Surgical Technology
The surgical technology diploma program at Piedmont Technical College provides a hands-on surgery lab and three semesters of clinical experience to enable students to gain essential surgical skills. Students who complete the program are eligible to take the National Board Surgical Technology & Surgical Assisting Certification Exam and upon passing would become certified surgical technologists.
A Career in Surgical Technology
The surgical technologist is the person who stands alongside the surgeon and passes the instruments and supplies during surgical procedures. Surgical technologists are key members of the operating team who work closely with surgeons, anesthesia personnel, RNs and other personnel to deliver patient care before, during and after surgery.
Special Application Requirements
The Surgical Technology program has 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 coursework.
What Will I Do as a Surgical Technologist?
Surgical technologists are allied health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients. Surgical technologists work under the supervision of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures, ensuring that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety.
Surgical technologists possess expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician’s
performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
Some Job Duties May Include:
- Prepare operating rooms for surgery
- Sterilize equipment and make sure that there are adequate supplies for surgery
- Prepare patients for surgery, such as washing and disinfecting incision sites
- Help surgeons and nurses during surgery by passing them instruments and other sterile supplies
Career Quick Facts
- Career Outlook
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- Median Salary Average: $38,790
- SC Salary Range: $29,050-$51,590
- 94% placement rate for 2017-2018 graduates
Salary and career information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Physical Demands
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- active: much standing, moving about, carrying, walking
- lifting up to 100 lbs.
- Entry Level Positions
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- Surgical Technologist
- Employers
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- Abbeville Area Medical Center
- Aiken Regional Medical Centers
- AnMed Health
- Carolina Vascular
- Consultants in Gastroenterology
- DHEC
- Dr. Camille L. Mason
- Duke University Hospital
- Georgia Health Sciences University (Georgia Regents University)
- Greenville Eyecare Associates
- Greenville Oral Surgery
- Greenwood Endoscopy Center
- Greenwood Eye Clinic
- Greenwood OB/GYN
- Greenwood Podiatric Medical Associates
- Greer Memorial Hospital
- Lakelands Orthopedic Clinic
- Laurens County Health Care System – (Now Prisma Health)
- Lexington Medical Center
- Mary Black Hospital
- Medical College of Georgia
- Montgomery Surgery & Laser
- Newberry County Memorial Hospital
- Newberry Dental Care
- Outpatient Surgery Center at Self Regional Healthcare
- Palmetto Gastroenterology and Hepatology, P.A.
- Pardee Hospital
- Peachtree Medical Center
- Piedmont Cardiology
- Piedmont Health Group
- Piedmont Physicians for Women
- Piedmont Plastic Surgery
- Providence Hospital
- Self Regional Healthcare
- Spartanburg Regional Medical Center
- St. Francis Health System
- St. Mary's Hospital
- Surgery & Laser Center
- Turning Point Women's Center
- University Hospital
- Western Carolina & Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, P.A.
Program Information
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 wellbeing of all patients undergoing a surgical procedure.
Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the National Association of Surgical Technologists certification exam and upon passing would become certified surgical technologists.
The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), (www.caahep.org) 25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33756 (727) 210-2350, upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) 6 W. Dry Creek Circle, Suite 110, Littleton, CO 80120, (303) 694-9262.
State Licensure Eligibility Information
Pass Rate
Graduates of the Surgical Technology program are awarded the credential of Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) upon the successful completion of National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Examination. The programs Pass Rate is:
- 2018 graduates: 16/17=94% pass rate
Surgical Technology Application Process
Surgical Technology is a limited enrollment program that has special admissions requirements. These requirements must be completed before you can be accepted.
If you are a new student, there are three key steps to complete before entering the Surgical Technology program:
- Step 1: Apply to the college and complete the enrollment process
- Step 2: Take the necessary courses to become Program-Ready
- Step 3: Apply to the program
Are You Program-Ready?
Before applying for program entry, be sure you meet the requirements for acceptance. Start by connecting with an advisor and review program requirements.
We've also provided the resources below to assist you with the program acceptance process.
- Surgical Technology Fact Sheet
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Fact Sheets are designed for students and advisors to review program-specific requirements and program application procedures. Please make an appointment with your advisor to discuss your academic goals and progress, and to develop your individualized degree plan.
- Application Worksheet
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The application worksheet is used to calculate points toward competitive program entry.
- Health Care Program Acceptance Data
- Graduation Plan
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Our semester-by-semester graduation plans will show you when required courses in your major are offered. Following this plan will help you stay on track and graduate on time.
Students in the Health Care Certificate that are focusing on Surgical Technology should consider the following coursework to complete the appropriate program-ready and general education coursework needed for Surgical Technology.
- Surgical Tech Handbook
- Health Care Division Handbook
- Health Care FAQ
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We strongly recommend that students review the Health Care Division FAQ to be fully aware of our program entry requirements.
- Guided Pathways
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Guided Pathways are designed to assist students in scheduling the order of courses to become program-ready or to complete the Health Care Certificate for their desired program.
College Prep Pathway
College Ready Pathway
Transitional Pathway
Apply to the Surgical Technology Program
Once you’ve taken the necessary steps to become program ready, it’s time to apply to the program.
Applications are accepted for the fall entry into the Surgical Technology program on the following schedule
- Application Dates - May 1-16
- Notification of Program Acceptance Emails Sent - Mid-June
Program applications must be submitted during the scheduled dates for this program to be considered.
Note: If you haven't already done so, you must apply to the college before completing the Surgical Technology program application.
* Students accepted into any Health Care program will be required to attend a program orientation. Accepted students will NOT be excused from attending this mandatory orientation.