Surgical First Assistant - Post Associate Certificate of Completion

Spring First Year:

• SFA 275 - Principles of Surgical Assisting Credits: 2
• SFA 277 - Bioscience Credits: 6

Fall First Year:

• SFA 271 - Advanced Surgical Anatomy Credits: 4
• SFA 272 - Advanced Surgical Procedures Credits: 2
• SFA 273 - Fundamental Techniques Credits: 3

Winter First Year:

• SFA 278 - Clinical Practicum I Credits: 3

Spring Second Year

• SFA 279 - Clinical Practicum II Credits: 3
• SFA 280 - Surgical First Assistant Capstone Credits: 1

Total Credits: 24

Notations

1. Prerequisite qualifications for application to the program are: graduate of a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited Surgical Technology, Nursing, or Physician Assistant Program; Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), Nurse-Operating Room (CNOR) or Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C) with certification currency.
2. Prerequisite qualifications for entry to the program are: be admitted to Delta College; provide transcripts from all other colleges attended; completion with a “C” (2.0) minimum grade in BIO 152W  and BIO 153W  or BIO 240  and BIO 241 , BIO 203W , and HSC 105 , PHM 285 , or equivalents; and two years full time experience or 4500 clinical hours in the last three years.
3. Students must complete an application packet to be eligible to enter the program including two letters of recommendation, one from a surgeon and one from your supervisor. Please call the Program Coordinator at 989-686-9505 with questions. 
4. Students are required to maintain the following health requirements throughout the program, including but not limited to 1) current American Heart Association CPR certification for the healthcare provider/professional rescuer certification, 2) an annual TB skin test, and 3) immunization records including MMR, Td/Tdap, Varicella, and Hepatitis B or signed waiver.
5. A maximum of 18 students will be accepted each Spring semester. A minimum of 12 students must be admitted to start a cohort.
6. Students must achieve a minimum C (2.0) grade in each Surgical First Assistant course to be eligible to continue in the program.
7. Students must have transportation available to travel to college and clinical sites.
8. Students are responsible for obtaining their preceptor.
9. Students are required to show proof of liability insurance covering first assistant activities. Policy on an occurrence basis with limits of $1,000,000 per incident, and $3,000,000 in the annual aggregate.
10. In addition to tuition, fees, and textbook costs, students should plan for the following expenses proof of current immunizations & CPR certification to meet health requirements, background check, drug screen, appropriate laboratory and clinic attire including shoes, name tags, providing your own transportation to and from clinical sites, and possible parking fees. Students must also purchase the ASA Gold Package which includes your ASA, study guide for the ASA certification exam, and the ASA certification exam.
11. Health insurance is strongly recommended. You are responsible for paying the coast of any medical expenses due to injury, needle stick or illness during your clinical externship. The College does not provide coverage for such situations.
12. Students who receive a failing grade in the coursework will be eligible to reapply one time for readmission to the Surgical First Assistant Program and must repeat the failed course successfully. Students may only be readmitted to the program one time. If unsuccessful in the second attempt, students cannot be readmitted to the program.