Surgical Technology
Surgical technologists are allied health professionals who are an integral part of a team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings.
Associate of Applied Science
This two-year program prepares students for entry-level positions as a surgical technologist. Students learn aseptic technique, instrumentation, surgical procedures and patient care through classroom, laboratory practice and supervised practicum in area clinical agencies. Students learn to assist the surgeon by passing instruments and sutures, holding retractors and cutting sutures. Individuals interested in the program should be able to work well with others in a team environment, and function effectively under intense and stressful situations.
Surgical technologists are integral members of the surgical team who work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses and other surgical personnel-delivering patient care before, during and after surgery. Scrub, circulating and second assisting surgical technologists have primary responsibility for maintaining the sterile field, being constantly vigilant that all members of the team adhere to aseptic technique. It is recognized that not all surgical technology practitioners fill the roles of circulator and second assistant. It is imperative, however, that the surgical technology student be educated in all aspects of surgical technology, identified by the following duties and the curriculum content section.
Eligibility for graduation is dependent upon the completion of the minimum caseload of 120 cases within the time frame of ST 112-212. Caseload requirements are followed according to the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technologist, sixth edition.
Upon completion of the Surgical Technology program, graduates will have met the academic and clinical requirements to take the National Certifying Examination for Surgical Technologists offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
Example Curriculum Plan
First Year Summer Semester
GOVT 100 Government and Politics in the United States (3)
BI 151 Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab (4)
ENG 099 Writing Skills (0) if needed
First Year Fall Semester
FYS 101 College Seminar (1)
BI 152 Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab (4)
AH 201 Human Diversity in Healthcare Delivery (1)
AH 230 Medical Ethics (3)
COM 100 Oral Communications (3)
First Year Spring 1 (16 Weeks)
AH 104 Introduction to Medical Terminology (1)
AH 204 Medical Terminology II (2)
BI 200 Microbiology (3)
ENG 100 English Composition (3)
BI250 Pathophysiology (3)
Second Year Summer 2 (8 Weeks)
No required classes
Second Year Fall 2 (16 Weeks)
ST 110 Fundamentals of Surgical Care I and Lab (7)
ST 112 Fundamentals of Surgical Care II and Lab (8)
Second Year Spring 2 (16 Weeks)
ST 210 Surgical Technology I and Clinical (9)
ST 212 Surgical Technology II and Clinical (9)
Total Semester Hours Required: 64
General Education (31)
Surgical Technology (33)
Direct admission (students with less than 25 hours of college credit):
- Cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Cumulative college GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (if applicable)
- Minimum ACT composite score of 21 or SAT score of 1060 (if 22 or younger)
OR
minimum ATI TEAS score of 58.7% (if 23 or older)
Transfer admission (students with 25 or more hours of completed college credit):
- Cumulative college GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Minimum ATI TEAS score of 58.7%
- To apply general principles of biologic sciences, pharmacology and biomedical technology in the field of surgical technology (Cognitive)
- Meet performance standards that are needed to respond to the surgical patient needs in the perioperative setting (Psychomotor)
- Internalize an appreciation for maintaining a "surgical conscience" (Values) and accountability for personal actions (Affective)
- Assume responsibility as a member of the profession of surgical technology through maintenance of standards of practice, professional ethics and ongoing self-evaluation (Affective)
- Integrate complex concepts from the broad surgical technology academic curriculum to pass the NBSTSA certification exam (Cognitive)
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 5-year average | |
| Employment Rate | 100% | 87% | 100% | 87% | 100% | 94.8% |
| Completion Rate | 40% | 88% | 60% | 80% | 55% | 64.6% |
| Lic/Cert Pass Rate | 100% | 75% | 33% | 85% | 60% | 70.6% |