Workbook for Surgical Technology

Joanna Kotcher holds a Master's Degree in Global Health, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a BA in International Studies. She has coordinated emergency response in conflict environments for the past 18 years in such locations as Kosovo, Central Asia (Tajikistan), Afghanistan, Darfur, Gaza and the OPT, Somaliland, Syria, and Iraq. As a Medical/Surgical Coordinator Ms. Kotcher has coordinated and managed medical teams in the start-up and full implementation stages of projects that assist populations in need of emergency medical and surgical care during armed conflict. She has also coordinated post-conflict actions during the period immediately following official" cessation of armed conflict. Working in insecure environments, Ms. Kotcher has extensive experience in the design and implementation of medical/surgical actions, team building and support, implementation of standards and guidelines, medical and nursing staff training, and team mentoring. She continues to study and learn while working in the field and maintaining membership with notable professional organizations in the combined disciplines of humanitarian studies and medical/surgical assistance.

1. The Surgical Technologist 2. The Patient in Surgery 3. Death and Dying 4. Law and Ethics 5. Introduction to the Health Facility 6. Communication and Teamwork 7. Microbes and the Process of Infection 8. Decontamination, Sterilization, and Disinfection 9. Aseptic Technique 10. Transporting, Transferring and Positioning 11. Surgical Skin Preparation and Draping 12. Anesthesia, Anesthetics, and Physiological Monitoring 13. Postoperative Recovery and Patient Discharge 14. Perioperative Pharmacology 15. Environmental Hazards 16. Case Planning and Intraoperative Routines 17. The Surgical Wound 18. Biomechanics and Computer Technology 19. Energy Sources in Surgery 20. Diagnostic and Assessment Procedures 21. Minimally Invasive Endoscopic and Robotic-Assisted Surgery 22. Surgical Instruments 23. General Surgery 24. Gynecological and Obstetrical Surgery 25. Genitourinary Surgery 26. Ophthalmic Surgery 27. Surgery of the Ear, Nose, Pharynx, and Larynx 28. Oral-Maxillofacial Trauma Surgery 29. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 30. Orthopedic Surgery 31. Peripheral Vascular Surgery 32. Thoracic and Lung Surgery 33. Cardiac Surgery 34. Pediatric Surgery 35. Neurosurgery