Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework

The standards and benchmarks for this program were updated for the 2026-27 academic year.

Program Title: 	Surgical First Assisting
Career Cluster: 	Health Science

Associate in Science	
CIP Number	1351090900	
Program Type	College Credit	
Program Length	74 credit hours 	
CTSO	HOSA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	For program SOC codes, please see the Program and Course Tables section of the CTE Program Resources page linked below.	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Health Science career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of Health Science career cluster. 

The program is designed to prepare students for employment as a Surgical First Assistant.  

The content includes, but is not limited to, communication and interpersonal skills, legal and ethical responsibilities, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, aseptic techniques, patient care procedures, surgical procedures, patient safety, use and care of equipment and supplies, CPR, Heartsaver, employability skills, basic computer literacy and surgical first assistant skills such as preoperative duties, aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, intraoperative technical functions, and postoperative duties under the direction and supervision of the surgeon.  

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 74 credit hours.
When developing the course sequence for the local implementation of this program, select courses that:
•	Meet the skill development requirements of the standards and benchmarks of this program.
•	Meet the general education core course requirements of Rule 6A-14.0303, Florida Administrative Code.
•	Where reasonable and practicable, align with programs offered by your institution or other postsecondary institutions in Florida, including: 
o	Related CCC and ATD credentials.
o	Baccalaureate degrees within the same career pathway and/or Federal CIP code.

Visit FloridaShines’ Discover Programs website to identify other institutions that offer similar programs to review their course sequencing. Where appropriate, course alignment between institutions offering related programs can facilitate interagency student articulation.

Visit FloridaShines’ Common Prerequisites Manual to identify courses that are prerequisites for admission into an upper division program.  When sub-baccalaureate courses are aligned to the course admissions requirements of baccalaureate programs with the same career pathway, students can enter upper division coursework seamlessly.   

Florida’s Career Readiness Skills for CTE Programs

Employability Skills	
01.0	Apply academic skills to workplace scenarios.	
01.01	Use reading skills.	
01.02	Use writing skills.	
01.03	Use mathematical strategies and procedures.	
01.04	Use scientific principles and procedures.	
02.0	Design a solution to an industry problem.	
02.01	Use critical thinking.	
02.02	Use creativity.	
02.03	Make sound decisions.	
02.04	Solve problems.	
02.05	Reason. 	
02.06	Plan and organize.	
03.0	Manage resources within an industry project	
03.01	Manage time.	
03.02	Manage money or resources.	
03.03	Manage materials.	
03.04	Manage personnel.	
04.0	Oversee the subcomponents, operations and output of a technical or organizational system.	
04.01	Manage systems.	
04.02	Monitor systems.	
04.03	Improve systems.	
05.0	Use information for decision making.	
05.01	Locate information.	
05.02	Organize information.	
05.03	Use information.	
05.04	Analyze information.	
05.05	Communicate information.	
06.0	Apply relevant technology to workplace scenarios to aid productivity.	
06.01	Use technology.	
07.0	Interpret and express interpersonal communication.	
07.01	Communicate verbally.	
07.02	Listen actively.	
07.03	Comprehend written material.	
07.04	Convey information in writing.	
07.05	Communicate nonverbally.	
07.06	Interpret nonverbal communication.	
08.0	Interact with others to accomplish workplace goals.	
08.01	Collaborate with others in a team.	
08.02	Respond to customer needs.	
08.03	Exercise leadership.	
08.04	Negotiate to resolve conflict.	
08.05	Respect others.	
09.0	Manage personal behavior to maximize productivity and professional growth.	
09.01	Demonstrate responsibility and self-discipline.	
09.02	Adapt and show flexibility.	
09.03	Work independently.	
09.04	Demonstrate a willingness to learn.	
09.05	Demonstrate integrity.	
09.06	Demonstrate professionalism.	
09.07	Take initiative.	
09.08	Display positive attitude.	
09.09	Take responsibility for professional growth.	
Job Attainment	
10.0	Find, assess and apply to job opportunities.	
10.01	Identify online job posts relevant to his or her career aspirations.	
10.02	Compare and contrast the job posts’ required qualifications, job duties, compensation, benefits and employers. 	
10.03	Define what information, documentation and writing prompts are required for the positions.	
11.0	Communicate personal competence, character and fit for a job opportunity.	
11.01	Develop a resume.	
11.02	Write a cover letter.	
11.03	Curate a professional portfolio that includes work products.	
11.04	Prepare for and experience a mock job interview.	
12.0	Cultivate and leverage relationships to professionally advance.	
12.01	Request a signed reference letter, letter of recommendation and/or an online skill/professionalism endorsement. 	
12.02	Develop a plan to cultivate a professional digital footprint.	
12.03	Develop a networking plan for a specific industry of interest.	

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the health care delivery system and health occupations.
02.0	Demonstrate the ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills effectively.
03.0	Demonstrate legal and ethical responsibilities.
04.0	Demonstrate an understanding of and apply wellness and disease concepts.
05.0	Recognize and practice safety and security procedures.
06.0	Recognize and respond to emergency situations.
07.0	Recognize and practice infection control procedures.
08.0	Demonstrate an understanding of information technology applications in healthcare.
09.0	Demonstrate employability skills.
10.0	Demonstrate knowledge of blood-borne diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
11.0	Apply basic math and science skills. 
12.0	Demonstrate sterile processing skills. 
13.0	Demonstrate competencies in the components of the Surgical First Assistant related to communication and interpersonal skills. 
14.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the basic sciences related to Surgical First Assisting.
15.0	Describe and practice safety measures in the surgical environment.
16.0	Perform patient care procedures related to the surgical environment and describe methods for meeting patients’ needs.
17.0	Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacology and math calculation principles related to the surgical environment.
18.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the basic surgical skills necessary to function safely and effectively.
19.0	Demonstrate competencies in the components of the Surgical First Assistant related to knowledge and skills.
20.0	Demonstrate competencies in the components of the Surgical First Assistant related to legal and ethical responsibilities.
21.0	Demonstrate advanced skills competency regarding professional managerial skills.
22.0	Demonstrate the ability to analyze communication critically in the general education components of the program.
23.0	Demonstrate competency in critical reflection related to the human condition, interpretive abilities, and cultural literacy in the general education components of the program.
24.0	Demonstrate the ability to apply mathematical concepts and mathematical/computational models and methods in problem solving in the general education components of the program.
25.0	Demonstrate the ability to examine behavioral, social, and cultural issues from a variety of points of view. 

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title: 	Surgical First Assisting 
CIP Number: 	1351090900 
Program Length: 	74 credit hours

Standards 1-11 are referred to as the Health Science Core and are required standards in this program. Secondary and Postsecondary students completing the health science core will not have to repeat the core in any other health science program in which it is a part.  When the recommended sequence is followed, the structure allows students to complete at specified points for employment or remain for advanced training or cross-training.  

To ensure consistency whenever these courses are offered, the health science core standards (1-11) and benchmarks have been placed in a separate document. To access this document, visit this link: 
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/20569/urlt/health-sci-core-psav-cc-2324.rtf

At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
12.0	Demonstrate sterile processing skills. The student will be able to:	
12.01	Apply the principles of medical/surgical asepsis, including attire, environmental control, and traffic patterns, to control and manage dirty, clean, and sterile areas of the operating room and central supply.	
12.02	Identify relevant federal, state, and local guidelines, standards, and regulations. 	
12.03	Apply ergonomic considerations and appropriate body mechanics for lifting, turning, pulling, pushing, reaching, and other work-related activities. 	
12.04	Describe the methods of disinfection and sterilization.	
12.05	Describe the importance of following the device, equipment, instrument, or supply manufacturer’s instructions for decontamination, processing, operation, and troubleshooting.	
12.06	Demonstrate correctly decontamination techniques for instruments, equipment, and the environment used during surgical procedures.	
12.07	Demonstrate appropriate techniques for inspection, testing, and sending out for repair instruments, equipment, and supplies regarding condition, quantity, and quality.	
12.08	Describe clean and sterile transportation, restocking, and storage principles for instruments. 	
12.09	Analyze the results of sterilization process monitors used in sterilization units, sterilization cycles, and ensure documentation meets the safe parameters for each item prior to its use.	
12.10	Describe the clean and sterile transportation, restocking, and storage principles for supplies in the facility (receivables, sterile, and clean). 	
12.11	Demonstrates the ability to identify and communicate the appropriate instruments, equipment, and supplies to the surgical team for any surgical procedure.	
12.12	Demonstrate the ability to prepare and label items for high-level disinfection and sterilization as required.	
12.13	Demonstrate the techniques of high-level disinfection and the process for Immediate Use Steam Sterilization when necessary (i.e., one-of-a-kind items).	
12.14	Describe various supply, distribution, and inventory control methods.	
12.15	Demonstrate the ability to verify case cart preparation and management.	
13.0	Demonstrate competencies in the components of the Surgical First Assistant related to communication and interpersonal skills. The student will be able to:	
13.01	Demonstrate proper use of communication systems.	
13.02	Use various forms of communication in the role of Surgical First Assistant to communicate relevant, accurate, and complete information in a concise and clear manner.	
13.03	Collaborate with the patient, surgeon, and other members of the healthcare team to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate the patient’s surgical care to promote positive outcomes, including the use of preoperative checklists, preoperative assessment, and evaluation methods.  	
13.04	Demonstrate effective patient communication techniques. 	
13.05	Demonstrate the ability to analyze and communicate specific patient care factors or needs and the surgeon’s preferences to the surgical team, including suture needs, specialty supplies and instrumentation, and equipment.	
13.06	Describe the concepts of conflict resolution, assertive behavior, and the principles of teamwork as a patient advocate and assistant to the surgeon.	
13.07	Demonstrate competency regarding reporting and documentation responsibilities in the clinical setting.	
13.08	Employ leadership skills to accomplish the organization’s goals and objectives. 	
13.09	Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in order to accomplish objectives and tasks. 	
13.10	Conduct and participate in meetings to accomplish work tasks. 	
13.11	Employ mentoring skills to support inexperienced team members.	
14.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the basic sciences related to Surgical First Assisting. The student will be able to:	
14.01	Apply knowledge of the microbial environment to the surgical care of the patient. 	
14.02	Analyze patient defense mechanisms, the chain of infection, and the infectious process as related to surgical practice and the prevention of surgical site infections.	
14.03	Correlate wound classifications and wound healing principles with wound management guidelines and complications.	
14.04	Demonstrate infection and disease transmission control techniques following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for surgery.	
14.05	Describe the causes, clinical signs and symptoms, and prevention measures for surgical infections. 	
14.06	Describe the basic composition, principles, clinical signs, and symptoms regarding electrolytes and fluid balance. 	
14.07	Assess the clinical signs of hypovolemic, septic, hemorrhage, neurogenic, and cardiogenic shock. 	
14.08	Correlate the principles and disorders of hematology, hemostasis, types of blood components, and coagulation with hemostasis in surgery. 	
14.09	Discuss the principles of information technology, electricity, and robotics as they relate to surgery.	
15.0	Describe and practice safety measures in the surgical environment. The student will be able to:	
15.01	Inspect emergency equipment and supplies for condition and quantity.	
15.02	Implement appropriate Joint Commission patient safety goals.	
15.03	Demonstrate appropriate safety measures to prevent operating room fires and electrical shock from equipment.	
15.04	Apply knowledge of surgical hazards to safe patient care. 	
15.05	Demonstrate the safe inspection and utilization of laser, electrical, endoscopic, and robotic equipment.	
15.06	Describe and practice appropriate safety measures for laser, electrical, endoscopic, and robotic surgery.	
15.07	Describe the role preventive maintenance, prevention, correction, and documentation play in patient and personnel safety and the prevention of medical errors in the surgical setting. 	
15.08	Describe the role of the surgical technologist and surgical first assistant in an emergency patient situation.	
15.09	Describe the protocol for personal injury, including the completion of incident/occupancy reports and follow-up.	
15.10	Describe the preparation and planning, detection and communication, incident management and support systems, safety and security, clinical/public health assessment and intervention, contingency, continuity and recovery, and the public health law and ethics of All-Hazards Preparation for disasters. 	
15.11	Conduct technical research to gather information for decision-making. 	
15.12	List and describe quality control systems and/or practices common to the workplace. 	
15.13	Employ critical thinking skills independently and in teams to solve problems, resolve conflicts, and make decisions. 	
16.0	Perform patient care procedures related to the surgical environment and describe methods for meeting patients’ needs. The student will be able to:	
16.01	Identify the roles of the members of the surgical team during each phase of surgery.	
16.02	Assist surgeon with the perioperative care of the surgical patient.	
16.03	Participate in the preoperative examination and preparation process for both surgery and anesthesia, with the identification of potential patient factors that may inhibit positive outcomes.	
16.04	Describe appropriate review and identification of patient factors regarding the chart, including preoperative identification, preoperative checklists, diagnostic tests, lab values, and surgical consent.	
16.05	Demonstrate safe patient transfer/transportation techniques used in the perioperative setting.	
16.06	Monitor OR traffic, placement of sterile tables, and ensure steps are taken to reduce microbial fallout.	
16.07	Describe anesthesia monitoring devices, patient complications, interventions, and maintaining patient homeostasis.	
16.08	Demonstrate the principles of safe positioning and application of safety devices to ensure patient safety.	
16.09	Demonstrate the selection of the appropriate solution and preparation of the operative site for the surgical procedure.	
16.10	Perform steps for Foley catheter insertion and connection to drainage.	
16.11	Describe the safe usage of critical instruments, equipment, and supplies utilized intraoperatively, including the electrosurgical unit, Lasers, Ultrasonic equipment, endoscopy equipment, robotics, insufflators, light sources, microscopes, power tools, suction, tourniquets, etc.	
16.12	Demonstrate correctly the connection and operation of essential instruments, equipment, and supplies for the surgical procedure.	
16.13	Demonstrate correct mathematical skills related to dosage available versus dosage needed when drawing up or administering medications. 	
16.14	Demonstrate knowledge of wound management techniques, including suturing techniques in the operating room, perioperative care of special needs patients, and perioperative assessment of the skin.	
16.15	Demonstrate applicable wound management principles, including the placement and security of catheters, wound drainage systems, sterile dressings, and cast applications.	
16.16	Discuss relevant and unique factors regarding postoperative care specific to the procedure.	
17.0	Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacology and math calculation principles related to the surgical environment. The student will be able to:	
17.01	Analyze the terminology and the basic concepts of pharmacology and drug administration, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.	
17.02	Describe pharmacological concepts relative to the administration of all anesthesia methods, agents, and techniques, including the role of the anesthetist, the first assistant, and the circulator during induction and extubation. 	
17.03	Analyze preoperative principles of patient assessment and how they relate to anesthesia. 	
17.04	Identify the classification, actions, effects, and precautions of common drugs used at the field within the surgical environment. 	
17.05	Apply knowledge of the pharmacologic agents used in the treatment of the surgical patient. 	
17.06	Describe potential anesthesia and operative complications and interventions for each.	
17.07	Demonstrate the application of the Six Rights of Medication Administration.	
17.08	Identify the correct medication form and method of application.	
17.09	Demonstrate correct techniques for injection of local anesthetics.	
17.10	Analyze and assemble correctly all medication supplies for each drug to be used on the sterile field.	
17.11	Manage sterile solutions accurately within the sterile field.	
17.12	Demonstrate the appropriate methods of transferring and accepting medications onto the sterile field.	
17.13	Label properly all fluids and medications used within the sterile field.	
17.14	Demonstrate the ability to correctly calculate common medication conversions and dosages.	
17.15	Assess the risks and adverse effects of anesthesia, conscious sedation, local anesthesia agents, and pain management in the surgical setting.	
17.16	Describe the function and its implications of anesthesia, conscious sedation, local anesthesia agents, and pain management as they relate to the preoperative patient.	
17.17	Maintain accurate documentation of the amount of each medication and/or solution used at the field and notify the circulator as appropriate 	
17.18	Explain the principles of local injection techniques and topical anesthetic agents. 	
18.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the basic surgical skills necessary to function safely and effectively. The student will be able to:	
18.01	Demonstrate an understanding of advanced anatomy, physiology, disease processes, and the relationship of the processes to the specific types of pathologies according to body systems. 	
18.02	Correlate the preoperative diagnosis, diagnostic interventions, common complications, and operative pathophysiology relative to specific surgical procedures.	
18.03	Correlate the preoperative diagnosis, operative anatomy, physiology and pathology, usual incision, wound closure techniques, medications utilized, common complications, and the usual sequence as related to specific surgical procedures. 	
18.04	Select and verify required instrumentation, equipment, and supplies, including any implants needed for specific surgical procedures using core knowledge and the applicable surgeon preference/procedure cards.	
18.05	Demonstrate an understanding of diagnostic images as related to surgical anatomy. 	
18.06	Demonstrate application of aseptic and sterile technique principles, including the appropriate corrective action for common breaks in sterile technique that may occur.	
18.07	Demonstrate the surgical scrub and donning of a sterile gown and gloves.	
18.08	Demonstrate the principles of sterile draping.	
18.09	Demonstrate assisted gowning/gloving for others.	
18.10	Participate in the surgical time out to prevent wrong-site surgery and delays in the surgical procedure.	
18.11	Select, prepare, pass, and utilize instruments, equipment, tissue replacement materials, implants, and supplies efficiently.	
18.12	Monitor the surgical site regarding counted items, stage of surgery, tissue appearance, and patient’s body fluids, e.g., blanching, desiccation, color of blood, blood loss, bile leaks, ascites, etc.	
18.13	Demonstrate correctly the initiation and completion of counts regarding sponges, sharps, instruments, and miscellaneous items used within the patient’s wound to prevent foreign body retention.	
18.14	Describe the types of incisions, methods of wound closure, and mechanisms of wound management.	
18.15	Describe the usual sequence of a common surgical procedure. (i.e., incision into the anatomy, dissection of the anatomy, operative steps of the procedure, and closing of the anatomy).	
18.16	Selects the appropriate instrument, equipment, or supply for each step of the procedure. 	
18.17	Demonstrate ability to prepare, validate, handle, and preserve specimens accurately for laboratory analysis.	
18.18	Demonstrates knowledge of and assists as needed with surgical procedures while functioning in the roles of scrub and assistant circulator.	
18.19	Demonstrate effective perioperative case management, ensuring cost control and time/motion economy methods are utilized to maximize the efficiency of the OR team.	
19.0	Demonstrate competencies in the components of the Surgical First Assistant related to knowledge and skills. The student will be able to:	
19.01	Prioritize care or actions to be taken in a given circumstance to expedite the operative procedure or emergency situation.	
19.02	Describe preoperative diagnosis, common complications, operative pathophysiology, and postoperative care related to the specific surgical procedures performed.	
19.03	Analyze common patient assessments, including skin and chart review, relating relevant diagnostic and monitoring results to the surgeon as applicable to the surgical specialty. 	
19.04	Demonstrate preoperative preparation of the patient to facilitate proper patient care, including but not limited to positioning, application of tourniquet, surgical skin preparation, catheterization, draping, and sterile setup preparation. 	
19.05	Demonstrate and describe types of incisions and insertion of trocars.	
19.06	Identify types of tissue, organs, and gross anatomical structures correctly during surgical procedures. 	
19.07	Demonstrate appropriate tissue handling techniques, including the care of the surgical specimens.	
19.08	Provide appropriate exposure and visualization of the operative field for the surgeon. 	
19.09	Describe the appropriate sequence for common surgical procedures.	
19.10	Utilize appropriate techniques to assist with hemostasis.	
19.11	Demonstrate appropriate safe surgical techniques when the case involves either thermal, radiological, laparoscopic, environmental, or another known surgical hazard. 	
19.12	Participate in volume replacement or autotransfusion techniques and medication administration as appropriate.	
19.13	Select appropriate instruments and supplies for the type of tissue. 	
19.14	Demonstrate competence with technology, the use of instruments, equipment, supplies, and medications for the surgical procedure. 	
19.15	Use surgical instruments skillfully in ways consistent with their design and purpose. 	
19.16	Utilize appropriate techniques to assist with the closure of body planes. 	
19.17	Select and apply appropriate wound dressings. 	
19.18	Assist the surgeon in securing drainage systems to tissue. 	
19.19	Evaluate the patient and report appropriately any abnormal condition found post-op related to positioning. 	
19.20	Assist the surgeon with postoperative care of the patient to facilitate proper patient care. 	
19.21	Demonstrate appropriate response to emergency situations, including respiratory/cardiac arrest situations, sudden hypoxia, hemorrhage, shock, surgical misadventures, contamination, perforation of viscus or cavity, critical equipment failure, and exposure, retraction, and compression injuries. 	
19.22	Facilitate the continuity of care within and across the healthcare settings to access available resources and services.	
20.0	Demonstrate competencies in the components of the Surgical First Assistant related to legal and ethical responsibilities. The student will be able to:	
20.01	State methods, standards, and aids that assist a surgical first assistant with interpreting and following legal responsibilities.	
20.02	Describe the importance of maintaining credentials and following the appropriate credentialing policy in accordance with hospital policy and appropriate laws and regulations. 	
20.03	Explain the scope of practice for the surgical first assistant.	
20.04	Describe the key elements related to the development of a surgical conscience.	
20.05	Explain the purpose of Florida’s “Right to Know” law and its provisions.	
20.06	Demonstrate an understanding of the legal, ethical, moral, and professional responsibilities of working as a surgical assistant and the professional skills necessary to fulfill the role. 	
20.07	Provide health care within the ethical/legal framework of the job description, including role responsibilities and limitations.	
20.08	Describe the principles of problem solving and confidentiality in ethical decision making and risk management.	
20.09	Define current strategies that promote patient safety and continuous improvement (i.e., Six Sigma and Lean Management). 	
21.0	Demonstrate advanced skills competency regarding professional managerial skills. The student will be able to:	
21.01	Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively during mock briefing and debriefing exercises.	
21.02	Analyze the potential risks and errors found in healthcare and methods to prevent those risks.	
21.03	Describe the mechanism of change, policy formation, and implementation.	
21.04	Describe the process of performance appraisal.	
21.05	Describe how to promote positive patient outcomes through effective followership and leadership.	
22.0	Demonstrate the ability to analyze communication critically in the general education components of the program. The student will be able to:	
22.01	Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively.	
22.02	Demonstrate the ability to analyze communication critically.	
23.0	Demonstrate competency in critical reflection related to the human condition, interpretive abilities, and cultural literacy in the general education components of the program. The student will be able to: 	
23.01	Confirm the ability to think critically through demonstrating interpretive ability and cultural literacy. 	
23.02	Acquire competence in reflecting critically upon the human condition. 	
24.0	Demonstrate the ability to apply mathematical concepts and mathematical/computational models and methods in problem solving in the general education components of the program. The student will be able to:	
24.01	Determine appropriate mathematical and computational models and methods in problem solving.	
24.02	Demonstrate an understanding of mathematical concepts. 	
24.03	Apply appropriate mathematical and computational models and methods in problem solving. 	
25.0	Demonstrate the ability to examine behavioral, social, and cultural issues from a variety of points of view. The student will be able to:	
25.01	Describe cultural, religious, or ethical differences that could influence perceptions of an event or situation. 	
25.02	Describe basic social and behavioral science concepts and principles used in the analysis of behavioral, social, and cultural issues from historical and global perspectives. 	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools, and equipment, as well as experimental, quality, and safety procedures, are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate, and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

The Human Patient Simulator (HPS) or other accepted simulation scenarios may be used for a limited number of clinical hours. A low teacher-student ratio in the lab and clinical area is strongly recommended.  The recommended maximum ratio is 1:8.

Special Notes

This program focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the health care industry: planning, management, finance, technical and production skills, underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues and health, safety, and environmental issues.

This program meets the Department of Health’s education requirements for HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence, and Prevention of Medical Errors.  Although not a requirement for initial licensure, it is a requirement for renewal, therefore, the instructor may provide a certificate for renewal purposes to the student verifying these requirements have been met.

If students in this program are seeking a licensure, certificate, or registration through the Department of Health, please refer to 456.0635, F.S. for more information on disqualification for a license, certificate, or registration through the Department of Health.

The Surgical First Assistant Core Curriculum should be taught by qualified staff as outlined in the most recent approved Commission on Accreditation on Allied Health Education programs (CAAHEP) accreditation standards and guidelines. 

Entering students who have successfully completed the program 0351090905 or 0351090904, Surgical Technology, or are currently Nationally Certified as a CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) or SA-C (Surgical Assistant-Certified) should be given appropriate advanced standing. 

After successful completion of a Commission on Accreditation on Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited surgical first assistant program, students are eligible to take the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting First Assistant exam as approved.

The standard length for the AS degree program is 74 college credits.  

The CORE should be taken first in the program. Following the successful completion of the core, the student is eligible to take the National Health Care Foundation Skill Standards Assessment with instructor approval and the completion of a portfolio.

General Education Course Requirements for AS and AAS Degrees

State Board of Education Rule 6A-14.030(4), F.A.C., identifies 15 credit hours as the minimum amount of general education coursework required in the Associate of Science (AS) degree and the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.  In addition, Rule 6A-14.0303, F.A.C., implements s. 1007.25, F.S., and requires students entering a technical education degree program in the 2022-2023 academic year, and thereafter, to complete at least one identified core course in each subject area as part of the general education course requirements (15 credit hours total) before a degree is awarded. The core subject areas include: 
•	Communication. 
•	Humanities.
•	Mathematics. 
•	Natural Sciences.
•	Social Sciences.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

CTSOs are co-curricular career and technical student organizations providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. Other CTSOs not listed in this curriculum framework or recognized by the Florida Department of Education are permissible provided they support student mastery over the standards and benchmarks of this curriculum framework.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology, and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Certificate Programs

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).  This AS degree program includes the following College Credit Certificates:

Surgical First Assistant (0351090908) – 59 Credits

Standards for the above certificate programs are contained in separate curriculum frameworks.