Surgical Technology

Surgical technician students in surgery similuationsAssociate Degree

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**Due to high demand, enrollment is limited. Please consult your academic advisor for next available seating in this program and other possible opportunities.**

***Effective Fall 2026, MAT 155 Contemporary Mathematics will be the required Math course for the Surgical Technology Program. Please contact your Surgical Technology Academic Advisor for questions or concerns.***

The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

The goal of this program is “To prepare entry-level surgical technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.”

The student will develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to practice as a certified surgical technologist by acquiring fundamental capabilities. Upon completion of the program the graduate surgical technologist shall:

  • Assimilate knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology and pharmacology into clinical practice as an entry-level surgical technologist. (Cognitive)
  • Demonstrate competency in surgical aseptic techniques and clinical judgement in the perioperative setting. (Psychomotor)
  • Apply best practice regarding patient safety during perioperative routines, patient transportation, positioning and emergency procedures. (Psychomotor)
  • Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of standards of practice in the use of medications and anesthetic agents during perioperative experiences. (Psychomotor)
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills essential to work collaboratively with the surgical team and interact professionally with patients. (Psychomotor)
  • Possess the knowledge and skills required to successfully pass the NBSTSA National Certification Exam. (Affective)
  • Perform competently as an entry-level surgical technologist in the cognitive, psychomotor and affective learning domains. (Affective)
Program Outcomes 2025 2026 2027
NBSTSA First-Time Pass Rate 80% 71.4% %
NBSTSA Ultimate Pass Rate 90% 85.7% %
Graduation Rate 59% 58% %
Employment Rate 100% 71.4% %

Students enrolled in the Surgical Technology program must meet essential technical standards to successfully complete all phases of the program and meet industry expectations. To ensure readiness, students may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform these essential functions:

Critical Thinking Skills
Standards:
  • Use of judgment and problem-solving
  • Ability to prioritize responses and interventions in emergency situations
  • Application of ethical standards
Example:
  • Performing closing counts while prioritizing sterile team members’ request
Mobility/Motor Skills
Standards:
  • Ability to perform functions such as standing for prolonged periods of time (4 to 6 hours) while navigating surgical field environment.
  • Ability to stand in one confined area for extensive periods (excess of 4 to 6 hours)
  • Ability to lift instrument trays up to 25 pounds. Ability to push and manipulate large, heavy equipment (over 100 pounds)
Example:
  • Lengthy procedures that often require abstinence from nourishment and restroom breaks while standing in one confined area
  • Lifting heavy instrument caskets
  • Moving equipment Transferring patients from stretcher to Operating Room (OR) bed and back
Tactile Skills
Standards:
  • Fine and gross motor skills and the ability to perform multiple motor tasks simultaneously.
  • Manual dexterity to retrieve requests supplies or instruments and pass them quickly and smoothly to the team members
Example:
  • Passing instruments to multiple sterile personnel while holding retractor(s)
  • Passing instrumentation and supplies to sterile team members
Auditory Skills
Standards:
  • Ability to hear and understand muffled communication without visualization of the communicator’s mouth/lips
Visual Skills
Standards:
  • Visual ability to have peripheral and depth perception and ability to distinguish shades of color
  • Visual ability to see 20/20 or better with or without use of corrective lenses/glasses
  • Visual ability to recognize hand signals
Example:
  • Visualizing hair-thin suture and micro-needles to maintain correct counts during procedure
  • Visualizing hand signals during surgery
Communication Skills
Standards:
  • Comprehensive understanding of spoken and written English language to include complex medical terminology, the ability to read medication/prescription labels, directions for dosage and use in an accurate and expedient manner
  • Ability to verbally and in writing report client data to the healthcare team, requires reading and writing on charts
Example:
  • Reading and creating medication labels Communication with fellow team members
Interpersonal Skills
Standards:
  • Ability to work with others in a variety of settings and situations
  • Maintaining hygiene and dress or uniform requirements
  • Ability to listen to others and determine their wants and needs and respond quickly
Behavioral Skills
Standards:
  • Ability to adapt to changing environments and work related challenges while maintaining composure in stressful situations
  • Ability to maintain utmost integrity and aseptic technique
Example:
  • Surgical conscience

COVID-19 vaccines as well as other vaccines/immunizations/titers may be required for some health sciences programs in order to attend clinicals. Should immunizations and titers be required by a clinical affiliate and the student refuses to obtain the vaccines/immunizations/titers, this may impact the student’s ability to be assigned to certain clinical rotations, which may in turn impact the student’s ability to continue in the program.