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.
Students of Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited programs are required to take the national certification exam administered by the National Board on Certification in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) within a four-week period prior to or after graduation.
Accreditation Statement
The Cleveland Community College Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).
CAAHEP
9355-113th St. N. #7709
Seminole, FL, 33775
Phone: (727) 210-2350
ARC/STSA
19751 Mainstreet #339
Parker CO, 80138
Phone: (303) 694-9361
Passing and Employment Rates
2022 Pass Rate: 75%
2022 Employment Rate: 100%
2023 Pass Rate: 86%
2023 Employment Rate:100%
2024 Pass Rate: 85.7%
2024 Employment Rate: 100%
Admission and Selection Criteria
CCC has established admissions and selection procedures to ensure students are admitted and selected in a consistent and equitable manner. Completion of these requirements will not guarantee admission to the program. All applicants are encouraged to attend a Health Sciences Symposium, which are held in June and November, to learn more information about the program.
All admissions criteria must be completed and submitted to the Admissions Office prior to the program deadline of January 25.
Admission Requirements
- Application to the College and NC Registry
- Health Sciences Application to the respective program
- Reading/English: Meet one of the following to demonstrate proficiency:
- Completion of ENG 111 or equivalent with a minimum grade of "C"
- Completion of prerequisites to be eligible to register for ENG 111 without corequisite (or currently enrolled)
- Have a 2.8 or higher unweighted high school GPA
- Provide satisfactory placement test scores
- Provide proof of completion of an associate or bachelor's degree
- Math: Meet one of the following to demonstrate proficiency:
- Completion of MAT 110 or higher with a minimum grade of "C
- Completion of prerequisites to be eligible to register for college-level math without corequisite
- Provide satisfactory placement test score
- Provide proof of completion of an associate or bachelor's degree
- Completion of BIO 168 with a grade of C or higher
Post-Provisional Acceptance Requirements
An email notification of provisional acceptance will be sent by February 20. The following must be completed to satisfy acceptance requirements:
- Attend program specific orientation
- Complete CCC Health Sciences Medical Form
- Criminal background check and 12-panel drug screen obtained through a secure compliance tracking database
- The following immunizations are required (more information will be provided during orientation):
- Complete 2-Step TB Test or IGRA
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza (required between 9/1 - 10/31) or of current Influenza Season
- Varicella
- Td or TDaP
- MMR
- Current eye exam. Based on the physician’s recommendation the student may be required to purchase glasses or contacts to be in program.
- CPR Certification will be offered the first week of class (first fall semester only) and must remain current throughout the program.
- Comply with the Technical Standards outlined for the program
- Highly recommended for all students to have health insurance
Clinical facilities may require criminal background check, drug screenings, and/or proof of US citizenship prior to or during participation in the clinical portion of program. A student who is unable to complete the clinical portion of a program will not be able to graduate. Criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, and/or proof of US citizenship may also be required after graduation by examination boards, state licensing boards, and employing agencies.
Program Goals
- To prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.
- Apply knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Medical Terminology within the surgical environment.
- Facilitate the surgical process by selecting sterile supplies, anticipating the needs of the surgeon, and assisting with perioperative duties.
- Demonstrate professional responsibility in performance, attitude, and personal conduct.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the skills and procedures required of a surgical technologist in a professional/clinical setting.
Surgical Technology Certificate or Diploma to Associate Degree Pathway
Admission Requirements for Pathway
This Pathway is designed for students who have already earned a certificate or diploma in Surgical Technology from a CAAHEP accredited program to complete the degree.
- Application to the College and NC Residency
- Current certification in Surgical Technology (CST) through National Board on Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
- Letter of recommendation from current supervisor.
- Employed as a working surgical technologist for at least one consecutive year. Must have verification of employment in the letter of recommendation on a company letterhead.
Post-Provisional Acceptance Requirements
Students will be notified through email of acceptance.
- Students will be required to meet the CCC curriculum for graduation requirements.
- All SUR classes for the Associate Degree Surgical Technology Pathway will be offered online for all students currently working in a clinical setting related to surgical technology.
Essential Functions and Technical Standards
Purpose Statement
The following standards reflect reasonable expectations of students. In adopting these standards, the program is mindful of the patient’s right to safe and high-quality healthcare by students. The student must be able to apply the knowledge and skills necessary to function in a broad variety of clinical situations while providing high-quality patient care. These standards reflect what may be required for employment of the entry-level professional.
It is important students admitted possess cognitive and critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills, behavioral skills, physical skills, and communication skills necessary to practice in the field. Reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis, but each student must be able to independently perform all performance standards demanded by the clinical site and the College. Accommodations will be provided in accordance with Disabilities Services at Cleveland Community College. The following abilities/skills are required, with or without accommodations. Students must meet the following technical standards and maintain satisfactory demonstration of these standards for progression throughout the program. Students unable to meet these technical standards will not be able to complete the program. The examples used are not all-inclusive.| Capability | Standard | Examples of Technical Standard Found in Program and Related to Industry |
| Cognitive Ability/Critical Thinking Skills | Possess critical thinking skills adequate for making the adjustments necessary to meet the challenges in the operation room arena. Possess short and long-term memory sufficient to perform tasks that are required. |
Check the validity of an action. Take into consideration multiple perspectives. Examine the implications and consequences of a belief. Make decisions regarding surgical case management and the adjustments necessary to meet the challenges in the operation room arena. Be able to demonstrate satisfactory performance on written examinations, including mathematical computations. |
| Physical | Tactile Skills: Possess a sense of touch sufficient to perform physical assessment and functions. Distinguish pressure and palpation when retracting tissue and when inserting a urinary catheter. |
Seize, hold, grasp, and turn with hands; pass instruments, hold retractors, and cuts sutures. Scrub arms, don gloves, and gown. Be able to distinguish between instruments by touch and feel if not able to take your eyes off the patient. |
| Motor Skills: Possess fine and gross motor skills adequate to assist the surgeon with surgery. |
Use power equipment, handle microsurgery instruments, insert catheters, calibrate equipment and maintain a sterile field. Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Drape patients and equipment without contamination of the surgical field. |
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| Mobility Skills: Be able to function in a laboratory setting for three hours and in a clinical setting for seven hours per day. | Be able to reach, stoop, bend, kneel, and crouch; ambulate without assistive devices. Be able to stand and/or walk up to six hours a day without nourishment or restroom breaks. Be able to lift instrument trays or exert force up to 50 pounds. Be able to push heavy equipment or patients on stretchers. |
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| Auditory Skills: Hearing ability (with corrective devices as needed) to listen and communicate with others while wearing a surgical mask. | Be able to hear instructions from doctors and other members of the surgical team when sounds may be muffled by medical equipment or through surgical masks. Be able to listen to monitors. Function when many actions/sounds are happening at the same time. |
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| Visual Skills: Complete an eye examination that includes a retinal scan to establish a baseline assessment of the eye’s health. Possess visual acuity to differentiate microsurgical instrumentation and suture. Possess depth perception to adequately assist surgeon(s) while working under a microscope. Possess excellent hand-eye coordination. |
Be able to read a preference card. Be able to mix medications accurately. Be able to cut a suture under a microscope. Demonstrate sufficient visual and tactile ability to load a fine (10-0) suture onto needles and needle holders with/without corrective lenses and while wearing safety glasses properly, quickly, and safely. Be able to discern small numbers and work on gauges on medical equipment and supplies used in surgery. Be able to distinguish between colors and shades of color. Demonstrate sufficient peripheral vision to anticipate and function while in the sterile surgical environment. |
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| Olfactory Skills: Differentiate smells in surgical arena. |
Distinguish between drugs, liquids, and gaseous chemicals. | |
| Interpersonal Skills | Ability to use interpersonal skills to be able to work well with various team members and staff through verbal and non-verbal communication. Ability to listen and question, problem solve, take responsibility for actions, and be accountable for actions. |
Demonstrate respect for the patient, their privacy, and family members. Develop and maintain effective, mature, and sensitive professional relationships with other members of the healthcare team. Establish rapport with patients, families, and colleagues. Respect different religious and cultural beliefs displayed by a diverse population. |
| Behavioral Skills | Be able to respond in an emotionally controlled manner in all situations. Accept responsibility for total patient care, utilize acceptable coping mechanisms in a highly stressed environment and avoid demonstrating personal stress or frustration when interacting with staff and peers. The student must not abuse alcohol or take drugs, including prescribed drugs that may alter speed or perception of surroundings. |
Work as a team member. Tolerate physically taxing workloads. Function effectively under stress. Demonstrate self-motivation. Accept criticism and respond appropriately. Take responsibility for your own actions and self-report errors or omissions. Accept constructive criticism and make appropriate adjustments to work methods. |
| Communication Skills | Ability to communicate with others by speech, hearing, reading, writing, language skills, and computer literacy. Provide constant communication for following the patient from the preoperative area to the postoperative area. |
Read, comprehend, speak, and write legibly in the English language. Provide clear and audible directions to patients. Relay the patient’s status to those with a need to know per HIPAA. Know how to bring in an interpreter for the population that does not speak English. |
| Occupational Exposure | Possess the ability to self-protect by using standard precautions when encountering any patient. |
Exposure to blood and body fluids and communicable and infectious diseases, requiring the wearing of personal protective equipment, i.e., masks, goggles, and gloves. Follow Blood Borne Pathogen safety standards. Working with sharps and medical waste; exposure to sticks, and burns. Exposure to latex and nitrile products if allergic. Exposure to assault and battery Environmental hazards – slippery floors, various levels of lighting, various room temperatures, etc. Handle hazardous medications such as chemotherapy drugs. Be able to protect self and patient from radiation, and different toxic sterilants. Legal/ethical dilemmas Liability issues |
Estimated Total Cost for Program
| Fee Description | Year 1 | Year 2 |
| Tuition (SUR Only) | $2570.00 | $822.00 |
| Program Fee | $550.00 | $0 |
| Lab Fees | $36.00 | $108.00 |
| Background, Drug Screen, & Immunization Tracker | $135.00 | $82.00 |
| Clinical Tracker | $40.00 | $40.00 |
| Health Science Fee (Uniforms Included) | $250.00 | $0 |
| Malpractice Insurance | $16.00 | $16.00 |
| CPR Card | $10.00 | $0 |
| Textbooks | $272.00 | $96.00 |
| Pinning Fee | $0 | $60.00 |
| Estimated Total | $3879.00 | $1224.00 |
| Estimated Grand Total (2 Years) | $5103.00 | |
Understanding the Ranking Process
When all admissions requirements have been met, qualified applicants are ranked using a point system. Points will be awarded for each related course, completed by the deadline, based on the grade earned in the course. If the course is repeated, the highest grade earned will be used in the ranking.
- A = 4 points
- B = 3 points
- C = 2 points (no points are awarded for grades lower than C)
AP credit is based on the individual scores:
- 5 = 4 points
- 4 = 3 points
- 3 = 2 points (no points are awarded for scores lower than 3)
Related course points will be added to create the total score for the ranking. Applicants with the highest-ranked scores will be accepted. In the event of a tie, the GPA will be used to determine ranking order. An alternate list will be maintained in ranking order, and alternates will only be accepted if a space becomes available. Applicants not admitted to the program must reapply. The below chart can be used to track related course points.
| Course | Grade | Points Earned |
| BIO 168 | ||
| BIO 169 | ||
| CNA (with clinical experience) | ||
| ENG 111 | ||
| PSY 150 or SOC 210 |
Reentry Process
- All requests for reentry must be approved by the Admissions Office and program director prior to implementation.
- Only one reentry will be considered.
Applied and Not Accepted to Program
Students not selected to the program may reapply for the next year by completing a new health sciences application. All applications for admission must be updated annually.
Grading Policy
All SUR courses must receive a grade of B or higher, and all other courses in the program must receive a grade of C or higher.
Clinical Requirement
The student must meet all Clinical Case Requirements by the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technologists, 7th Edition. Students must complete one hundred twenty (120) scrubbed cases amongst different specialties, with ninety (90) cases in the first scrub role.