Surgical Technology, Associate of Applied Science Degree

Overview

Offered at the Piedmont Summerville Site.

Admission: Surgical Technology is a competitive program. Students who meet the College admission criteria are eligible to enroll at the College to take prerequisite courses for this program. Prerequisite courses (ENGL 1101, MATH 1101 or MATH 1111, PSYC 1101, ALHS 1090, BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L, BIOL 2114, BIOL 2114L, BIOL 2117, BIOL 2117L, PSYC 2103 and one Humanities/Fine Arts Area IV) must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale by the designated deadlines to be evaluated for program admission. Students are REQUIRED to attend an informational session during the ranking cycle prior to consideration for acceptance into competitive admission programs.  Instructors will hold recruitment fairs/informational sessions on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle, January - May.

The academic ranking order for admission to the program is determined using the most recent grade for MATH 1101 OR MATH 1111, BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L, BIOL 2114 and BIOL 2114L. Students can retake a class to earn a higher grade. Students who are not selected for admission may consider another program or resubmit an admission application and a new Competitive Ranking Application by the next ranking cycle deadline.  High school graduation or GED is required for admission to this program. The minimum age requirement is 17, however all clinical facilities requires that a student be 18 before starting the clinical portion of the program. For more information regarding this process, please contact the Admissions Office at (706) 771-4028. Refer to program related deadlines.

Program Description: The surgical technology program prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in the surgical field. The surgical technology program provides learning opportunities which introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and technical knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. In addition, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in surgical technology. Graduates of the program receive a surgical technology degree and are qualified for employment as surgical technologists. 

Employment Opportunities: Surgical technologist are in demand for employment in hospitals, operating rooms, physicians’ offices, emergency rooms, ambulatory day surgery centers, central sterile processing departments, managerial roles, and more.

Credentialing (Required):  As a requirement for graduation, each student must sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). The exam is given at the end of the last semester on campus. 

Curriculum Outline

General Core Courses, 15 credits

Occupational Courses, 55 credits

Notes:

• A grade of “C” or higher is required for all courses listed in the curriculum outline.
• A student who receives a grade of less than a “C” in one course with the SURG prefix will be suspended from the program for one semester and will be considered for reentry on a space available basis at the next time that course is offered. The student should submit a “Program Readmission Form” to the Director of Surgical Technology by midterm of the semester prior to student wishing to return. A student who receives a grade of less than a “C” in two courses with the SURG prefix, same or different SURG course, will not permitted to reenter the program.
• Prior to participation in campus/clinical labs, students are required to submit completed medical and dental examination forms. All required immunizations, including Hepatitis B and seasonal flu, must be accompanied by documentation. Students who refuse to take the Hepatitis B/seasonal flu vaccination series must sign a declination form and be aware that clinical practicum sites may refuse to allow them the opportunity to gain clinical experience at their facility.
• Conviction of a felony or gross misdemeanor may prohibit employment in field. A background check and drug screen is required by all clinical agencies prior to a student attending clinical. For more information, contact the appropriate program advisor.
• Natural Science and ALHS courses older than five years will not be considered for program progression evaluation. Students will need to retake these courses to become eligible for program progression evaluation.
• Applicants must have the appropriate ACCUPLACER, ASSET, SAT or ACT scores to take the equivalent associate degree level courses.
• Student activities associated with the curriculum, especially while students are completing his or her clinical rotations, will be educational in nature. Students will not be receiving monetary remuneration during this educational experience, nor will he or she be substituted for hired staff personnel within the clinical institution in the capacity of a surgical technologist.
• Prior to participation in campus/clinical labs, students are required to show proof of current health insurance. Students who cannot show proof of Health Insurance need to be aware that clinical practicum sites may refuse to allow them the opportunity to gain clinical experience at their facility.

Guided Pathway

You may click on any course below to view the course description and prerequisite information.

Students who do not follow the Course Sequence listed below may not be able to complete the program in the number of semesters shown.

A background check and drug screen is required by all clinical agencies prior to a student attending clinical.  For more information, contact the appropriate advisor.

Proof of health insurance is required for a student to attend clinical.  Form more information, contact the appropriate advisor.

Student activities associated with the curriculum, especially while students completing his or her clinical rotations, will be educational in nature.  Students will not be receiving monetary remuneration during this educational experience, nor will he or she be substituted for hired stall personnel within the clinical institution in the capacity of surgical technologist.

Piedmont Summerville Day Program

PROGRAM NAME: Surgical Technology

AWARD: Associates of Applied Science Degree

CAMPUS: Piedmont Summerville Day Program

Year 1 Fall Semester

Year 1 Spring Semester

Year 1 Summer Semester

Year 2 Fall Semester

Year 2 Spring Semester

Year 2 Summer Semester

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 (www.arctsa.org).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

www.caahep.org

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