Standards & Requirements

The following is used as a guideline for the prospective student so that he/she may understand the requirements and essential job functions necessary for successful completion of the Surgical Technology Program. This list isn't intended to be all-inclusive, but rather a detail of the basic physical demands of the profession of surgical technology.

Surgical technologists must be able to:
  • Stand, bend, stoop and/or sit for long periods of time in one location with minimal or no breaks.
  • Bend, twist and lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
  • Function for longer periods of time without a break.
  • Demonstrate sufficient peripheral vision to anticipate and function while in the sterile surgical environment.
  • Hear and understand muffled communication without visualization of the communicator’s mouth/lips with significant background noise.
  • Hear activation/warning signals on equipment.
  • Detect odors sufficient to maintain environmental safety and patient needs.
  • Manipulate instruments, supplies and equipment with speed, dexterity and exceptional eye-hand coordination.
  • Ambulate/move around without assistive devices.
  • Assist with, and/or lift, move, position and manipulate, with or without assistive devices, the patient who is unconscious.
  • Communicate and understand fluent English both verbally and in writing.
  • Be free of reportable communicable diseases and chemical abuse.
  • Function without allergic reaction in an environment with substantial latex exposure.
  • Demonstrate immunity to rubella, rubeola, tuberculosis and hepatitis B, varicella or be vaccinated against these diseases.
  • Possess short- and long-term memory sufficient to perform tasks such as, but not limited to, mentally tracking surgical supplies and performing anticipation skills intraoperatively.
  • Demonstrate the use of positive coping skills under stress.
  • Demonstrate calm and effective responses, especially in emergency situations.
  • Exhibit positive interpersonal skills in patient, staff and faculty interactions.
  • Make appropriate judgment decisions.
If the applicant is unable to perform any of the designated tasks, upon request, LCCC will make reasonable accommodations if they don't constitute an undue hardship on the college and if those accommodations don't interfere with the performance of any essential functions of a surgical technologist’s duties.