Surgical Technology Program
Surgical technologists are skilled professionals qualified by education to assist in operations under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses and/or other surgical personnel.
Surgical technologists help set up operating rooms with sterile equipment and assemble, adjust, and check nonsterile equipment. They pass instruments and sterile supplies to the surgeon, may hold retractors, cut sutures, and count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments as well as clean and restock the operating room.
Surgical technologists typically work in hospitals and outpatient centers and may also work as medical sales representatives.
What They Do
Surgical technologists are skilled professionals qualified by education to assist in operations under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses and/or other surgical personnel.
Surgical technologists help set up operating rooms with sterile equipment and assemble, adjust, and check nonsterile equipment. They pass instruments and sterile supplies to the surgeon, may hold retractors, cut sutures, and count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments as well as clean and restock the operating room.
Surgical technologists typically work in hospitals and outpatient centers and may also work as medical sales representatives.
Duration of Education
11 months; full-time days, typical hours 7 am – 3:30 pm
Key Dates
- Application deadline: April 21, 2023
- Program start date: July 31, 2023
Cost
$4,200 plus books/uniforms/fees
This program is not eligible for FAFSA funding.
Certificate or Degree?
Certificate
Outcomes Assessment
The national Certified Surgical Technologist (CST™) exam pass rate results for the class graduating in the academic year:
- Aug. 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019 was 100 percent
- Aug. 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020 was 92 percent
- Aug. 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021 was 100 percent
- Aug. 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022 was 100 percent
Prerequisites
- Be at least 18 years of age by the start of the program
- High school diploma or GED
- You must be a United States Citizen or possess a permanent resident card, commonly called a green card in the United States.
Summary/Course of Study
- First semester (orientation and core curriculum): medical terminology, anatomy/physiology, introduction to patient care, surgical applications and surgical instrumentation.
- Second and third semesters (Level I and Level II): surgical instrumentation, surgical techniques, surgical procedures, clinical experience, clinical practicum, surgical techniques lab, and professional growth and development.
Technical Standards
- Read, write, understand and verbally communicate in fluent English (includes questioning patients, relaying information to others and receiving information)
- Stand, walk or sit for up to eight hours a day, five days a week
- Carry, reach, stoop and lift up to 50 pounds
- Have sufficient manual dexterity (using forceps to move an object, handling needles and syringes, etc.)
- Have a visual acuity (either on your own or with corrective lenses) that enables you to read information printed on medication labels
- Have enough color vision to recognize differences in colors of solutions and sutures
- Have an auditory acuity (either on your own or with auditory aids) that allows you to understand a normal speaking voice without seeing the speaker's face
Program Details
Duration of Education
11 months; full-time days, typical hours 7 am – 3:30 pm
Key Dates
- Application deadline: April 21, 2023
- Program start date: July 31, 2023
Cost
$4,200 plus books/uniforms/fees
This program is not eligible for FAFSA funding.
Certificate or Degree?
Certificate
Outcomes Assessment
The national Certified Surgical Technologist (CST™) exam pass rate results for the class graduating in the academic year:
- Aug. 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019 was 100 percent
- Aug. 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020 was 92 percent
- Aug. 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021 was 100 percent
- Aug. 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022 was 100 percent
Prerequisites
- Be at least 18 years of age by the start of the program
- High school diploma or GED
- You must be a United States Citizen or possess a permanent resident card, commonly called a green card in the United States.
Summary/Course of Study
- First semester (orientation and core curriculum): medical terminology, anatomy/physiology, introduction to patient care, surgical applications and surgical instrumentation.
- Second and third semesters (Level I and Level II): surgical instrumentation, surgical techniques, surgical procedures, clinical experience, clinical practicum, surgical techniques lab, and professional growth and development.
Technical Standards
- Read, write, understand and verbally communicate in fluent English (includes questioning patients, relaying information to others and receiving information)
- Stand, walk or sit for up to eight hours a day, five days a week
- Carry, reach, stoop and lift up to 50 pounds
- Have sufficient manual dexterity (using forceps to move an object, handling needles and syringes, etc.)
- Have a visual acuity (either on your own or with corrective lenses) that enables you to read information printed on medication labels
- Have enough color vision to recognize differences in colors of solutions and sutures
- Have an auditory acuity (either on your own or with auditory aids) that allows you to understand a normal speaking voice without seeing the speaker's face