Surgical Technology, AAS

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will have the attitude, knowledge, and skills necessary to enter the profession of surgical technology. The specific goals are as follows:

• Consistently demonstrate the necessary training to assume responsibilities in the operating room, including aseptic technique, instrument setup, assisting the surgeon, anticipating the surgeon’s needs, and assisting with post-operative care.
• Correlate the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and microbiology with the role of a surgical technologist.
• Implement safe practice techniques in regards to perioperative routines, patient transportation, positioning, and emergency procedures.
• Integrate principles of surgical asepsis as part of the perioperative experience.
• Apply knowledge, skills, and demonstrate ability to perform as a surgical technologist in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.
• Provide to the community professional, competent, and knowledgeable individuals who can provide surgeons and the surgical team quality assistance as surgical technologists utilizing ethical standards and integrity.
• Display professionalism, be prepared to be a lifelong learner, and value the professional attributes of the surgical technologist.
• Possess the necessary didactic and clinical skills needed to pass the certification exam and enter into the job arena as a competent, entry-level surgical technologist.

Program Accreditation

The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709; Seminole, FL 33775  (www.caahep.org) upon recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC-STSA), 19751 East Mainstreet, Suite #339; Parker, CO 80138 (www.arcstsa.org).

Required Courses

Admission Guidelines

• Applications for formal acceptance into the Surgical Technology program are accepted once a year. Applications are available on the FVCC website or in the Surgical Technology Program Director’s office, BC 123-A. Applications must be submitted no later than November 1. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.
• In order to be considered for acceptance into the Surgical Technology program, the student must have
  • Completed or be currently enrolled in the required prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” (74%) or higher. A grade lower than 74% is not acceptable in the prerequisite courses;
  • Completed BIOH 201, BIOH 211 and BIOM 250 within five years of acceptance into the program. Individuals may request evaluation by the Surgical Technology Program Director for a possible exception to this policy. 
  • Been admitted to FVCC with all required records on file; and
  • Submitted a complete application on or before November 1.
• Students will be informed of their conditional admission status by December 15. Final acceptance will be contingent upon completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of ”C” (74%) or better and passing a criminal background check. 

Program Information

• This is a demanding program. Individuals will be required to actively participate in and subscribe to the legal and ethical standards of the discipline while enrolled as a student and as a graduate.

• Upon completion of the prerequisite courses, specific surgical technology (AHST) courses total three semesters. Surgical technology specific courses include both classroom (didactic) and hands-on (laboratory and clinical) training.

• This program has been designed in accordance with the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology, 7th edition and functions within the current standards and guidelines set forth by the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC-STSA), sponsored by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

• Once a student has applied and been accepted into the Surgical Technology program, each AHST course must be passed with a grade of “B-” or higher to continue in the program.

• Additional Costs: Students will be assessed course fees per semester for durable lab items, AST membership dues, miscellaneous clinical/lab program fees, and the NBSTSA certification exam. Students are also required to purchase surgical attire including scrubs, designated operating room shoes, and safety glasses. Costs associated with travel to various locations required for clinical rotations will also be incurred. 

• Students will be eligible to take the national certification exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) at the end of the program. Passing the national examination qualifies the individual as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST®). The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) recommends that all surgical technologists obtain this certification.

• Minimum program expectations: To prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

Opportunities after Graduation

• Most surgical technologists work full time. Surgical technologists employed in hospitals may work or be on call during nights, weekends, and holidays. They may also be required to work shifts lasting longer than eight hours.

• The largest employers of surgical technologists are as follows:        

Advising Information:

For more information about this program, contact an advisor.