ADMISSIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMETS

PITTSBURGH CAMPUS @Carlow University

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Admissions Requirements



Physical Requirements

General Admission Requirements

The UPMC School of Surgical Technology at Carlow University admits up to 25 students per cohort/50 per year with a cohort starting each August and January.
● Have a high school diploma of G.E.D. ● Submit high school transcripts or G.E.D. scores to admissions● Must reach the age of 18 years of age or older prior to starting the surgical technology core courses beginning with SUR-101 generally in the third semester.● We do not admit ability to benefit students.● Must be able to pass a criminal background check and drug screening to participate in clinical experiences at UPMC hospitals and facilities.  
For Current UPMC Employees Enrolling In Work To Learn FlexYou Must be in a transfer eligible status on the date classes start:● Been in initial position for 12 months or have manager approval for early transfer.● No corrective actions in the past 6-months.● Written reference from current manager with summary of attendance over the past 12-months or permission to contact manager.● Note: Employees approved for FMLA must meet and maintain the academic requirements of the program. FMLA only provides job protection and does not provide any exception to academic requirements.  

Surgical Technology Core Admissions Requirements:
The Surgical Technology Program is a limited enrollment program which means that after you are accepted at Carlow, you must meet certain requirements to move forward to the Surgical Technology Core Curriculum.
Students who are accepted and enrolled with Carlow must maintain a 2.0 grade point average or higher AND pass Medical Terminology, A&P II, and Microbiology with a 2.0 or higher to matriculate into the Surgical Technology Core.
Students who do not meet these criteria will need to retake any courses and pass them with a 2.0 or better and start the Surgical Technology Core in the next semester those classes begin. Core Classes start approximately every 6 months.
Prospective Students With An Existing Conferred Degree Or Transfer CreditsYou may be able to enter directly into the Surgical Technology Program provided you have taken A&P II, Medical Terminology, and Microbiology within the last 4 years. Carlow's admissions team will work with you to determine your transfer credits and if you need any additional courses.
Background Check (Admitted Students)
Students who are accepted into the program will have experiences at UPMC facilities including access to UPMC systems and patients and must have the clearances below.CPR classes are taught to students when matriculating to the Surgical Technology Core at no additional cost.
● Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)● Act 33 (Child Abuse Clearance) with renewal● Act 34 (Criminal Record Check) with renewal

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Admissions Decisions:​​​​​​​● Students accepted into the program will be notified 4-6 weeks prior to the start of classes.​​​​● A decision letter will be sent to your UPMC work email account.
Communications about application status and updates are sent via email. Ensure you are regularly checking the email on your application for updates to avoid missing a required step.

 Physical Requirements:There are specific physical requirements for Surgical Technologists apply to both the program and career field that you should be aware of and consider before you apply.
If you have any questions or concerns about these requirements or would like to understand if any reasonable accommodation can be granted, you can contact us at .ude.cmpu%40ofnimargorp Knowingly and willfully attesting to requirements you cannot meet are grounds for expulsion as it would be potentially unsafe for you or patients to enroll in the program if you cannot meet these requirements. ● *Lifting / Carrying:The profession requires the lifting and carrying of medical equipment, supplies, medications, and charts. Average lifting requirements is 10-50 pounds. Varying weights are encountered when lifting and transferring patients. It is expected that the ST will request assistance when lifting and repositioning patients.● *Pushing / Pulling:Pushing and pulling are required in the transfer of patients and medical equipment.● Bending / Twisting:This is required when making beds, setting up operating supplies and monitoring medical equipment.● *Hearing: A normal range of hearing is needed by the ST to communicate effectively. The ST listens with a stethoscope in the performance of blood pressure assessment and must be able to detect mechanical alarms and effectively participate in group discussions and phone conversations. The ST must often respond to auditory requests without visual cues.● *Vision:The ST must read written communication, monitor equipment, and prepare medications. The ST must also be able to handle sutures and needles thinner than a human hair.● Depth Perception: This is required for fine task performance when using medical supplies for insertion into the body.● *Fine Motor Skills:The ST must be able to write clearly and precisely with a pen. In the performance of certain procedures, grasping and control of medical equipment is necessary.● *Tactile Sensation:The ST must be able to feel vibration and distinguish temperature changes and must be able to grasp and manipulate equipment when providing patient care.● *Walking / Standing:Walking and standing for extensive periods of time are required of the Surgical Technologist. During some operations, the Surgical Technologist must stand on stools and stand for 6 hours or more.● *Temperature Requirements:The operating room temperature is usually set from 68-72 degrees. During some cases, the temperature is increased to assist in maintaining a normal temperature for the patient. The Surgical Technologist must wear a gown, gloves, hat, shoe covers and a mask on most cases. On total joint cases, helmet and space suit type wear are required. Cases are completed under bright lights that can add to the temperature. Surgical Technology Students must be able to function in this environment. Applicants with a history of fainting must beware as they will also have to wear PPE.

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— Admissions FAQ

View frequently asked enrollment questions. Not finding the answer to your question? Contact us at ude.cmpu%40ofnimargorp and our admissions team will be happy to help.Tips To Help You Application Process:● Include an optional cover letter explaining your interest in Surgical Technology and the program● Professional letters of recommendation may be included with your application as attachments

  • What if I already have a Associate Degree or higher? Can I just get a Surgical Tech Certificate?

    You are able to enroll directly into the Surgical Tech Certificate program that begins in May 2023 providing you have had Medical Terminology, and A&P 1 & 2. If you have not taken those prerequisite courses, you can taken them at any school of your choice and use your tuition reimbursement benefits to cover those costs. Some schools such as CCAC have tuition advancement you may use. Search Tuition on the InfoNet. *We will need copies of your official college transcripts.*You also must be transfer eligible when the Surgical Tech portion starts in May of 2023 as defined above.

  • What if I cannot pass the prerequisite courses?

    The program is heavily based in sciences - and you will have all the support you need from tutoring to advising to help you succeed. If you find you are unable to pass the science courses, Carlow offers a variety of other majors, and you can transfer your credits to another institution.  

  • Act 34 criminal background check is required. If I have a conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor, am I automatically going to be rejected?

    No. If you have a conviction on your record, ensure that you disclose the offense and date so that it can be reviewed.

  • What if I am unable to meet one of the physical requirements, but the issue is only temporary?

    We would be glad to work with you. The concern regarding permanent conditions that do not meet the requirement. For example, if you had permanent nerve damage in your hand and are unable to hold things without dropping them. If you were to drop a surgical instrument you could harm yourself, other staff, or the patient. If you broke your leg while skiing, that is different than never being able to walk and stand freely. The requirement is also to be able to perform those functions with or without supports such as prosthetic limbs, glasses or contacts, and hearing aids that fully allow someone to perform the duties safely.

  • Can I Transfer Credits?

    Yes. Speak with a Carlow enrollment representative. As part of the enrollment process, a course evaluation will be performed to determine which credits you can transfer. Credit transfer is on a case-by-case basis.

  • I am a UPMC employee - Can I work my current job and qualify for tuition forgiveness?

    If you are currently employed by UPMC, you can qualify for tuition forgiveness without enrolling in the Work To Learn Flex Program - however, you will still be required to sign a work agreement AND you will need to ensure that your current work schedule is compatible for your class schedule. We recommend discussing with your current manager options for flexible scheduling if possible.

Application & Selection Process

Below is the overall application process. Applicants should frequently check the email provided on their application to be informed of next steps and to receive updates.

1

Application

Submit your initial application to Carlow University through the Carlow website here. It's free to apply.
You will need to provide at minimum copies of your high school transcripts and any transcripts from colleges you have attended. You should begin contacting your schools to find out how to obtain your transcripts as each school has different processes and options. Most schools today have the ability to send your transcripts electronically directly to Carlow.

1

FAFSA Application

The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid used to apply for Federal student loans and grants.  
You can submit this application prior to being accepted to expedite and ensure your aid is available for the start of classes. No aid is disbursed if you do not enroll or are not accepted.  
When submitting your FAFSA, you will need to put a school code in for Carlow University. The code is 003303 and can also be looked up.
You can transfer your application to another school at any time. 
Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more and submit your FAFSA.

2

Video Interview

Applicants that move forward will be invited to complete a video interview. During this step, you will be prompted to give recorded answers to 5-7 questions. You will need to use a device with a camera and may use a tablet, mobile phone, or computer. We understand nerves, and are only looking at your answers, not if you stumble or make mistakes in the process. View tips on video interviewing here.

3

OR Shadowing

The operating room environment is not for everyone. Prospective students should schedule an OR tour and surgical observation with our team or at your local facility. *You can do this before you apply.

4

Work To Learn Flex Interviews

If you are also applying for the Work To Learn Flex Apprenticeship Program, you will be contacted to schedule a formal interview.
You will receive an email from the UPMC School of Surgical Technology directly where you can self-schedule your interview. Interviews are conducted through Microsoft Teams and instructions will be sent with your confirmation email when you schedule. We are also happy to arrange in-person interviews if you prefer.

5

Decision Letters Sent

You will be notified via email if you are accepted, wait listed, or rejected. Acceptance is conditional upon qualifying for your FASFA award for students enrolling in Work To Learn Flex.

7

Student Orientation

New Student Orientation August 26thStudent orientation will be held at Carlow University on Saturday August 26th from 10 AM to 12:30 PM.
The last hour will be a special session specific to the surgical technology program.
New student orientation will set up for success for your first day of classes, walk you through campus resources and student services, getting around campus, and include fun events, swag, and more.

Video Interview Tips

The video interview is a one-way interview where you provide recorded responses to questions with 3 minutes to answer each question. ● Practice Question: You get a practice question to get the feel for it that is not seen by anyone.● You do not need to fill the entire time - sometimes less is more. If you feel good about your answer and there's time left, you can click stop and move to the next question.● No, you didn't blow it: You are able to redo a question multiple times if you mess up.

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  • Don't let the technology give you the jitters

    Especially if you've never done this before. We understand that technology can be awkward or make you nervous. Focus on what you're saying, not the technology. We aren't grading you on the jitters, so don't stress.

  • Be mindful of your environment before you begin

    Make sure you have a quiet place without noise and distractions. For example, your front porch if you live on a main road is likely not a good spot or starting two minutes before the kids come home from school.

  • You're applying to an academic program, be specific to that fact.

    This is your opportunity to drive why you deserve a seat in the program. "I like to learn, and I will study hard" are obviously behaviors we would like to see, but what do you like to learn? What does studying look like for you and what is your process to tackle complex subjects? Be as specific as possible to what the question is asking.

  • Watch the clock but don't stress over the clock

    Your answers are timed, which adds stress and pressure, but don't stress over the clock and focus on your answer. Some of our favorite responses from past candidates saw them run out of time, but what they said during the time was impactful.

  • Don't feel obligated to fill the entire 3 minutes

    You have 3 minutes, but you don't need to use the 3 minutes. Hit end and move to the next question if you feel good about your response. Awkwardly trying to fill the time can hinder and not help. It's not how long it takes you to say something, it's what you say.

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    Remember you still have an audience on the other end

    While it may feel like you're talking to yourself or your phone or you computer, remember you do have a human audience you are talking to you even if they aren't live with you in that moment. Keeping in mind that a human is listening to you at the end of the day and not an algorithm can be helpful to focus on. This is your chance to tell us about you.

  • You Can Redo An Answer

    Good news - if you flub your answer, you can redo the question.

Administration OfficeEnergy Innovations Center1435 Bedford AvenueSuite 201Pittsburgh, PA 15219

© 2023 UPMC School of Surgical Technology All rights reserved.

Careers Inclusion

Administration OfficeEnergy Innovations Center1435 Bedford AvenueSuite 201Pittsburgh, PA 15219

© 2023 UPMC School of Surgical Technology All rights reserved.

Careers Inclusion