Surgical Technology

About the Program

If you want to help doctors and nurses save lives in the operating room, a career as a surgical technologist could be a great fit for you.

In this accredited program, you’ll learn to prepare operating equipment with the latest aseptic techniques, assist during surgeries, and safely care for surgical patients alongside surgeons and nurses. Practicing your skills in real operating rooms, you’ll learn firsthand how to relate to patients and work with other medical professionals in fast-paced, surgical situations. When you complete the program, you will qualify to take the National Certifying Examination for Surgical Technologists to become a certified surgical technologist (CST).

Whether you want to work in the medical field, or you simply enjoy helping people, a degree in surgical technology can help you achieve your goals with a rewarding future in the operating room.

Detailed Information

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities for surgical technologists in the Spokane area are excellent. The median annual surgical technologist salary in Spokane, Washington, is $42,567, as of April 27, 2017, with a range between $38,244-$47,418, not including bonus and benefit information and other factors that impact base pay. The salary for someone with the title surgical technologist may vary depending on factors such as industry, company size, location, years of experience and level of education.

Clinical Sites/Field Experiences

Clinical experiences begin in the third quarter and continue through the sixth quarter. Clinicals are a chance to practice you learning in the real world. You are placed with a preceptor at a clinical site who will help and guide you in your practice. Starting fourth quarter, if you pass all required tests and clinical clearances, you will be in an operating room during surgeries, acting as the surgical technologist.

There are also at least two state seminars that you could attend, which would require travel to another city in Washington state. You will also be encouraged to take part in the SCC- CPR club and to become basic life support (BLS) instructors.

Admission Wait List

There is a high demand for this program. Each fall quarter, we accept 18 students into the program from a wait list. The wait for acceptance into the program is typically two years. We only accept enough students to fill the promised clinical sites. Everyone who enters the program is guaranteed a clinical site for the entire length of the program when they enter the program.

Prerequisites/Background Check

We have four prerequisites that MUST be completed prior to application to the program: General Biology (BIOL 160), Computer Fundamentals (CIS 110) and Math 92 and a background check. This must be submitted, and paid for by the student, prior to application acceptance.

Lab Fees

Lab fees in the surgical technology program are higher than other programs. Our real-world teaching approach requires that we purchase lab items from the same suppliers that hospitals use.

Additional Information

For more information about the surgical technology program, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or the program director's faculty website.

Accreditation

Courses

SURG 100 — Introduction to Surgical Technology — 2.0 Credits

This course introduces the roles of the surgical technologist emphasizing the surgical environmental and procedural safety concerns.

SURG 101 — Surgical Procedures — 5.0 Credits

This course is an introduction to the knowledge and techniques essential to the surgical technologist in preparation of the patient for major or minor surgical procedures. Expertise in preparation/utilization of equipment and supplies, sterilization/disinfection, aseptic techniques, robotics, and duties of the surgical technologist and assistant circulator are emphasized. Health care provider CPR is included. Prerequisite: HED 125, SURG 100, 120.

SURG 104 — Central Service Clinical — 1.0 Credits

This clinical rotation allows students the opportunity to develop performance competencies appropriate to central service units.

SURG 105 — Blood-borne Pathogens and HIV/AIDS — 1.0 Credits

Students are introduced to current information on blood-borne pathogens with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS education utilizing the 7-hour Washington State curriculum. This course is offered online only.

SURG 107 — Surgical Environment — 3.0 Credits

Students learn the skills required for the physical environment (working condition) of the operating room. Understanding the basic patient and staff safety issues are emphasized. Prerequisite: Successful completion of first quarter coursework and concurrent enrollment in HED 125, SURG 100.

SURG 111 — Technical Skills I — 4.0 Credits

This course provides practical applications for performing the duties of a circulating assistant and scrub technician in a simulated operating room. Duties include patient preparation, equipment and supplies preparation, instrumentation, sterilization/disinfection practices, and aseptic techniques. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in SURG 101.

SURG 120 — Disease Transmission and Control — 3.0 Credits

This course introduces students to basic microbiology theory including discussion of pathogenic microorganisms. Methods of transmission, identification of microorganisms in the operating room, and growth control and practices in the operating room are emphasized.

SURG 202 — Surgical Procedures — 6.0 Credits

This course continues with the concepts introduced in SURG 101 with emphasis on advanced preparation and utilization of electrical equipment and lasers. Supplies necessary for specific specialties and various surgical procedures are included. Prerequisite: SURG 101 and concurrent enrollment in SURG 212, 254.

SURG 203 — Surgical Procedures — 4.0 Credits

This course continues with the concepts introduced in SURG 202 with emphasis on advanced preparation and utilization of equipment. Supplies necessary for specific advanced specialties and various surgical procedures are included. An introduction of physics is presented. Prerequisite: SURG 202, 212 and concurrent enrollment in SURG 206, 255.

SURG 206 — Perioperative Care of the Patient — 4.0 Credits

Students learn the skills required for preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative phases of the surgical patient. Understanding the patient's pharmacologic, ethical, anesthetic, wound healing and other related nursing needs are emphasized. Prerequisite: Successful completion of fourth-quarter coursework and concurrent enrollment in SURG 203, 255.

SURG 212 — Technical Skills II — 4.0 Credits

This course continues with the applications introduced in SURG 111. Duties include patient preparation, equipment and supplies preparation, sterilizing practices, and disinfection and aseptic techniques. Prerequisite: Successful completion of SURG 101, 111 and concurrent enrollment in SURG 202.

SURG 250 — Surgical Seminar — 3.0 Credits

This weekly conference is based on discussion from the students' operating room experience in the form of case studies. Students also review for preparation for the national certification test. Prerequisite: SURG 255.

SURG 254 — Operating Room Practicum — 2.0 Credits

This course provides surgical technology students with actual experience in the operating room. In this pre-arranged practicum, students learn teamwork, flexibility, organization, and economy in time, motion and materials. Preparation of all supplies and equipment used for surgical procedures in the operation room is included. Prerequisite: SURG 101, 104, 111 and concurrent enrollment in SURG 202, 212.

SURG 255 — Operating Room Practicum — 5.0 Credits

This course provides surgical technology students with actual experience in the operating room. In this pre-arranged practicum, students learn teamwork, flexibility, organization, and economy in time, motion and materials. Preparation of all supplies and equipment used for surgical procedures in the operation room is included. First and second scrubbing procedures under the supervision of operating room personnel or instructor are emphasized. Prerequisite: SURG 202, 212, 254 and concurrent enrollment in SURG 203, 206.

SURG 256 — Operating Room Practicum — 10.0 Credits

Students gain clinical experience in affiliated hospital operating rooms assisting the circulator, and shadowing anesthesia and maternity technicians. Prerequisite: SURG 203, 206, 255 and concurrent enrollment in SURG 250.

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