Associate of Science in Surgical Technology
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Surgical technologists are vital to surgeons, serving as an essential part of the surgical team and helping to save lives. In our Associate of Science in Surgical Technology program, you’ll receive hands-on training and education for this key role. You’ll study pharmaceutical drugs, surgical procedures, and clinical care, including how to position, prep, and drape a patient. You’ll discuss sterilization procedures, the importance of keeping surgical areas sterile, and the role of microorganisms in the environment. In addition to time in the classroom and our Surgical Technology lab, you’ll gain practical clinical experience in operating rooms at various hospitals and out-patient surgery centers. When you graduate, you’ll have worked to develop an understanding of what to expect in the operating room and be ready to perform vital tasks before, during, and after surgery.
Develop Essential Skills In
- Surgical patient care
- Decontamination and sterile processing
- Surgery preparation and support
- Pharmaceutical drug use and effects
- Instrumentation and supply handling
See All Surgical Technology Programs
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Tuition and Fees
Available Locations
Ranked #1 in Tennessee 2023-2024
Associate Level
Surgical Technology
Ranked #4 in the Southeast Region 2023-2024
Associate Level
Surgical Technology
Ranked #15
in the Nation 2023-2024
for Top Surgical
Technology Schools
Examples of Scholarships and Grants That May Be Available (Check with Your Campus Financial Aid Office For More Information)
21st Century Scholarship
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
South College Promise
TN Promise
TN Reconnect
Yellow Ribbon
Concentrations in this Program
Ready For Your Next Step?
You May Enjoy This Line of Study If You…
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Enjoy being a key member of the team and part of a high-performance group -
Thrive on being “in the middle of” what’s going on -
Are fascinated by surgery and the complexity of the human body -
Do your best work under pressure, fast-paced and rapidly changing environments where accuracy and timing is crucial -
Act professionally and ethically in all settings
Go even further with South College!
GOALS/LEARNING OUTCOMES
To prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.
Graduates of this program of study will:
- Demonstrate competency in the background information, content, and skills required for performance as a surgical technologist in the operating room.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with all members of the health care team in terms of staff and patient needs.
- Exhibit conduct that reflects practice standards that are legal, ethical, and safe.
Additional Information
Professional Certification Acknowledgement
Currently there are no requirements for state licensure for Surgical Technologists. Professional certification is required to practice as a Surgical Technologist. The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting currently sets certain eligibility criteria to take the surgical tech certification exam. Graduates of an accredited program in surgical technology or surgical first assisting programs can take the exam with a notarized letter from their program director stating their graduation date, with a copy of their transcript.
The Associate of Science in Surgical Technology program offered at the Asheville, Knoxville, Nashville, and Pittsburgh campuses is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) (9355 – 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775, 727-210-2350), based upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC-STSA).
The application and self-study for the Associate of Science in Surgical Technology program offered at the Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Orlando campuses to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (9355 – 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775, 727-210-2350) has been submitted and a site visit scheduled for pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. This step in the process is neither a status of accreditation nor a guarantee that accreditation will be granted. Accreditation must be awarded to the program prior to graduates being able to attempt the required certification examination to practice as a Surgical Technologist.
State Law Overview
The following states have passed law related to the education and certification of surgical technologists. This includes graduation from a CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology program, obtain the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST®) credential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), and maintain the CST® credential by completing mandatory continuing education (CE) hours.
NOTE: When a state passes this law, nothing in the law prevents an employer from requiring all of its surgical technologist employees (not just new-hires) to meet the full requirements of the law regardless of whether the employee fits into the “grandfathered” or “military” exceptions.
Indiana (2009)
Massachusetts (2012)
Nevada (2017)
New Jersey (2011)
New York (2015)
Oregon (2016)
Pennsylvania (2020)
South Carolina (2018)
Tennessee (2013)
Texas (2009)
Idaho (1991) – Idaho has an administrative rule requiring that surgical technologists (referred to as “operating room technicians” in the rule) either complete a CAAHEP-accredited program OR satisfy the NBSTSA requirements for CST/certification.
The following states require surgical technologists to register in order to work in the state:
- Colorado (2016) (CST not required for registration)
- North Dakota (2011) (“Unlicensed Assistive Person” registry; CST not required for registration)
- Washington (2010) (CST not required for registration)
The following states offer optional registration/title protection for surgical technologists:
- Arkansas (2017) (Must be a CST in order to qualify for the registry/title protection)
- Illinois (2004) (Must be a CST in order to qualify for the registry/title protection)
- Virginia (2014) (Must be a CST in order to qualify for the registry/title protection)
CST Exam Pass Rate
| Campus | Graduating Class | Retention Rate | Placement Rate(must be CST to work in TN) | CST Exam Pass Rate |
| Knoxville | September 2021 | 86% (6/7) | 43% (3/7) | 100% (3/3) |
| March 2022 | 71% (5/7) | 80% (4/5) | 80% (4/5) | |
| September 2022 | 80% (8/10) | 100% (8/8) | 100% (8/8) | |
| March 2023 | 75% (6/8) | 67% (4/6) | 17% (1/6) | |
| September 2023 | 70% (7/10) | 86% (6/7) | 67% (4/6) | |
| March 2024 | 76% (13/17) | 92% (12/13) | 92% (12/13) |
Admission Requirements
Students applying to this program must:- Be generally admitted to South College;
- Meet specific health and/or essential functions pertinent to the responsibilities performed by the Surgical Technologist;
- Successfully complete STE 1000 Introduction to Surgical Technology, STE 1100 Patient Care Concepts I, and STE 1101 Patient Care Concepts I Lab courses;
- Students will be required to consent to a drug screening and background check prior to beginning clinical rotations. Failure to pass the screenings will result in non-admission;
- Clinical sites are dispersed; assigned sites may exceed 75 miles from South College. It is the responsibility of the student to allow for the proper travel time to ensure prompt arrival at the clinical facility.
Accreditation
Beginning in the year 2000, only graduates of a surgical technology program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) may take the certification exam. Beginning in July 2006, surgical technologists practicing in the state of Tennessee must be certified or a graduate of a CAAHEP-accredited program. This accreditation is provided in collaboration with the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).
Asheville, Knoxville, Nashville, and Pittsburgh
The Associate of Science in Surgical Technology program offered at the Asheville, Knoxville, Nashville, and Pittsburgh campuses is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org), 9355 – 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775, 727-210-2350, upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC-STSA) (www.arcstsa.org).
Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Orlando
The Associate of Science in Surgical Technology program offered at the Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Orlando campuses have a site visit scheduled for pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org). This step in the process is neither a status of accreditation nor a guarantee that accreditation will be granted.
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As an institution of higher education, South College recognizes its responsibility to society and supports both institutional and individual commitments to service. South College encourages its administration, faculty, and staff to invest their knowledge, experience, and expertise in community, professional, and institutional service. South College’s core values of excellence, responsibility, and integrity serve as the foundation for assessing the quality of institutional, school/departmental, and individual performance in achieving this mission. South College is grateful for the service and sacrifice of our military and their families. We are happy to provide the South College Military Grant to support our military – past and present – in the pursuit of their education and skill development. The South College Application Fee is waived for all active-duty military members, veterans, their spouses, and their dependent children who receive this Grant.
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