologist” (CST).

Eligibility:
Any person working as a surgical technologist for at least two full time years or four years part-time within the last 5 years and fits one of the descriptions below:

• On the job trained (before March 1, 2000) surgical technologists who, because they did not graduate from a formal surgical tech program, are unable to take the national certification exam
  
  OR
   
• LPNs working as surgical technologists who are unable to take the national certification exam, because they did not graduate from an accredited surgical technology program
  
  OR
   
• Military-trained surgical technologists from a non-accredited surgical technology program who are not eligible to take the national certification exam. 
   
  Active, reserve, or retired military surgical technologists are eligible to take the CST examination and are not required to complete an Accelerated Alternative Delivery Surgical Technology Program if they were actively (or subsequently) enrolled in military training on or after the following dates:
• Army:  July 2, 1998
• Navy:  September 26, 1988
• Air Force: August 27, 1976

If you are qualified to take the national CST examination by the criteria above you may contact the nbstsa.org for more information.

Admission Requirements:

• Successful passing (75%) on a Surgical Technology Admission Exam. Two attempts will be allowed.
  
• A Portfolio containing:
  • Documentation of successful first scrub on a minimum of 125 surgical procedures in these five surgical specialties over the past 5 years – general, gynecology, genitourinary, otorhinolaryngology, and orthopedics. Must be signed by the Director of Surgical Services in which the procedures were performed.
    And
  • For those on-the-job trained: Verification, through a letter from the Director of Surgical Services that on-the-job training occurred prior to March 1, 2000.
    Or
  • For licensed practical nurses: Proof of graduation from an accredited LPN program and current LPN license
    Or
  • For those military trained: Military documentation of training.
    And
  • Professional references from one surgical clinical administrator such as unit manager, charge nurse, surgical specialty manager, or surgeon.
    And
  • One professional reference from your Director of Surgical Services.

Accreditation:
Lorain County Community College Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Committee on Accreditation for the Surgical Technologist (ARC-ST) by the Council on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). By fulfilling all of the requirements and successful completion of courses on the attached Curriculum Guide, the student will be granted a Certificate of Completion from the Lorain County Community College Surgical Technology Program and is eligible to take the National Certification Exam, which upon passing, designates a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

Cost:
Courses are the usual per credit hour rates for Lorain County Community College tuition. Please get this information from the lorainccc.edu web site. Note there are different rates for students residing in Lorain County, out of Lorain County and out of state. Also note that students taking between 13 and 18 credit hours pay the 13 credit hour rate. There is an initial $50 fee for program administration and testing. A fee will be charged at the end, also.

Testing Out of Courses:
Testing out of courses is not allowed. Students are required to take all of the courses listed on the curriculum guide, regardless of educational background. College 101 may be waived. The English writing course may be accepted from another college or university.

Application Process:
If you have decided to apply to this program:

1. From the lorainccc.edu website, apply to the college. This is necessary to obtain a student number. If you have attended Lorain County Community College prior, you will not need to do this, as you already have a student number.
2. From the lorainccc.edu website, have all college transcripts sent directly to the Program Director
3. Complete the program application form and send it, with supporting documentation, to the Program Director
4. Complete the exam proctor agreement and send it to the Program Director
5. When #1-4 is complete, e-mail the Program Director, stating that the application for is completed.

Contacts: Please contact the correct office below:

• For information regarding Lorain County Community College, college admission, transcript information, fees, tuition, etc. contact the Connections Center at the College.
• Access our Web Site:
  http://www.lorainccc.edu/ for college application information, to access a course catalog and class schedule
• For Surgical Technology Program Specific Information only:
  Patricia Sedlak, CST, RN, MEd., CNOR, RNFA
  Surgical Technology Program Director
  Division of Allied Health and Nursing
  AAD@lorainccc.edu