Surgical Technology

A Career in Surgical Technology

Surgical technologists are members of the operating team who work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, RN’s 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.

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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

• Median Salary Average: $46,010
• SC Salary Range: $36,620-$58,460
• 88% placement rate for 2020-2021 graduates

Salary and career information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Physical Demands

• active: much standing, moving about, carrying, walking
• lifting up to 100 lbs.

Entry Level Positions

• Surgical Technologist

Employers

• 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.

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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). 

State Licensure Eligibility Information