The Surgical Technology degree program prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in the surgical field. The surgical technology degree program provides learning opportunities which introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and technical knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. In addition, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in surgical technology. Graduates of the program receive a surgical technology associate of applied science degree and are qualified for employment as surgical technologists as well as eligible to sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
Certified Surgical Technology Exam
The Certified Surgical Technology exam will be administered as a web-based test to eligible program completers up to 30 days after program completion. Complete graduating groups must participate; individual and/or partial candidate groups are not permitted to sit for the exam. Surgical Technology program director/faculty will submit all appropriate documents to the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting to establish eligibility for the graduate candidate to sit for the CST practice exam offered on the NBSTSA website.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Surgical Technology program are prepared for employment in hospitals and other institutions with operating room, delivery room, and/or emergency room facilities, including government agencies such as Veterans Administration Medical Centers and the Armed Forces. Graduates may also seek employment in instrument and equipment sales; ambulatory surgical centers and outpatient care centers.
Accreditation
The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC/STSA, www.arcstsa.org). CAAHEP may be contacted at 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, Phone 727.210.2350.
Admissions Criteria
| Test |
Reading |
Writing |
Numerical |
Algebra |
| Accuplacer |
64 |
70 |
NA |
57 |
| Accuplacer (Next Gen) |
236 |
249 |
NA |
245 |
| Compass |
79 |
62 |
NA |
37 |
| SAT |
17 |
17 |
NA |
21 |
| SAT |
290 |
290 |
NA |
380 |
| ACT |
16 |
14 |
NA |
17 |
| ASSET |
42 |
41 |
39 |
42 |
| PSAT |
17 |
17 |
NA |
21 |
| GED |
NA |
145 |
NA |
145 |
Readmission Requirements
A student who left the College in good standing may apply for readmission as early as the next academic term. Students who have been suspended because of unsatisfactory academic progress may be readmitted after one term of absence from the College.
A student suspended for disciplinary reasons may be considered for readmission at the end of the suspension by making an appointment with the Vice President for Student Affairs.
Readmission to a program will be granted on a space-available basis within the appropriate course sequence. Students seeking readmission must be readmitted to the program within 12 months of the last successfully completed semester and will be required to complete the curriculum requirements in place at the time of re-enrollment.
Readmission to Competitive Admission Programs
A student who voluntarily leaves or is dropped from a competitive admission program due to academic reasons, attendance, or having received a grade less than “C” in any program course will be limited to a one-time re-entry into the program.
A student seeking readmission to a competitive admission program must understand that readmission is granted on a competitive and space available basis, based on the program’s admission criteria, accreditation agency requirements, and clinical capacity. The student must meet current program admission requirements at the time of the readmission request.
A student who voluntarily leaves or is dismissed from a competitive admission program during the first semester of program classes must re-enter the competitive admissions process in order to be re-admitted.
A student who successfully completed at least one term of program classes must follow the steps below to request re-admission to the program:
- Submit a letter requesting readmission to the Director for Admissions.
- Upon approval from the Director for Admissions and confirmation that there is space available in the class, the student must demonstrate retention of materials/information taught in the last successfully completed semester.
- The student will take a written examination covering materials taught in previously taken coursework. The student must make a grade of 75 or better.
- The student will take skills tests covering competencies in the procedures learned in previously taken coursework. The student must make an 85 or better on the skills test. The number of skills tests will be determined by each Program Director.
Clinical Education
Number of Clinical Sites: 10
General Location of the Clinical Sites: Bulloch, Candler, Chatham, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Laurens, Toombs, Tattnall, and Liberty Counties
Clinical Education Courses
The Surgical Technology clinicals provide students with an opportunity for in-depth application and reinforcement of principles and techniques in a hospital and ambulatory surgery centers. The clinicals allow the student to become involved in a professional work situation applying technical skills.
The surgical technology clinical courses require that the students spend a total of 525 hours in a supervised work setting and obtain 120 surgical cases. Students may not receive pay from the clinical site for clinical hours. Students are evaluated by the clinical site preceptor and the program faculty.
Clinical Assignments
Clinical times may range from 6:00-3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday clinical sites are selected by the program faculty. Students are responsible for having reliable transportation to the site. Students rotate through all clinical facilities.
Special Requirements of the Clinical Sites
- Fingerprinting;
- Individual hospital orientations;
- Criminal Background Check;
- Forensic Drug Panel (7);
- Student activities associated with the curriculum, especially while students are completing his/her clinical rotations, will be educational in nature. Students will not receive monetary re-numeration during this educational experience, nor will students be substituted for hired staff personnel within the clinical institution in the capacity of Surgical Technologists.
- Conviction of a felony or gross misdemeanor may prohibit employment in the field and may make a student ineligible to take licensing/certification exams required for the profession.
- Current CPR Certification. Student must maintain current CPR certification throughout the program;
- Immunization records with current 2 step PPD
Surgical Technology Degree Curriculum
The curriculum for the Surgical Technology degree program is designed for the semester system. A student may enter the program any term. Students must earn a minimum of 70 semester credit hours for completion. The program requires a minimum of 1665 contact hours and generally takes 6 terms to complete.
Program Courses
General Education Core (15 Credits)
Area I – Language Arts/Communication (3 Credits)
Area II – Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 Credits)
Select one
Area III – Natural Sciences/Mathematics (3 Credits)
Select one
Area IV – Humanities/Fine Arts (3 Credits)
Select one
Program-Specific Requirements (3 Credits)
| General Education Core Elective | |
Non-General Education Degree Courses (14 Credits)
Occupational Courses (41 Credits)
NOTE: “C” or higher grade is required for all the above courses.
Program Costs
Tuition/Fees: $7,370
Supplies: $2,500
Uniform Costs: Approximately $250
Liability Insurance: $10 per fiscal year
Certification Exam: $190 for AST member, $290 for non-AST member
NBSTSA App: $40
AST Membership: $45
Study Guide: $45
Physical Exam: $150
TB Test: $40
2 Step PPD Test: $40
Hepatitis B Series: $265
Drug Screening: $30
Criminal Background Check: $39-$80
Dosimeter: $45 per year (pregnant students will require 2 badges)
Course supply fee: SURG 2240 Seminar in Surgical Technology – $190
(Costs are estimates and are subject to change)