Surgical Technology Overview
If you are a person who wants a valued and rewarding career in the medical field, and if you want to be part of the important and dynamic action in today's surgical operating room teams, then a career in Surgical Technology might be right for you.
Surgical Technologists are also known as scrubs or surgical or operating room technicians. They assist in surgical operations under the direction of surgeons, registered nurses, physician's assistants, or other surgical personnel. A surgical technologist, working with their team, would:
- Prepare the OR by setting up surgical instruments, sterile drapes, equipment and solutions; assemble both sterile and non-sterile equipment, and check equipment for proper functioning
- Prepare patients for surgery, transporting them to the OR room, positioning them on the operating table, and draping patients
- During operations, hold and pass instruments and sterile supplies to surgeons, and assist with the operating process by holding retractors, cutting sutures, counting sponges, needles and supplies
- Operate lights, suction machines, and diagnostic equipment used during procedures
Join a profession that makes a major contribution to the success and effectiveness of modern surgeries!
For more information about this program, please see the program description in the University Catalog. Surgical Technology Program Description
What You Can Learn in Surgical Technology
The program's objectives prepare students to demonstrate:
- Knowledge of surgical technology’s place in the modern health care delivery system
- Understanding of basic surgical anatomy and physiology in the operating room
- Names and uses of all basic and advanced surgical instrumentation, aseptic techniques and sterile barriers
- Knowledge of the flow of a surgical procedure from beginning to end
- Preparedness for Certified Surgical Technologist qualifying exam
Core courses include a foundation in anatomy and physiology, surgical terminology, surgical theory and technology, microbiology and surgical pharmacology.
Where You Can Go in Surgical Technology
- Hospital operating and delivery rooms
- Outpatient care centers
- Ambulatory surgical centers
- Dentists and physicians offices
Surgical Technologists are in demand; according to the US Department of Labor, jobs in this field are expected to grow much faster than average due to the increases in surgical procedures.1
1Source: Versus all occupations U.S. Dept. of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition
Degree Objectives
Program Purpose
The Surgical Technology program prepares a student for career as a surgical technologist. The technology courses give students additional skills to enhance their advancement in the surgical environment. The curriculum is also designed to prepare the student for the surgical technology national certifying examination which will be administered as part of the core curriculum.
Program objectives include:
Students who graduate from the Surgical Technology Program will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to assist with basic and advanced surgical procedures. Students will be able to perform in major operating rooms, minor surgery, surgi-centers, and surgeons' offices. Students will learn about basic surgical anatomy and physiology in the operating room, and they will know the names and uses of all basic and advanced surgical instrumentation. Students will learn about using aseptic technique and sterile barriers. They will be able to understand the flow of a surgical procedure from start to finish and will assure that there are accurate counts of all materials and instruments used in any surgical procedure.
Program Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED
- Admissions test with passing score
Other Requirements: Recommendation from Program Director
Recommendations: TEAS scores: Math greater than or equal to 60 and Reading greater than or equal to 85
Core Curriculum
| DEGREE | Associate of Applied Science |
|---|---|
| PROGRAM | Health Science |
| CONCENTRATION | Surgical Technology |
| SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS | 66 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG110 | English Composition | 3 | |
| BIO101 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 | |
| BIO201 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 | |
| MTH120 | College Mathematics | 3 | |
| HUM205 | Culture and Diversity | 3 | |
| PSY105 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| COR191 | Career Orientation | 1 | |
| FOR112 | College Orientation | 3 | |
| CSA128 | Computer Applications | 2 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MED104 | Medical Terminology | 3 | |
| SUR101 | Surgical Theory I | 3 | |
| SUR102 | Surgical Theory II | 3 | |
| SUR120 | Surgical Procedures I | 4 | |
| SUR121 | Surgical Procedures II | 4 | |
| SUR122 | Surgical Procedures III | 4 | |
| SUR123 | Surgical Procedures IV | 4 | |
| SUR270 | Surgical Technology Practicum I | 3 | |
| SUR270S | Practicum Seminar | 1 | |
| SUR271 | Surgical Technology Practicum II | 3 | |
| SUR271S | Practicum Seminar | 1 | |
| SUR272 | Surgical Technology Practicum III | 4 | |
| SUR272S | Practicum Seminar | 1 | |
| SUR285 | National Certification Exam Prep | 4 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
1The certifications listed in the "Potential Certifications" column are the actual certification exams that students may be prepared to take following achievement of student learning outcomes from a course or a set of courses. Some certifications may require additional outside preparation prior to taking the exams; and receipt of one or more certifications is not guaranteed. Students are strongly encouraged to take all appropriate certification examinations for their program of study. To facilitate student access to the certifications, ECPI offers its students access to the certification exams at a significant discount. Some programs may require the student to obtain one or more certifications as part of the curriculum.
Future Possible Careers For This Program
| 51.0909 | Surgical Technology/Technologist | |
|---|---|---|
| 29-2055.00 | Surgical Technologists | |
Success
Time frame: July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 Award Year 2011-12
Q
How long will it take to complete this program?
A
The program is designed to take 16 months to complete.
12% of graduates from this program finish in this time.
The median time for graduates to complete this program is 17 months.
Q
What percentage of students that graduated got jobs?
A
The following are the employment rates as reported to the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) for the 2009-2010 period.
- Northern Virginia, VA - 67%
- Richmond, VA Moorefield - 67%
Cost
Q
What is the total cost of this program for me?
A
At ECPI University, programs are competitively priced and are designed to help you achieve your goals. Through our year-round schedule, you could earn your Associate's in 1.5 years. That can give you the edge over students at other colleges who might still be attending class.
| Program Cost/Tuition Chart | |
|---|---|
| Books & Supplies | $1,234.00 |
| Tuition and Fees | $31,605.00 |
| Total Tuition | $32,839.00 |
Foundation course requirements can result in additional costs and increase the time to graduation. Actual cost may vary depending on actual time to graduate, and subject to any necessary tuition increases. (for all programs and schools)
Financing
Time frame: July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 Award Year 2011-12.
Q
What are my financing options to pay for the program?
A
In addition to any grant and scholarship aid for which they are eligible, graduates used loans to finance their education. The median debt for program graduates is:
| Loan Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal Median Loans | $18,485.00 |
| Private Median Loans | $0.00 |
| Institutional Median Loans | $0.00 |
