Surgical Technology (AAS)

The Associates of Applied Science in Surgical Technology Program is designed to cover both the academic and clinical skills necessary to perform as a surgical technologist. The program begins fall semester of each year. Prerequisite courses, including Essential Learning courses, are completed in year one prior to admission to the professional portion (year two) of the program. The application process occurs in the second semester of the first year. Once accepted to the program, the second year prepares students to work as surgical technologists and assist in surgical operations.

Surgical technologists work as members of a healthcare team alongside surgeons, registered nurses, and other health care workers. They prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors during surgeries. Students are prepared to work in a variety of surgical settings. A surgical technologist’s responsibilities include preparing patients for surgery, washing and disinfecting incision sites, positioning patients on the operating table, covering patients with sterile drapes, and transporting patients to and from the operating room. Surgical technologists prepare sterile solutions and medications used in surgery and check that all surgical equipment is working properly. They help the surgical team put on sterile gowns and gloves. During operations, surgical technologists pass instruments and supplies to surgeons and first assistants. They hold retractors and may hold internal organs in place during procedures. Surgical technologists may handle specimens taken for laboratory analysis. Surgical technologists who take and pass the certifying examination offered by the NBSTSA (National Board for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting) are certified and authorized to use the initials CST to designate their status as Certified Surgical Technologists.