Surgical Technology

Surgical technologists are allied health professionals and an integral part of the operating-room team, working under a surgeon's supervision to help perform invasive and minimally invasive procedures safely. The Surgical Technology program prepares entry-level surgical technologists across the knowledge, skills, and professional-behavior domains.

Students gain a strong background in general, cardiac, neuro, plastic, orthopedic, vascular, genitourinary, ophthalmic, and OB/GYN procedures, and learn asepsis and sterile technique, instrumentation, surgical case management, and patient care before, during, and after surgery. Graduates complete a minimum of 120 surgical cases during externship.

• Earn an Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology.
• Hands-on training in asepsis, instrumentation, and surgical case management across all major surgical specialties.
• Includes a supervised operating-room externship — a minimum of 120 surgical cases.
• Prepares graduates to sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam (NBSTSA), required as a condition of graduation.
• Accredited by ACCSC.

Each applicant for admission is assigned an admissions advisor who directs the applicant through the steps of the admissions process, provides information on curriculum, policies, procedures and services, and assists in setting the necessary appointments and interviews. Admission decisions are based on the applicant’s fulfillment of the requirements, a review of previous educational records and a review of career interests. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that Fortis College receives all the required documentation.

Entrance test. The catalog sets the minimum Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) score for Surgical Technology at 17.

Additional requirements for Surgical Technology. Applicants must submit to and pass a criminal background check before starting the program; a conviction for certain offenses may bar participation in externship or clinical training, professional certification or licensure, and employment in the field. Applicants must pass a drug screen before starting the program, and random drug and alcohol testing may be done throughout the program. Students must be 18 years of age when they start the clinical/externship portion of the program. Applicants must submit a valid photo ID showing their name and address, such as a current driver’s license, U.S. passport or Permanent Resident Card. Applicants must sign the physical or technical statement specific to the program. Because some externship sites require health insurance, applicants must submit a valid medical insurance card or a signed medical waiver. Because some externship sites may be more than 50 miles from campus, applicants must sign a statement acknowledging the travel requirements.

Hybrid delivery. Because this program is delivered in a hybrid format, applicants must also sign a Student Information and Acknowledgement Form and pass the school’s Online Competency Assessment with a score of 70% or higher; an applicant who does not pass on the third and final attempt cannot enroll in the hybrid program.

Surgical Technology combines on-campus classes and simulation labs with a supervised operating-room externship. Externship rotations are scheduled at clinical sites, and students must complete a minimum of 120 surgical cases before graduation.

The program is 105 quarter credits (1,690 contact hours), completed in 84 weeks, in a hybrid format — some coursework is online; labs and clinicals are on-campus and at clinical sites.