Piedmont Technical College

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Surgical technologists are members of the operating team who work closely with surgeons, anaesthesiologists, RN's and other personnel to deliver patient care before, during and after surgery. Surgical technologists may earn professional credentials by passing a certifying exam. If successful, they are granted the designation of Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

Graduates of the program have an opportunity to pursue an Associate Degree in Occupational Technology with a major in General Technology.

The primary responsibility of surgical technologists is to maintain a sterile field by adhering to aseptic practice during a procedure. Through clinical and didactic instruction they learn to pass instruments, sutures and supplies during a procedure. They are taught to ensure the safety and well being of all patients undergoing a surgical procedure.

The surgical suite is a dynamic and exciting place to work, but at times surgical technologists may be exposed to communicable diseases and certain unpleasant sights and sounds.

Employment opportunities are endless. With such a diverse educational background, jobs may be found in operating rooms, labor and delivery, central sterile processing, surgical assisting and emergency departments. Surgical technologists may elect to join organ procurement teams,
medical sales, cardiac cath labs or product research.

The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (http://www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST) (http://www.arcst.org). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs: 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, Florida, (727) 210-2350.

Admission: Health Science programs have special program admission criteria which must be completed prior to applying for the clinical phase of the program. A student may be admitted to the college at any time in order to complete prerequisite and general education course work. For more detailed information, please go to the Health Science and Nursing Resources.

Program Location: Greenwood

Contact Information: Susan Kinney

Required Courses

View Surgical Technology Course Descriptions >>

Day Program

* Major Studies Courses: Completion of the Diploma in Applied Science with a major in Surgical Technology requires three (3) semesters upon acceptance to the major studies course work.

Updated 4/18/2012

Advisement Information

• Completion of the SUR program requires three semesters once accepted into the program. Twenty students are accepted each year to begin SUR clinical courses in the fall semester.

• SUR courses are offered in the day only at the Lex Walters Campus, Greenwood. Fall semester is classroom only. Spring and summer semesters consist of classroom and clinical experiences. Students need reliable transportation to clinical sites in Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens and Newberry counties. Clinicals begin during the spring semester and may begin as early as 6:15 a.m. Some second shift rotations may be required.

• Students in the Surgical Technology program are required to complete 125 scrub cases in order to satisfy graduation requirements.

• All students receiving a Surgical Technology diploma must obtain their certification within 90 days of graduating. Prior to this legislation, surgical technologists could seek certification, but it was not a requirement.

• Requirements for Clinical Entry: To be eligible to apply for clinical entry, student must have successful completion of English Composition I (ENG 101), Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO 210), Medical Terminology (AHS 102), and Elementary Algebra (MAT 152) with a 2.5 GPA or better. Students may exempt out of MAT 152 with appropriate math placement test scores. Anatomy and Physiology II (BIO 211) should be completed before clinical entry. The biology courses may be repeated only once to achieve a grade of "C" or better.

• College placement test scores may indicate a student's need for developmental or prerequisite courses prior to higher level college courses. These courses should be completed before progression into required Program-Ready courses. Strong background in science and math is recommended. It is also highly recommended that students take Ethics and Law for Health Professionals (AHS 205) while taking Program-Ready and General Education courses.

• A minimum 2.0 GPA is required for progression once in the clinical stage of the program. Students in the clinical program will only have one opportunity to repeat a failed or withdrawn semester. Two failed or withdrawn semesters will make the student ineligible to continue in the clinical program.

• Physical and Mental Standards: It is recommended that students explore their reaction to all kinds of body fluids, unpleasant odors, and dangerous/contagious diseases. Students must be in adequate physical and mental condition to participate and function within the program and clinical environment. Read the Physical and Mental Standards chart for more information.

• Background Check and Drug Screening: Students are required to have an initial criminal background check and drug screening upon acceptance into the clinical phase of the program. This cost is borne to the student and is currently $80.85. A positive report on either may prevent the student from being accepted by a clinical facility which will not allow the student to progress in the program or take the licensure exam. Additional drug screenings will occur throughout the clinical program as requested by the clinical facility. The cost of these screenings will also be borne to the student.

• Health Requirements and Immunizations: Students accepted into the clinical courses will be required to provide written documentation to the Health Records Assistant of the following: physical exam completed within one year; two-step Tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) upon admission, then an annual one-step TST thereafter; two Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) and Varicella immunizations or positive titers; three Hepatitis B immunizations or a positive titer; Tetanus vaccine within the last 10 years; annual Influenza vaccine recommended.

• CPR and Hospital Orientation: All students will be required to have CPR certification by the date of their first clinical. All accepted students will have the opportunity to take CPR training (AHS 106) and receive proper certification determined by the program coordinator. Students that plan to seek certification outside of the college must have Healthcare Provider training through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. A copy of certification must be submitted to the department's Health Records Assistant. Yearly attendance at the Hospital Orientation presented on campus is mandatory.

• Program Costs: In addition to tuition, fees, and books, other costs may include but are not limited to equipment for first semester ($15), uniforms for second semester ($150-200), insurance ($35), a physical examination and immunizations ($300), dues to the Association of Surgical Technologists ($45), the fee for the Surgical Technology Self-Assessment Exam ($35), the Program Assessment Exam ($35), and the National Board Surgical Technology & Surgical Assisting Certification Examination (NBSTSA, $190). Dollar amounts are estimates.

• To earn an Associate in Occupational Technology, Major in General Technology, electives in Surgical Technology, graduates must complete the following courses:

General Education (Minimum 15 SHC):
ENG 101, MAT 102, PSY 201, Natural Science/math elective, Humanities/Fine Arts elective, and CPT 101.
Required Core Subject Courses (Minimum 40 SHC)
MGT 150, MGT 201, AHS 205, MKT 135, ACC 101, and PSY 203
Other Hours for Graduation (5-25 SHC)

Advisement Information updated 3/12/2012