Surgical Technology

Students receive a combination of classroom study, practice in the campus laboratory, and clinical practice experiences in the surgery department of local hospitals. New students are accepted only in the fall semester each year and conclude the following fall. No class or clinical components will be overlapping between the two.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National Surgical Technologists Certification Examination.

Employment Stats

  • Program Length 1357 hours (Diploma)
  • Job Placement 100%
  • Certification Pass Rate 94%
  • Average Earnings $42,720 / yr
  • Cost $5,299

About Program

Our program goal is to prepare competent entry-level surgical technologist in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and effective (behavior) learning domains. It is the mission of the program to provide technical instruction and skill development that will enable entry level students to become gainfully employed in the surgical technology field. Highly individualized instruction provides for both classroom instruction and practical work experiences which is gained through student clinical rotations.

Students completing the program are eligible to sit for the certification exam, which is recommended for one to work as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) in an operating room, GI Lab, labor and delivery suite, free standing surgery centers, physician’s private office surgery suites or in an instrument room of a surgical suite. The Surgical Technology Program is accredited through CAAHEP.

 

The Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
25400 U.S. Highway, 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
Phone: (727) 210-2350 / FAX: (727) 210-2354
Web address:  (WWW.CAAHEP.ORG)

 

Job Expectations

Surgical Technologists work in many different environments. Most, however, are employed in technical positions in various surgical settings. Hazardous materials may be encountered as part of the job, such as Latex, chemicals (polymethyl methacrylate), and body fluids such as blood. Students are taught to anticipate the needs of the surgeon based on his or her preference card and the utilization of specific instruments and equipment in order for the patient to have a successful and safe surgical procedure. During the Clinical time, students become knowledgeable of the instrument room as well as the policies and procedures of the sterilization/decontamination processing of instruments and equipment.

Expected Earnings

According to the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2014-2015 Occupational Outlook Handbook, there were approximately 99,800 surgical technologist jobs in the United States in 2014. Because of the increased number of expected surgeries, the number of jobs in surgical technology is expected to grow 15 percent through 2024.

The median annual income of these individuals in 2014 was $44,330.

Course Schedule

Students may apply for the program during the fall, spring or summer term. The class starts only once a year in August.

  • Full-time classes
  • Day classes only
  • Enrollment is limited to 24 students
Full-Time Program Schedule for Day Classes
Semester Day Class Clinical Days
Fall (487 hours) 7:45 am – 3:00 pm   Monday - Friday
Spring (487 hours) 7:45 am – 3:00 pm 6:30 am - 2:30 pm Monday - Friday
Summer (383 hours) 7:45 am – 3:00 pm 6:30 am - 2:30 pm Monday - Friday

Cost

3 semesters – 1,357 clock hours - Tuition will increase every fall semester
Fall 487 hours $1,383
Spring 487 hours $1,383
Summer 383 hours $1,383
Books (estimate) $525
Certification Exam $290

TCAT Special Fees

Charged in Addition to Maintenance and Tuition

  • Credit by Examination Fee - The regular course fee is charged for each special examination and must be paid prior to taking the examination. Non-refundable. (See Academic Regulations.)
  • Credit for Life Experience Fees - Assessment Fee for Experiential Learning $45.00.  Experiential Learning Credit $15.00 per credit hour in excess of 3.0 credit hours. $90.00 maximum.
  • High School Equivalency Test (Hi-SET) - $75
  • Placement Test Fees - ACT - $45.00. (Refer to Admissions Policy.)

Books

(Cost is approximately $400.00)

  • Fuller Surgical Technology Principles and Practice, 7th Ed.
  • Gylys/Wedding Medical terminology, 8th Ed.
  • Rutherford Differentiating Surgical Equipment and Supplies
  • Rutherford Equipment Packet
  • Thibodaux & Patton Structure and Function of the Body 15th Ed

Curriculum

First Semester

  • Anatomy and Physiology – ST 102
  • Introduction to Surgical Techniques – ST 100
  • Introduction to Surgical Technology – ST 104
  • Introduction to Surgical Procedures I – ST 105
  • Medical Terminology – ST 101

Second Semester

  • Surgical Procedures II – ST 120
  • Pharmacology – ST 121

Semester III

  • Surgical Procedures III – ST 130
  • Microbiology – ST 103