Surgical Technology

Overview

Surgical technologists work in the operating room with surgeons to deliver patient care during all phases of surgery. MTC offers a balanced set of experiences in the classroom, lab, and clinical settings.

Surgical Technologists are integral members of the operating room team. They work in cooperation with surgeons and other healthcare professionals to deliver safe, direct patient care during all phases of surgery. Technologists prepare and sterilize instruments and surgical supplies, assist physicians during surgical procedures, ensure necessary equipment is properly maintained and available when needed, handle surgical specimens, maintain a sterile atmosphere in the operating room environment, and complete necessary paperwork related to surgical procedures.

The comprehensive Surgical Technology program offers students the opportunity to prepare for entry-level positions as Surgical Technologists. The three-semester curriculum gives students a balanced set of experiences in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings. Students are trained in procedures, aseptic (sterile) techniques, medical equipment nomenclature, human anatomy and physiology, physics, robotics, and pharmacology for the operating room. Graduates of the program may be employed in a variety of areas such as the operating room, labor and delivery, physicians’ offices, cath labs, and outpatient surgery centers.

Learning experiences for students in the Surgical Technology Diploma Program are provided in classrooms and a simulated operating room on the Airport Campus in the Health Sciences Building. Required clinical experiences (externships/internships) are arranged through affiliations with local hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

In addition to the college’s placement test and the admissions requirements for the Health Sciences Department, there are additional specific eligibility and admissions criteria to the Surgical Technology program.

Accreditation

The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP), on the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Committee in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST). Students who successfully complete Midlands Technical College’s Surgical Technology 12-month diploma program are eligible to take the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam and upon passing will become certified surgical technologists. The last eight graduating classes of Midlands Technical College’s Surgical Technology program have had a 100% passing rate on this exam.

Accreditation

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
(727) 210-2350
caahep.org

Pre-Application Considerations

High school diploma or equivalent.
High school or college credits in mathematics/science (algebra, chemistry, physics or biology) recommended.

Requirements

Students are required to purchase and maintain blue scrub suits, white shoes, white hose, a name pin, and protective eyewear at an approximate cost of $180.

Students must attain a grade of “C” or better in all required curriculum courses to complete the program successfully. All courses in the curriculum may be repeated no more than once to obtain a grade of “C” or better. No more than two curriculum courses may be repeated. All Surgical Technology courses must be taken in the appropriate sequence.

Applicants and students of this program should also review and complete the Essential Functions Form for the Surgical Technology Program.

Program Type

Associate Degree

How to Enroll

To pursue this degree, you must apply to MTC using our online application.

Apply Now

Questions?

Print Plan

Sample Program Plan and Costs

Class Delivery Methods

View current courses offered via our online course directory.

On-Campus	Traditional. Classes meet on campus.
Virtual	100% online. Meets with a live instructor and classmates on specific days, at specific times. Uses web conferencing software, like Zoom.
Hybrid	Some classes on campus. Some classes online or virtual.
Online	100% online. Due dates for projects and assignments. Self-paced work on your time.

Full Time
Part Time Schedule

Full Time

Semester	Course ID	Course Title	Classroom	Online	Hybrid	Virtual	Credits
Term 1 Fall (13 Credit Hours)	ENG-160	Technical Communications Technical Communications ID: ENG-160 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of various technical communications such as definitions, processes, instructions, descriptions, and technical reports.	•	•		•	3
	MAT-155	Contemporary Mathematics Contemporary Mathematics ID: MAT-155 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes techniques and applications of the following topics: elementary number theory; algebra; geometry; measurement; graph sketching and interpretations; and descriptive statistics.	•	•		•	3
	PSY-201	General Psychology General Psychology ID: PSY-201 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the following topics and concepts in the science of behavior: scientific method, biological bases for behavior, perception, motivation, learning memory, development, personality, abnormal behavior, therapeutic techniques, and social psychology.	•	•	•	•	3
	PHI-115	Contemporary Moral Issues Contemporary Moral Issues ID: PHI-115 Credit Hours: 3 This course examines moral issues in contemporary society, including basic principles and applications of ethics.	•	•			3
	COL-106	Skills for College Success Skills for College Success ID: COL-106 Credit Hours: 1 This course is designed to enhance the skills of entering freshmen to facilitate their ability to succeed in the college environment. The course topics include student/instructor expectations, time management, library/computer orientation, listening/note-taking, studying for success, learning styles/personality types, and diversity and differences on campus.		•		•	1
Term 2 Spring (13 Credit Hours)	CPT-101	Introduction to Computers Introduction to Computers ID: CPT-101 Credit Hours: 3 This course covers basic computer history, theory and applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, data bases, and the operating system.	•	•	•	•	3
	SUR-123	Steril Processing Technology Steril Processing Technology ID: SUR-123 Credit Hours: 3 This course provides detailed study of the preparation and processing procedures of surgical instruments.	•				3
	AHS-102	Medical Terminology Medical Terminology ID: AHS-102 Credit Hours: 3 This course covers medical terms, including roots, prefixes, and suffixes, with emphasis on spelling, definition, and pronunciation.	•	•			3
	BIO-112	Basic Anatomy and Physiology Basic Anatomy and Physiology ID: BIO-112 Credit Hours: 4 This course is a basic integrated study of the structure and function of the human body.	•		•	•	4
Term 3 Summer (6 Credit Hours)	BIO-115	Basic Microbiology Basic Microbiology ID: BIO-115 Credit Hours: 3 This is a general course in microbiology, including epidemiology, presence, control, and identification of microorganisms.				•	3
Term 3 Summer (6 Credit Hours)	AHS-180	Health Careers Preparation Health Careers Preparation ID: AHS-180 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes selected topics such as study skills, test-taking skills, critical thinking, problem solving, ethics, health careers test preparation and other topics to promote student success.	•	•	•		3
Term 4 Fall (9 Credit Hours)	SUR-101	Introduction to Surgical Technology Introduction to Surgical Technology ID: SUR-101 Credit Hours: 5 This course includes a study of the surgical environment, team concepts, aseptic technique, hospital organization, basic instrumentation and supplies, sterilization, principles of infection control, and wound healing.	•				5
Term 4 Fall (9 Credit Hours)	SUR-103	Surgical Procedures I Surgical Procedures I ID: SUR-103 Credit Hours: 4 This course is a study of a system to system approach to surgical procedures and relates regional anatomy, pathology, specialty equipment, and team responsibility. Patient safety, medical/legal aspects, and drugs used in surgery are emphasized.	•				4
Term 5 Spring (14 Credit Hours)	SUR-102	Applied Surgical Technology Applied Surgical Technology ID: SUR-102 Credit Hours: 5 This course covers the principles and application of aseptic technique, the perioperative role, and medical/legal aspects.	•				5
	SUR-104	Surgical Procedures II Surgical Procedures II ID: SUR-104 Credit Hours: 4 This course is a study of the various specialties of surgical procedures.	•				4
	SUR-110	Introduction to Surgical Practicum Introduction to Surgical Practicum ID: SUR-110 Credit Hours: 5 This course is an introduction to the application of surgical technique by assisting in the perioperative roles in various clinical affiliations.	•				5
Term 6 Summer (9 Credit Hours)	SUR-114	Surgical Specialty Practicum Surgical Specialty Practicum ID: SUR-114 Credit Hours: 7 This course includes the correlation of the principles and theories of specialized surgical procedures with clinical performance in affiliated hospitals.	•				7
Term 6 Summer (9 Credit Hours)	SUR-120	Surgical Seminar Surgical Seminar ID: SUR-120 Credit Hours: 2 This course includes the comprehensive correlation of theory and practice in the perioperative role.	•				2
				Total Credit Hours		64
				Estimated Cost Financial Aid		$12,032.00 Not including fees and equipment

Part Time Schedule

Semester	Course ID	Course Title	Classroom	Online	Hybrid	Virtual	Credits
Term 1 (9 Credit Hours)	ENG-160	Technical Communications Technical Communications ID: ENG-160 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of various technical communications such as definitions, processes, instructions, descriptions, and technical reports.	•	•		•	3
	MAT-155	Contemporary Mathematics Contemporary Mathematics ID: MAT-155 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes techniques and applications of the following topics: elementary number theory; algebra; geometry; measurement; graph sketching and interpretations; and descriptive statistics.	•	•		•	3
	PSY-201	General Psychology General Psychology ID: PSY-201 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the following topics and concepts in the science of behavior: scientific method, biological bases for behavior, perception, motivation, learning memory, development, personality, abnormal behavior, therapeutic techniques, and social psychology.	•	•	•	•	3
Term 2 (4 Credit Hours)	PHI-115	Contemporary Moral Issues Contemporary Moral Issues ID: PHI-115 Credit Hours: 3 This course examines moral issues in contemporary society, including basic principles and applications of ethics.	•	•			3
Term 2 (4 Credit Hours)	COL-106	Skills for College Success Skills for College Success ID: COL-106 Credit Hours: 1 This course is designed to enhance the skills of entering freshmen to facilitate their ability to succeed in the college environment. The course topics include student/instructor expectations, time management, library/computer orientation, listening/note-taking, studying for success, learning styles/personality types, and diversity and differences on campus.		•		•	1
Term 3 (6 Credit Hours)	CPT-101	Introduction to Computers Introduction to Computers ID: CPT-101 Credit Hours: 3 This course covers basic computer history, theory and applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, data bases, and the operating system.	•	•	•	•	3
Term 3 (6 Credit Hours)	SUR-123	Steril Processing Technology Steril Processing Technology ID: SUR-123 Credit Hours: 3 This course provides detailed study of the preparation and processing procedures of surgical instruments.	•				3
Term 4 (7 Credit Hours)	AHS-102	Medical Terminology Medical Terminology ID: AHS-102 Credit Hours: 3 This course covers medical terms, including roots, prefixes, and suffixes, with emphasis on spelling, definition, and pronunciation.	•	•			3
Term 4 (7 Credit Hours)	BIO-112	Basic Anatomy and Physiology Basic Anatomy and Physiology ID: BIO-112 Credit Hours: 4 This course is a basic integrated study of the structure and function of the human body.	•		•	•	4
Term 5 (6 Credit Hours)	BIO-115	Basic Microbiology Basic Microbiology ID: BIO-115 Credit Hours: 3 This is a general course in microbiology, including epidemiology, presence, control, and identification of microorganisms.				•	3
Term 5 (6 Credit Hours)	AHS-180	Health Careers Preparation Health Careers Preparation ID: AHS-180 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes selected topics such as study skills, test-taking skills, critical thinking, problem solving, ethics, health careers test preparation and other topics to promote student success.	•	•	•		3
Term 6 (9 Credit Hours)	SUR-101	Introduction to Surgical Technology Introduction to Surgical Technology ID: SUR-101 Credit Hours: 5 This course includes a study of the surgical environment, team concepts, aseptic technique, hospital organization, basic instrumentation and supplies, sterilization, principles of infection control, and wound healing.	•				5
Term 6 (9 Credit Hours)	SUR-103	Surgical Procedures I Surgical Procedures I ID: SUR-103 Credit Hours: 4 This course is a study of a system to system approach to surgical procedures and relates regional anatomy, pathology, specialty equipment, and team responsibility. Patient safety, medical/legal aspects, and drugs used in surgery are emphasized.	•				4
Term 7 (14 Credit Hours)	SUR-102	Applied Surgical Technology Applied Surgical Technology ID: SUR-102 Credit Hours: 5 This course covers the principles and application of aseptic technique, the perioperative role, and medical/legal aspects.	•				5
	SUR-104	Surgical Procedures II Surgical Procedures II ID: SUR-104 Credit Hours: 4 This course is a study of the various specialties of surgical procedures.	•				4
	SUR-110	Introduction to Surgical Practicum Introduction to Surgical Practicum ID: SUR-110 Credit Hours: 5 This course is an introduction to the application of surgical technique by assisting in the perioperative roles in various clinical affiliations.	•				5
Term 8 (9 Credit Hours)	SUR-114	Surgical Specialty Practicum Surgical Specialty Practicum ID: SUR-114 Credit Hours: 7 This course includes the correlation of the principles and theories of specialized surgical procedures with clinical performance in affiliated hospitals.	•				7
Term 8 (9 Credit Hours)	SUR-120	Surgical Seminar Surgical Seminar ID: SUR-120 Credit Hours: 2 This course includes the comprehensive correlation of theory and practice in the perioperative role.	•				2
				Total Credit Hours		64
				Estimated Cost Financial Aid		$12,032.00 Not including fees and equipment

Careers

Certified Surgical Technologist

Surgical technologists work alongside and assist surgeons, nurses, and other members of the health care team throughout a surgical operation. The role of the surgical technologist is incredibly important because they ensure a sterile and organized environment. Their common tasks and duties can be split into three phases: before the surgical operation (preoperative), during the surgical operation (intraoperative), and after the surgical operation (postoperative).

According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

Hospital Operating Rooms
Outpatient Surgery Centers
Surgeon's Offices

Careers

Sterile Processing Technologist

Sterile Processing technicians are responsible for processing surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment. Serving in settings ranging from hospitals to ambulatory surgery centers, central service technicians provide support to patient services. Central Service Department tasks include decontaminating, cleaning, processing, assembling, sterilizing, storing, and distributing the medical devices and supplies needed for patient care. The Central Service Department of a health care facility is the heart of all activity surrounding instruments, supplies, and equipment required for operating rooms, endoscopy suites, intensive care units, birth centers, clinics, emergency departments and other patient care areas. Sterile Processing technicians play a most important role in patient care arenas and are responsible for first-line processes to prevent patient infections.

According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

Hospitals
Outpatient Surgery Centers

What’s next after I complete this program?

Surgical First Assistant

The role of the surgical assistant is vital to the operating room and any surgical case within the operating suite. The surgical assistant provides immediate support to the surgeon, direct patient care and should act as a vital resource to the staff of the operating room suite. The surgical assistant should be knowledgeable, well rounded, helpful, and supportive of a team like attitude. The surgical assistant is a necessary source of knowledge and skills.

Physician's Assistant

A physician assistant (PA) is a mid-level medical professional who works under a physician's supervision to provide medical services to patients. PAs perform many of the same duties as a primary care physician, but their specific responsibilities depend on state law and their supervising physician.

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