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Surgical Technology, AAS

Surgical technologists are allied health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings. The surgical technologist works under medical supervision to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures. This individual works under the supervision of a surgeon to ensure that the operating room or environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. A surgical technologist possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

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.

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Requirements & Courses

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Accreditation Outcomes

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Admission Guidelines

Applications for formal acceptance into the Surgical Technology Program are accepted once a year. Applications are available at the top of this page, 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:

Hospitals: state, local, and private	71%
Outpatient care centers; ambulatory surgical centers	12%
Offices of physicians	12%
Administrative and support services	2%
Offices of dentists	1%

Accreditation

The Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) (arcstsa.org).

CAAHEP (caahep.org)
9355 – 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, Florida, 33775
P: (727) 210‐2350
F: 727-210-2354
E: mail@caahep.org

ARC/STSA (arcstsa.org)
19751 East Mainstreet, Suite #339, Parker, Colorado, 80138
(303) 694-9262
info@arcstsa.org

Program Outcomes

ARC/STSA establishes minimum thresholds for various program outcomes to ensure quality and compliance with their standards. These thresholds are crucial for maintaining accreditation and are used to assess program performance and ensure that graduates are well-prepared for their roles in the surgical field. The FVCC Surgical Technology Program 5-year trend is 93% Retention Rate, and 92% CST Exam Pass Rate.

Students who complete the Surgical Technology Program are eligible to take the Certified Surgical Technologist exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Program administrators at FVCC assist students in the application process and arrange for prospective graduates to take the exam on campus during the final week of the program. Upon passing the exam, the graduate is qualified to seek employment as a CST working in hospitals, day surgery facilities, or with surgeons in their practices.

TRENDS DATA FOR RETENTION RATE AND CST EXAM PASS RATE

Graduation Year	Students Initially Enrolled	Students Graduated	Retention Rate	# of Students Attempting CST Exam	# of Students Passing CST Exam	Pass Rate
2025	4	4	100%	4	4	100%
2024	3	3	100%	3	2	67%
2023	4	3	75%	3	3	100%
2022	12	11	92%	11	10	91%
2021	5	5	100%	5	5	100%