Surgical Technology

Are you fascinated with the operating room and surgery? Consider becoming a surgical technologist.

The goal of the surgical technology program at GTCC is to prepare competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

surgical-tech.jpgThe skills required to be a surgical technologist, according to the Association of Surgical Technologists, include:

  • Preparing the operating room, including the sterile field, and setting up surgical equipment, supplies, and solutions
  • Pass instruments, fluids, and supplies to the surgeon during surgery and prepare and manage surgical equipment
  • Simultaneously manage the sterile field and specimens
  • Perform a count of sponges and supplies to prevent foreign retained objects

Upon successful completion of the AAS Surgical Technology curriculum, graduates should be able to:

  • Integrate concepts from anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology and anesthesia, and medical terminology for surgical technology practice.
  • Demonstrate surgical conscience for perioperative patient care.
  • Perform surgical technologist skills using professional standards of practice.
  • Collaborate with the surgical team to provide efficient and effective perioperative patient care.

This will be accomplished by preparing competent entry-level surgical technologists and meeting or exceeding the criteria in the current CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Surgical Technology and the seventh edition of the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology.

Upon completion of the surgical technology program at GTCC, graduates are eligible to take the National Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

The GTCC Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).

In November 2024, CAAHEP awarded continuing accreditation to the Surgical Technology Associate Degree program at Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown, North Carolina. CAAHEP accreditation was awarded for the program's compliance with the Standards. The next comprehensive evaluation of the program, including a site visit, will be scheduled no later than 2034.

surgtechoutcomes.png

Outcomes Assessment Exam National Certification Exam Pass rate 63%: Assessment Year 2023-2024: 85%; AY 2022-2023: 63%; AY 2021-2022: 63%; AY 2020-2021: 100% (Note: 1 exam taken during COVID year); AY 2019-2020: 25%

Admissions Information

Credentialing Options

Surgical Technology, AAS - CIP Code: 51.0909

A 45 74 0

Contact: (336) 334-4822, ext. 50072

Limited Enrollment Program:  Contact the Admissions Office for Program admission requirements and Program application deadlines.

The Surgical Technology curriculum prepares individuals to assist in the care of the surgical patient in the operating room and to function as a member of the surgical team.

Students will apply theoretical knowledge to the care of patients undergoing surgery and develop skills necessary to prepare supplies, equipment, and instruments; maintain aseptic conditions; prepare patients for surgery; and assist surgeons during operations.

Employment opportunities include labor/delivery/emergency departments, inpatient/outpatient surgery centers, dialysis units/facilities, physicians' offices, and central supply processing units. 

Program Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of the AAS Surgical Technology curriculum, graduates should be able to:  

  • Apply basic principles of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and microbiology during the perioperative phases of patient care.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of surgical technology skills by successfully accomplishing controlled learning activities.
  • Practice responsible and accountable behavior within the role and competencies of the surgical technologist. 
  • Communicate professionally with all members of the perioperative team. 

This will be accomplished by preparing competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains, and meeting or exceeding the criteria set forth in the current CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Surgical Technology and the 7th edition of the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology. 

Upon completion of the surgical technology program at GTCC, graduates are eligible to take the National Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. 

The GTCC Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA). 

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 18

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 16.75

Summer Semester

  • SUR 122
    BB Surgical Procedures I Credits: 2.25
  • SUR 123
    BB SUR Clinical Practice I Credits: 3

Total Credits: 5.25

Fall Semester II

Total Credits: 12

Spring Semester II

Total Credits: 14

Total credit hours required for degree: 66

Electives

1. Social/Behavioral Science Elective

Choose one course from:

2. Communications Elective

Choose one course from:

3. Second English Elective

Choose one course from: 

4. Humanities/Fine Arts Elective

Choose one course from:

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Associate in Arts, Pre-Surgical Technology Pathway

A 10 10 0 ST

Contact: (336) 334-4822, ext. 50439

Limited Entry Pre-Health Program Pathway

GTCC is an open access institution, however many of our programs have enrollment requirements for admission.  Limited Enrollment Pathways help to identify students who are awaiting acceptance into Limited Enrollment Programs while they complete entry requirements to qualify for admission.  Students who are unable to qualify for admission to Limited Enrollment Programs within one year will be removed from the Limited Enrollment Pathway, and will remain enrolled in the Associate in Arts (A10100) degree program.

Semester I

Total Credits: 15

Semester II

Total Credits: 15

Semester III

Total Credits: 15

Semester IV

  • Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Credits: 3 
  • General Education Elective Credits: 3 
  • General Education Elective Credits: 3 
  • Other Required/Pre-Major Elective Credits: 3 
  • Other Required/Pre-Major Elective Credits: 3 

Total Credits: 15

Course Requirements for Associate in Arts, Pre-Surgical Technology Pathway (60 Credits)

General Education Requirements

The general education common course pathway includes study in the areas of English, communication; humanities and fine arts; social and behavioral sciences; natural sciences and mathematics.

English Composition

The following two English compositions courses are required:

Humanities/Fine Arts

The following courses are required:

Humanities/Fine Arts Elective

Take three (3) credits from the following list:

Social/Behavioral Sciences

The following courses are required:

Social/Behavioral Science Electives

Choose one (1) course from the following list:

Mathematics

The following course is required:

Natural Sciences

The following course is required:

General Education Electives

Take eight (8) credits from the following list:

Other Required Hours

Academic Transition and Pathway Requirements

The following courses are required:

General Education / Pre-Major Electives

Choose six (6) credits from the following list of courses:

Footnotes:

1. WBL-111 is not transferable and can only be utilized as the 61st hour of the program.

Total Credits: 60

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Surgical Technology program has a selective admission process with a limited enrollment of 36 students for the Associate in Applied Science degree.

Students interested in applying for this program must follow the guidelines in the Surgical Technology Admission Packet linked above under the section called "Admission Information."

John Ratliff, Program Director

Financial aid is available if you qualify. Please visit the Financial Aid web page or call the Financial Aid office at 336-334-4822, option 3.

Accepted students will receive a letter acknowledging their acceptance into the program with additional information about an orientation session before the start of classes. At the orientation, students will receive information about health requirements, background/drug screening, clinical requirements, etc.

Students who are not accepted may want to apply for the next admission in the same program. A Limited Entry Admission advisor can assist students with how to improve their ranking or choose another program to consider.

Students will begin having clinical experiences in area surgical centers and hospitals in the second semester of the program. They will spend 17 hours per week, two days a week, in the student role and are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients under the supervision of agency staff and/or GTCC faculty.

Tuition Rates and Fees (All tuition fees are subject to change)
In-State Tuition Credit Hours Out-of-State Tuition
$76.00 1 $268.00
$152.00 2 $536.00
$228.00 3 $804.00
$304.00 4 $1,072.00
$380.00 5 $1,340.00
$456.00 6 $1,608.00
$532.00 7 $1,876.00
$608.00 8 $2,144.00
$684.00 9 $2,412.00
$760.00 10 $2,680.00
$836.00 11 $2,948.00
$912.00 12 $3,216.00
$988.00 13 $3,484.00
$1,064.00 14 $3,752.00
$1,140.00 15 $4,020.00
$1,216.00 16 or more $4,288.00

The tuition rates listed above do not include student fees.

Student Fees

Student Activity Fee
Credit Hours Fee
1 to 11 credit hours $15.00
12 or more credit hours $26.25

(Assessed each fall and spring semester)

Campus Access, Parking, Security Fee 
Credit Hours Fee
1 to 11 credit hours $25.00
12 or more credit hours $50.00

(Assessed each fall, spring and summer semester)

Computer Use and Technology Fee
Credit Hours Fee
1 to 11 credit hours $10.00
12 or more credit hours $16.00

(Assessed each fall, spring and summer semester)

Student Accident Insurance
Semester Fee
Fall $3.30
Spring $3.30
Summer $1.20

(Per curriculum student)

Malpractice Insurance
Timeframe Fee
Per semester $8.50
Per year $17.00

(Assessed in specific programs)

Additional Expenses
Item Fee
Scrubs $30.00
CST Exam $247.00

Students who successfully complete the Associate in Applied Science degree are eligible to take the CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) exam. The certification, while not required by all healthcare agencies, may open additional employment opportunities for graduates.