Surgical Technology Diploma and Degree

Degree and Diploma: Surgical Technology is offered as an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program and as a diploma program.

Diploma Program: To be an integral part of a surgical team, you are required to have a diploma in Surgical Technology.

Surgical technologists help prepare for surgery, assist during surgery, and clean and stock operating rooms after surgery. Before surgery, they assist in setting up the operating rooms with equipment and sterile instruments. During surgery, they are responsible for maintaining a sterile field. Surgical technologists are key to a smoothly running operating room: anticipating the needs of surgeons, passing instruments, sutures, and sponges, and providing other sterile items.

As directed by surgeons, surgical technologists may sponge or suction the operative site, hold retractors, and cut sutures. They also operate various types of equipment such as autoclaves, suction devices, microscopes, light sources, insufflators, and electrosurgical units. They help collect and handle specimens and help apply dressings.

The program provides extensive clinical experience in area hospitals where you are supervised by Columbus Technical College healthcare professionals and hospital personnel.

As a graduate, you qualify for employment in hospitals, private physicians’ offices, and clinics, as well as in these same areas in the armed forces.

This program prepares you to sit for the national certification examination. Clinical instruction stresses manual dexterity in the use of surgical instruments, the application of aseptic techniques, and safe patient care.

Degree Program: You can be an integral part of a team of medical practitioners that provide surgical care. Those with an associate degree have job opportunities in a variety of settings: operating rooms, ambulatory surgical centers, central supply, labor and delivery areas, cardiac catheterization laboratories, private physicians’ offices, dental surgery, organ-procurement organizations, and other facilities where invasive procedures are performed. You will have the advantage of training by the College’s experienced staff and practicing in clinical settings because of the College’s relationship with area hospitals.

This program prepares you to sit for the national certification examination. The correlated clinical instruction stresses manual dexterity in using surgical instruments, the application of aseptic technique, and safe patient care with emphasis on medical ethics and legal considerations.

Career Information and Occupational Outlook:

• Surgical Technologists: O*Net
• Surgical Technologists: Occupational Outlook Handbook

Length of Program:

• Diploma is 87 Credit hours
• Degree is 109 Credit hours

Program Admission Requirements:

1. Present official documentation of an earned high school diploma or official GED Scores.
2. Be at least 17 years old.
3. Present appropriate test scores, or present an official transcript documenting college-level English and mathematics with grades of “C” or better.
4. Submit the Letter of Intent form, Level I background check and Personal Data form by August 1st for fall quarter admission or by February 1st for spring quarter admission.
5. Completion of Physical Exam form and Immunization form required before beginning SUR 102 and SUR 112.
6. No special admission allowed in the program.

Estimated Cost:

All costs are estimated and subject to change without notice. Tuition, fees and books are not included.

Degree Program Sequence

* Indicates courses ranked for admission

Completion of Work Ready Assessment

Diploma Program Sequence

* Indicates courses ranked for admission

Completion of Work Ready Assessment

Last updated: October 6, 2008.

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