Surgical Technology - AAS
About This Degree
The Surgical Technician Program is an Associate Degree program that can be completed in four semesters in addition to one semester of prerequisites and an externship of a minimum of 120 surgical cases following didactic training.
The program prepares and trains individuals for a career in surgical technology. Surgical Technicians assist in operations under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses and other surgical personnel. Credentialing in Surgical Technology is required by an increasing number of states, in order to work in the field and is often required by employers. Although in the state of Utah, a Surgical Technologist can work without certification; as part of the ST Program, once the program is accredited each student will be required to sit for the surgical technology credentialing exam. This will be administered upon the successful completion of the ST program and prior to graduation. NBSTSA requires that a student must graduate from an accredited program before they sit for the national credentialing exam (CST).
Students interested in the Surgical Technology (ST) Program must complete a ST Program Application, be accepted and provide all required documents PRIOR to registering for ST classes. Once the application process is complete, the student will be invited to interview with program faculty. Interviews will help the faculty determine if students will be able to comply with the requirements of the program including travel to clinical rotations, meeting surgical case requirements, turning in assignments, participating in interactions with fellow students and instructors, maintaining a GPA of 3.0 throughout the program, participating in orientation, and receiving instruction through a blended delivery format. Please note that there are no additional charges for distance education delivery and all technological requirements are provided by the University including laptops for student use.
ADVISING
At a Glance
College: College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
Department: Technology, Design and Technical Education
USU Locations:
Program Requirements
Career And Outcomes
Career Opportunities
The program prepares and trains individuals for a career in surgical technology. Surgical Technologists assist in operations under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses and other surgical personnel.
Job Outlook
USU Locations
*This degree is available at various USU locations.
Labs must be completed at USU Eastern (Price) or Blanding campus.
Admission
Admission Requirements
A GPA of 3.0 is required for admission into the Surgical Technician (ST) Program.
You can download the application packet by visiting the Health Professions website.
Program Requirements
Immunizations and Background Check Requirements
Required Immunizations: All immunizations below are required. Administrative and Clinical Experience will not accept students that have not met immunization requirements.
- Twinrix (Hepatitis A and B series): The first injection of this series needs to be completed prior to semester one or in the initial weeks of the semester. The second injection is given one month after the first injection. The third injection is completed six months after the first injection of the series.
- MMR: Documentation of two MMR immunizations or a titer indicating immunity must be completed prior to the end of the first semester. If a student does not have childhood immunization records it is recommended that he or she begin these immunizations or obtain a titer before beginning the program. All students born after 1964 who have received their MMR immunization will require a booster.
- TB: Documentation of a recent two-step TB test is required during the initial weeks of semester one. Students can have this test up to 3 months before starting the program. TB tests are good for one year. If a student's test expires prior to completion of the program, he or she will need to repeat it.
- Varicella: Students must have two chicken pox vaccinations or a titer indicating immunity.
- Tdap: Students must have at least one pertussis immunization as an adult, within the past two years.
- Meningococcal: Students must have one dose.
- Influenza: Students may be required to have this immunization seasonally as required by the facility.
Background Check/Drug Screen: Students are required to order and pay for a background check and drug screen through CastleBranch prior to being accepted into the Surgical Technician program. Blanding students will complete background check through CastleBranch and the drug screen will be completed on campus with instructor coordination.
CPR Requirement: Students must take a Healthcare Provider CPR course and receive CPR and first aid cards to meet the CPR requirement. Periodically, CPR courses are offered on campus. Please make arrangements to attend (including notifying other instructors). This must be completed by the middle of the first semester. CPR certification is usually valid for 2 years. CNA Certificate of Completion: Students must provide proof of a CNA course completion certificate to be included in the application packet.
Surgical Externship Orientation: Prior to initiating any surgical externship, students are required to complete an orientation with the sites that they will be attending for their surgical experience. At times this may require students who are completing externships at more than one surgical facility to attend orientations for each worksite.
Clinical Experience: Surgical Technician students who demonstrate proficiency in all areas of course work and lab settings will be placed in surgical externship rotations. Surgical Externships rotations are a critical portion of the students' learning experience. Therefore, students will be expected to attend all assigned surgical externship rotations without exception.
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