Surgical Technology
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A Surgical Technologist (ST) is a member of the surgical team who works with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel in delivering patient care and assuming appropriate responsibilities before, during and after surgery, including passing instruments to the surgeon and assisting during surgery.
The Surgical Technology Program at Skyline College
Skyline College’s Surgical Technology combine academic and clinical instruction that includes learning to prepare surgical instruments, passing them to the surgeon and handling specialized equipment.
To succeed in surgical careers, individuals need manual dexterity in order to handle instruments quickly and must employ critical thinking skills to anticipate the needs of the patient and the surgical team. Being alert, orderly and emotionally stable are also crucial to handling the demands of surgeons.
Career Outlook
Surgical technology offers a fun, interesting, and occasionally stressful work environment where surgeons rely on well-trained personnel to ensure everything is ready for optimal patient care. Working in surgical careers offers high levels of job security and mobility and a unique opportunity to help others.
With additional education, surgical technologists may become surgical nurses or surgical technology instructors. Some may assume management positions in hospital central supply departments or in business firms such as sterile supply services and operating room equipment distributors.
Surgical technologists in California make in a range of $35 per hour with an average salary of $72,860 according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Surgical Technology Program at Skyline College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Students are highly encouraged to join their professional association, The Association of Surgical Technologists, during their student year in order to receive the many benefits of membership including discounts on fees for membership, the national Certification Exam provided by The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) as well as continuing education opportunities. The student membership fee is $45.00. For more information call 1-800-637-7433 or visit AST.org.
Surgical Technology Continuing Accreditation Letter
Surgical Technology Program Annual Report 2019
In accordance with accreditation standards and beginning with the cohort entering in 2021, Skyline College is discontinuing the Certificate in Surg Tech and will only offer the Associate of Science degree in Surgical Technology. The AS degree requires an additional 30 units of General Education (GE) coursework on top of successfully completing the full 12-month Surg Tech program.
For this reason, all students interested in applying to the Surg Tech program are highly encouraged to complete their GE's before applying.
- If you have questions about GE credits and how to plan your schedule, please schedule a session with Skyline College Counseling and request a Science, Technology, and Health meta major counselor.
- If you have already received a degree from another college and need to have your transfer credits evaluated, please see SMCCD Transcript Evaluation to get started.
The Skyline College Surg Tech program only admits students by special application. Surgical Technology applications are only accepted from January 15 to April 1.
| Program | Type | Total Units |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Technology | AS | 60 Units |
Skyline College Allied Health Sciences has a new Simulation Laboratory located in Building 7, Room 7-211. The lab features state-of-the-art Gaumard adult, infant and premie tetherless simulators. The lab also includes full patient monitors, beds, standard clinical supplies and a video recording system.
Patient simulators can provide all vital signs, including heart & respiratory rates, pulses, lung sounds, pupil response and oxygen saturation. The manikins are able to realistically simulate virtually any medical problem or condition, including cardiac, respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal and metabolic issues.
The patient simulators provide a total hands-on experience in which students are able to see the results of their actions in real time. Currently, the Simulation Lab is used for training students in the Surgical Technology, Respiratory Care, and Sterile Processing Technology programs.
Upon completion of the program students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of surgical technology equal to an entry-level surgical technologist.
- Demonstrate competence in clinical skills equal to an entry-level surgical technologist.
- Demonstrate behavior appropriate for an entry-level surgical technologist.
Location: Building 7, Room 7-205
Email: ranades@smccd.edu
Thank you for your interest in the Surgical Technology Program at Skyline College. Students are admitted into the program once a year only. The application is open every year from January 15th - May 1st. Since students are admitted in cohorts and will start and finish the program together, we cannot accept applications during the rest of the year.
Students need to complete an online application to apply for the Surgical Technology Program. Up to twenty-five (25) applicants are accepted per year. To be considered for the program, students must meet Skyline College admission requirements, meet the program prerequisite requirements, submit the online application, and show evidence of good health.
Application Process
Admission into the Surgical Technology program is by special application only. The application is a 3-step process described below: the Skyline College Application, the Surgical Tech Online Application, and 1 recommendation letter.
Program Eligibility Prerequisite Requirements
- Completion of a High School Diploma or GED
- The following college-level courses, completed with a “C” or better:
- Human Anatomy (with lab) – BIOL 250 or equivalent
- Medical Terminology – HSCI 484 or MEDA 484 or equivalent
- Microbiology – BIOL 240 or equivalent
- Completion of 19 units of General Education and graduation requirements (5-11 units) prior to starting the program
Communication in the healthcare setting is vital to effective patient and colleague interaction. The AS Degree requires completion of Composition English (ENGL 100 or ENGL 105), and a college-level Intermediate Algebra course, or higher. It is advised to complete these requirements prior to application for the program.
All the above prerequisites must be completed by the application deadline. Be sure also to work with a Skyline College Academic Counselor to determine your General Education (GE) course requirements towards the A.S. Degree in Surgical Technology.
Strongly Recommended Before Application:
- Completion of 30 GE credits (or a transcript evaluation demonstrating the same)
Skyline has discontinued the Surg Tech Certificate of Achievement and will only offer an AS Degree in Surgical Technology, starting with the 2021 - 2022 cohort. Because the Surg Tech certification test is only open to students who have received their degree, we encourage all prospective students to complete their GE credits so you can take the Certification Exam immediately after completing our program.
Application Steps
1. Apply to Skyline College
- Complete the Skyline College application
- Make a note of your Skyline College ID (G#) when received through email
2. Complete the Surgical Technology Online Application
Are you a re-applicant? Follow Click the red box at the top of this page labeled "How to Re-Apply".
New Applicants must complete the application linked above. Please be prepared to answer all questions at once. The application will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. When completing the application, please be sure to have:
- Information ready to complete a record of prior educational history and prerequisite grades, such as copies of transcripts.
- Information ready to complete a brief medical history on any chronic conditions or communicable illnesses.
- A 500-word personal statement that answers the following prompt: In your own words, please describe your interest in the medical field and why you wish to become a Surgical Technologist. Describe situations where you demonstrated accountability, responsibility, honesty, promptness, assertiveness, and teamwork.
- Digital copies (PDF or Word files) of all unofficial transcripts showing completed
prerequisites. NOTE: Foreign transcripts will need evaluation by:
- International Education Research Foundation Inc
Post Office Box 3665
Culver City, CA 90231-3665
Phone: 310.258.9451
- International Education Research Foundation Inc
3. Submit One (1) Letter of Recommendation
Applicants must submit one (1) letter of recommendation. Applicants are allowed to
submit a formal letter of recommendation or a completed Personal Reference form completed by their recommender. If submitting a letter of recommendation, please
ask your recommender to address the qualities in the Personal Reference form. Please
read the instructions on the form before giving it to your recommenders.
The following are suggested categories for recommenders:
- Dean, counselor, principal, teacher, or instructor
- Employer or supervisor
- Health care workers
- Leaders of community organizations (volunteering, church, club, etc)
Recommendations from close friends or relatives will not be accepted. Completed recommendation forms may be uploaded during the application process, or emailed to ranades@smccd.edu.
Please Note: Your application will be considered complete once you receive email verification that all documents are received.
After Acceptance:
After acceptance, students must successfully complete a social security referenced background check and drug test, provide immunization records, and complete a physical exam to meet clinical requirements. They may be required to repeat the social security referenced background check and drug test as per hospital requirements.
Please Note:
To determine specific General Education requirements, applicants are encouraged to contact Counseling. We suggest that you complete most GE requirements prior to submitting your application.
Clinical Affiliate Requirements
Clinical affiliates have several safety and health requirements to ensure patient safety. As such, these requirements are mandatory upon acceptance to the program. Students may need to complete these requirements multiple times throughout the program. Do not send any of these documents until requested to do so.
- Evidence of good health in the form of Physical Exam report signed by a practicing physician
- Verification of all immunizations pertinent to health care personnel--TB, Tetanus, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Chickenpox, Covid-19
- Cleared social security referenced background check
- Cleared drug testing
The physical demands of surgical technology can be challenging.
Learn more about the physical expectations of surgical technology
For Further Information, Please Contact:
Shruti Ranade, Program Services Coordinator | ranades@smccd.edu | (650) 738-4310
Why should I become a Surgical Technologist?
Surgery is a complex activity where the surgeon relies on well‐trained personnel to ensure everything is ready for the patient. This is a satisfying, fun, interesting, and, at‐times stressful profession that offers job security and mobility.
Learn more about what our program and a career in surgical technology is like:
About the Profession
A typical day for A Surgical Technologist (ST) starts at 7 am. The ST and the nurse are assigned to a single operating room where a wide variety of surgical procedures may be scheduled. One day, for example, a patient may need their tonsils removed; another may arrive with a broken arm; later the Surgical Team may assist with the use of robots to remove a tumor from the lung.
In general, the ST assists the surgeon, registered nurse and anesthesia care provider with care of the surgical patient. The ST arranges the supplies and the instruments needed and hands these to the surgeon during the procedure. The ST may retract tissue, suction fluids, and assemble complex equipment. After the procedure, the ST and the nurse transfer the patient to the postoperative unit. Then, they clear away the used materials.
An ST can work in hospital operating rooms, free‐standing ambulatory surgery centers, clinics, and surgeons’ offices. With experience and further training, s/he can specialize in a particular service, become a Team Leader, or take the position of the Central Services Manager.
- Knowledge of Surgical Anatomy and Physiology allows the ST to comprehend the surgical procedures.
- The fundamentals of Conceptual Physics help him/ her understand the workings of complex surgical equipment and ways to protect him/ her and others from harm.
- Infection Control practices such as Sterilization and Disinfection, and Aseptic Technique, are based on lessons in Microbiology.
- In order to ensure the safety of the patient, the student also studies O.R. Pharmacology so as to assist the surgeon with medication administration.
About the Program at Skyline College
A minimum of 4 terms, beginning in the fall. Fall semester is from mid-August to mid-December. Spring semester is from mid-January to end of May. Summer semester is from mid‐June to mid‐August.
Classes meet on a regular schedule.
Fall, Spring, and Summer: Lectures and labs generally meet from 8 am - 3 pm on Mondays - Thursdays
Final Term: Clinical externship from Mondays - Fridays with varying hours based on the hospital or surgical center’s schedule
In addition to classes, students can expect to study 2 to 3 hours every day.
Fall, spring, and summer classes consist of lectures and demonstrations, followed by lab sessions. Labs teach such skills as:
- Scrubbing hands and arms, putting on sterile gown and gloves
- Passing instruments and equipment
- Handling supplies and medications…And much more.
- High School Diploma or GED
- Human Anatomy equivalent to BIOL 250
- Medical Terminology equivalent to HSCI 484
- Microbiology equivalent to BIOL 240
- Completion of 19 units of General Education and graduation requirements (5-11 units) prior to starting the program
Communication in the healthcare setting is vital to effective patient and colleague interaction. The AS Degree requires completion of Composition English (ENGL 100 or ENGL 105), and a college-level Intermediate Algebra course, or higher. It is advised to complete these requirements prior to application for the program.
Applicants who have achieved all prerequisites are placed in the lottery pool. Applicants who are still working on the prerequisites by the deadline may be placed in the pool if there are spaces available. Only complete applications will be considered.
We take no more students than we have hospital sites for training, usually 25. Then, we add a Waiting List of 15 randomly‐selected students.
Applications are accepted from January 15 to May 1 of every year. Acceptance letters are emailed in late-May.
Fees are subject to change. Students can expect to pay approximately $3700 in tuition, fees, books and supplies.
Starting pay varies from $40 to $53 per hour. Some Surgical Techs in the Bay Area can make up to $83,000 per year.
Per the Surgical Technology Program 2018 Annual Report, there was a 90% pass rate for Skyline College students on the national certification exam. This is the Outcomes Assessment Exam (OAE) pass rate approved by the accrediting body of ARC/STSA.
Primary Contacts
Program Lead
Dean