Meeting & Agendas

Mark Webster called the meeting to order. Those in attendance were Pedro Barrera, III, Kathy Baumbach, Regina Cook, Tony DeDominico, Susan Diamond, Dr. Tim Faulkenberry, Eileen Klein, Glynda Moon, Jereka Thomas-Piper, Barbara Powell, Michele Richards, Edward Rodriquez, Becky Stewart and Mark Webster.

The PAE (Program Assessment Exam) results for the classes of December 2006 and August 2007. The PAE results usually are lower than the national exam. The PAE exam is given first and the results come back to the students. This enables the students to see where they need to improve when studying for national exam. The cost for the national Certification exam keeps some people from being certified. The initial cost is $190.00 if you are also a member of AST. The cost to recertify is $500.00. Although some students plan to become certified aftr they have worked for a while, they don\'t always follow through. More students are certified if they take the test soon after graduation. Being certified does make a difference down the road when figuring pay and advancement.

There was a Graduate Survey for the classes of December 2006 and August 2007. Overall the survey was positive with an overall average for December 2006 at 4.6 and August 2007 at 4.2. One problem mentioned in the class of August 2007 was grading. They felt the instructors weren\'t all \'\'on the same page\'\'. This subject has been discussed during staff meetings and a series of different methods were discussed to see how close the instructors are in their grading. They found that they are very similar and discussed what they do to keep the grading the same. Clinical site evaluations were submitted for December 2006 and 2007. Dr. Faulkenberry stated that students who need to observe certain surgeries or want to scrub in should get the surgeon involved. If there is a problem between staff, preceptor and/or student, the site should be notified so they can work on making clinicals a more positive experience. The names of some possible new clinical sites are: Dell\'s Children Center; Scott and White, Cedar Park Regional Medical Center, and the Hays County facility. Some of these sites would be very good for first semester students.

Classroom attendance is voluntary; however, role is taken 5 minutes after the class session has started in order to evaluate attendance incentive extra credit at end of semester. Clinical attendance is designed to enhance the education and become accustomed to a workforce environment. The attendance policy was created in conjunction with input from the ACC Surgical Technology Advisory Committee which is made up of a medical advisor, the affiliated hospital directors of surgical services and staff. The attendance policy will be revisited in a year to check the figures and see what changes, if any, have occurred.

ACC Surgical Technology program uses a scrub and paint method. This method is also used by the medical sites. The faculty will continue to teach this method.

There was discussion about giving students a certificate stating Completion of Surgical Sequence although they may still need to take Math and Pharmacology. It was discussed to let the student walk with the other students across the stage but receive a blank certificate, or sit in the audience and be acknowledged. Consensus of opinion was that they shouldn\'t be allowed to walk or be acknowledged.

The Surgical Technology program does have challenge exams but they need to be looked at and updated. People who have been trained on the job, want to continue their education and receive an AAS are some reasons people want to take a challenge exam. It was decided that there should be more than just a paper exam; a clinical component should also be added. This will be looked at by the Surgical Technology faculty.

Tony DeDominico inquired as to what is being taught about \'\'safe sharps\'\'. ACC uses hand passing for sharps. Mr. DeDominco asked if we have a \'\'no pass\'\' zone. The different methods and types of cases were discussed regarding the passing of safe sharps. Mr. DeDeminico also suggested that the students attend the In Service meetings. It is a good opportunity to find out what and how \'\'real life\'\' is. Regina Cook, student, stated she took her clinical logs with her when she went on an interview and the prospective employer was very impressed. Regina also wanted to know if there was any chance of a First Assist Program being implemented. This topic is on the back burner for now.