Program Overview
Scrub in for a thrilling, fast-paced career as a surgical team member assisting physicians in the operating room. You’ll learn about surgical procedures and instruments as well as foundations in pharmacology and pathophysiology. Our program includes a 160-hour surgical lab simulation and a 20-week clinical externship in the field for exciting real-world experience. You’ll work side-by-side with a surgical team passing instruments, cutting sutures, holding retractors, and suctioning body fluids. You may even learn to use endovascular and laparoscopic equipment, robotics, and lasers. Whether you become a Surgical Technologist or go on to pursue a career as a physician assistant, labor and delivery specialist, medical sales representative, nurse, or another medical role, you’ll be well prepared to succeed with critical thinking skills and experience-based knowledge.
Read More The Associate in Science Degree in Surgical Technology is a part of NEIT’s allied health education programs and prepares practitioners specifically for the operating room scrub role. During operative procedures, the surgical technologist functions as an integral part of the surgical team and collaborates with the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and registered nurse, performing duties vital for surgical patients’ safety and care. Responsibilities include preparing sterile operative equipment and supplies, instrumentation during operative procedures, and other intra-operative patient care activities. Common duties include operating sterilizers, lights, suction machines, electrosurgical units, laparoscopic equipment, and preparing the patient’s surgical site. The Surgical Technology program curriculum integrates both theory and practice of surgical procedures using laboratory experiences in a completely equipped, on-campus simulated operating room and in actual operating rooms. Students study a comprehensive background in anatomy and physiology and the proper medical terminology of the systems. Surgical procedures courses include an appreciation of the person having surgery, knowledge of common conditions requiring surgery, and the surgical procedure and patient care skills. Ethical and legal dimensions of the work and profession of the Surgical Technologist are part of the program. Supervised clinical practice in surgical environments prepares students realistically. The surgical tech program graduates are ready for entry-level positions in hospital operating room departments, obstetrical departments, surgical supply/processing departments, outpatient surgical centers, and surgeon office practices. Program graduates are also eligible to continue for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management with a Healthcare Management/Respiratory Care (MGTH) concentration. Our faculty has many years of experience in the field. Because of our small class and lab sizes, they’ll get to know you and your career aspirations. They will take special care to place you at a suitable clinical rotation site. Our students and graduates have completed clinical rotations and/or secured positions with:Full Description
Potential Career Opportunities
As a certified surgical technologist, there are various positions where students who graduate from our program can apply the skills and knowledge they have gained. Some of the examples of the jobs available for graduates of our Surgical Technology program include the following:
Surgical Technologist
Medical Sales Representative
Research and Product Development
Material Management or Central Supply
Surgical Technology Educator
FAQ
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Is Surgical Tech an associate degree?
Surgical Technology is commonly offered as an Associate Degree in Health Sciences. A program like this prepares students to work under a surgeon’s supervision in various medical settings, including inpatient hospital operating rooms, emergency rooms, and outpatient care centers.
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What can I do with an associate degree in surgical technology?
With an associate degree in surgical technology, surgical technologists may find work across medical settings as a surgical technologist who assists surgeons, an endoscopy technician, pharmacy technician, sterile processing technician, and more. You may pursue additional career paths by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the subject.
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How long does it take to become a surgical technologist?
Surgical technologists may begin work after completing an 18-month associate degree surgical technology program.