ITEM 110-1004-R0101 ATTACHMENT

BOARD OF REGENTS

STATE OF MONTANA

PROPOSAL

TO INITIATE A NEW, EXPANDED, COOPERATIVE, OR

OFF-CAMPUS INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM

SUBMITTED BY:

THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA-MISSOULA

College of Technology
Name of College, School, or Division

Health Professions
Name of Department(s) or Area

A NEW, EXPANDED, COOPERATIVE, OR OFF-CAMPUS INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM LEADING TO:

Associate of Applied Science
Certificate, Associate, Bachelor's,
Master's, or Doctoral Degree
(give complete name of degree)

 Surgical Technology
Academic Specialty or Area

Fall Semester 2001
Proposed Starting Date

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PROPOSAL HAS BEEN APPROVED BY:

(Resides on file in President's Office at UM)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Brief Description of the Proposed Program

The proposed Surgical Technology Associate of Applied Science degree program is an expansion of the existing three-semester Surgical Technology Certificate program.

The current Surgical Technology program prepares persons for employment as surgical technologists through a 54-credit program delivered in a three-semester sequence. Students who successfully complete the program are awarded a certificate of completion and are encouraged to take the national certification examination to become certified for practice.

The proposed Surgical Technology AAS degree is a 64-credit program delivered in a four-semester sequence. It is based on an associate degree model from the Association of Surgical Technology's educational consultant services program. The proposed program has been developed in response to requests from health care providers to meet the expanding role of the surgical technologist in the health care field. Also, an official adopted statement of the House of Delegates of the Association of Surgical Technologists (as of May 31, 1997) states that the preferred entry-level education for the surgical technologist is the associate degree.

Needs Assessment

Because the proposal does not request the authority to establish a new program, but rather an expansion of an existing program from the certificate to degree level, there has not been a needs assessment done to justify the proposal. Need for the program is based on the high placement rate of graduates and the fact this program does not have the capacity to satisfy employer demands for graduates/employees.

The need to expand the program has been evidenced by input from the Surgical Technology program advisory committee and national Association of Surgical Technologists. At the Surgical Technology program's advisory committee meeting in May 2000, members from Billings, Butte, Bozeman, and Missoula attended to voice their concerns on the expanded role of the surgical technologists, along with the existing employment needs for surgical technologists. Input was also received from Helena and Kalispell via telephone calls to the Surgical Technology program director.

Relationship to the Role and Scope of the Institution

The Surgical Technology program goal of educating/training individuals for employment is consistent with the College of Technology mission of providing academic (transfer), occupational, and developmental education which, in turn, is part of The University of Montana-Missoula role and scope.

Impact on Administrative Structure

The proposed program expansion will have no impact on the administrative structure of; the Health Professions Department which is the program's home department, the College of Technology, nor The University of Montana-Missoula.

Involvement of other University departments and colleges is limited. Surgical Technology students will take course work from the Business Technology and Applied Arts and Sciences Departments of the College and a course each from the Psychology Department and the Division of Biological Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Similar Programs in Montana

The Montana State University College of Technology-Great Falls is proposing a certificate program stating employers of surgical technologists reported that graduates of The University of Montana-Missoula College of Technology program tend not to seek employment on the east side of the Continental Divide, resulting in a severe shortage of surgical technologists as documented by their recently conducted needs assessment.

To ensure coordination and cooperation within the Montana University System, the Dean at The University of Montana-Missoula College of Technology and Surgical Technology program director have communicated with Montana State University College of Technology-Great Falls about this proposal.

Program Accreditation

The University of Montana-Missoula College of Technology Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Initial accreditation was granted in 1980 and last reaffirmed in spring 2000.

Proposed Curriculum

The proposed curriculum and course descriptions are appended to this proposal. The curriculum design is the result of input from the advisory committee and the Association of Surgical Technologists. It is planned program delivery will deviate from the historical resident cohort group approach.

The Surgical Technology program currently accepts 20 students each spring semester. The proposed program will be delivered to accommodate students throughout the state. They may take the general education/related instruction requirements at a college near them, Further, it is planned some of the major requirements would be distance delivered, allowing students the opportunity to make progress toward their degree without immediately abandoning their current residence or jobs. Outreach Partnership with various clinical sites throughout the state will be developed, allowing students to be placed in areas outside of Missoula for their clinical experiences earlier in the program rather than the traditional third semester Internship course. This method of delivery will enable students to enroll in their general studies in a college setting close to their homes and take on-line courses being developed for the didactic surgical courses.

In cooperation with the "outreach partners" it is planned students would be admitted to the program at Missoula, Butte, Billings, Helena, and Kalispell. The number of students admitted to the program will remain at 20, but intake will be each fall, rather than spring, semester.

FACULTY AND STAFF REQUIREMENTS

Current Faculty

Current faculty of the Surgical Technology program are: 

New Faculty

There will not be a need for new faculty. The current level of permanent and adjunct faculty, along with the clinical supervision provided by the "outreach partners," will satisfy program staffing needs.

Support Personnel

There will not be a need for additional support personnel.

CAPITAL OUTLAY, OPERATING EXPENSES, AND PHYSICAL FACILITIES

Operating Expenditure Needs

The only additional operating expense will be that needed to cover costs associated with travel. The program and clinical director will need to travel to the "outreach partners" clinical sites for reasons of support and supervision.

Library Resources

Library resources are adequate to support this proposed expanded program.

Clinical, Laboratory, and/or Computer Equipment

Clinical experiences will continue to be realized at cooperating clinical affiliates and the existing computer equipment will satisfy proposed program needs.

Facilities and Space

No additional expenditures will be required for space and capital structures. Existing facilities at the College will meet facility requirements for the didactic and lab portion of the program. The program will also feature electronic delivery of the didactic courses for students in outlying areas. Surgical facilities in Missoula, Butte, Bozeman, Helena, Kalispell, and Billings will continue to provide lab/clinical experiences required for the program.

EVALUATION OF PROPOSED PROGRAM

Faculty Committee/Council Review

The University of Montana Academic Standards and Curriculum Review Committee has reviewed and recommended approval of this proposed program change, as has the Faculty Senate.

Outside Consultants

There have been no outside consultants employed in the preparation of this proposal.

PROPOSED CURRICULUM

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY

AAS DEGREE 

 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

BIOL 106N Elementary Medical Microbiology 3 cr. Offered spring. Same as MICB 106N. Infectious diseases, including concepts of virulence, resistance, prevention and control of microbial diseases in the individual and in the community. If laboratory experience is desired, the student may enroll concurrently in BIOL 107N. Credit not allowed toward a major in microbiology.

COM 115T Technical Writing 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. An introduction to technical writing with emphasis on clarity and conciseness. Sentence, paragraph, and report organization are stressed; grammar and mechanics are reviewed. Short writing assignments and a technical report are critiqued for application of technical style, organization, and correct grammar and mechanics.

CRT 101 Introduction to Computers 2 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Introduction to computer terminology, hardware, and software. Includes basic microcomputing applications (word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation) commonly used in business and industry. Keyboarding is included. Internet and e-mail are introduced. Credit not allowed for both CRT 101 and CS 111.

MAT 100T Basic Algebra 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Real numbers, variable expressions, solving equations, polynomials, factoring, graphs, linear equations, systems of linear equations, inequalities, radical expressions, and quadratic equations.

NUR 100 Introduction to Health Skills 2 cr. Offered autumn and spring. An introduction to the health care system and a variety of professions within that system, including nontraditional aspects. Political, ethical, and cultural issues impacting health care are examined. Basic principles and psychomotor skills such as vital sign assessment and Universal Precautions are introduced and practiced in the campus laboratory.

PSYC 100S Introduction to Psychology 4 cr. Offered every term. Introduction to the scientific study of behavior in humans and other animals.

SCN 119N Anatomy and Physiology 6 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Basic knowledge necessary for students in health-related programs. Emphasis is on normal anatomy and physiology with presentation of basic concepts in chemistry and microbiology as they relate to human anatomy and physiology. A cadaver lab is included.

SEC 154T Beginning Medical Terminology 2 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Introduction to a medical word building system using Greek and Latin word roots, combining forms, suffixes, and prefixes.

SUR 101T Introduction To Safe Patient Care 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CRT 101, MAT 100T, NUR 100T, SCN 119N, and SEC 154T; coreq., SUR 102T. This course provides an orientation to the responsibilities and competencies of the surgical technologist in the central processing role and surgical departments.

SUR 102T Surgical Procedures Lab I 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CRT 101, MAT 100T, NUR 100T, SCN 119N, and SEC 154T; coreq., SUR 101T. This course provides an orientation to the physical organization of the Central Processing Department with emphasis on decontamination, sterilization, and preparation of surgical instrument/supplies.

SUR 154T Surgical Pharmacology 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., MAT 100T. This course provides a basic overview of the medications that are commonly used before, during, and after a surgical procedure.

SUR 200T Operating Room Techniques 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., completion of all first and second semester courses; coreq., SUR 202T. This course emphasizes the responsibilities and competencies of the surgical technologist in the preoperative scrub and circulator roles.

SUR 201T Surgical Procedures I 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., completion of all first and second semester courses; coreq., SUR 203T. This course offers a study of surgical procedures following the patient through the preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative stages of minor surgeries, scopic/diagnostic procedures, ENT, G-U, G-I, OB/GYN ,and Plasty/Reconstructive specialities.

SUR 202T Surgical Procedures Lab II 2 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., completion of all first and second semester courses; coreq., SUR200T. This course provides experience in the more advanced competencies required of the surgical technologist such as positioning, prepping, draping, and suturing.

SUR 203T Surgical Lab Practicum I 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., all first and second semester courses; coreq., SUR 200T, SUR 201T. SUR202T. The student will gain perioperative experience in the minor surgical procedure role through a supervised clinical hospital rotation.

SUR 204T Ethical Dimensions in Health Professions 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., suggest an ethical theory course. This course provides ethical decision-making tools for addressing common ethical issues in the health professions.

SUR 205T Surgical Procedures II 5 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., all first, second, and third semester courses; coreq., SUR 206T. A study of surgical procedures following the patient through the preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative stages of C-V/Thoracic, Orthopedic, Neurological, and Ophthalmic specialties.

SUR 206T Surgical Lab Practicum II 5 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., all first, second, and third semester courses; coreq., SUR 205T. The student will gain perioperative experience in the major surgical procedure role through a supervised clinical hospital rotation.

SUR 290T Surgical Internship 5 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., all first, second, and third semester courses; coreq., SUR 205T and SUR 206T. The internship is designed to increase the students proficiencies in the perioperative role by providing a capstone experience. The experience will prepare them for initial employment while increasing occupational awareness and promoting professionalism. Students will also take call for emergency surgeries alongside experience hospital staff.