Surgical Technology
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Nationally Recognized as “PAE Elite Twenty Program”
Advisor: Sandra I. Allen
What is a Surgical Technologist? Surgical Technologists, often referred to as “scrub nurse”, “scrub tech” or “operating room tech”, are integral members of the operating room team. Their role includes assisting the physician during surgery by preparing and handling instruments, equipment, supplies and medications.
Job opportunities: Surgical Technologists usually work within the operating room itself which may offer specialization in specific fields such as orthopedics, plastics, ENT, ophthalmic or cardiovascular. However technologists may qualify for work within various medical fields such as: dental assistants, veterinary assistants, procurement technicians and instrument processing technicians without much more education than on the job training. As medical technology advances, so do the opportunities for the working surgical technologist.
Curriculum: The curriculum is designed as hybrid courses of lab, classroom, online instruction and surgery clinicals to provide theoretical foundations of operating room techniques. The student will learn skills in a competency-based clinical lab and apply learned skills in the clinical facilities. Within the operating room, the student will observe, and then participate in a supervised position. The student will then be expected to advance to a high level of independence by their internship.
Students who enter the program are required to rotate through clinical sites. Some clinical rotations are outside of the Great Falls area. Transportation and housing costs are the responsibility of the student.
Upon completion of the Surgical Technology Program, students will be prepared to begin a career as a surgical technologist. Students are prepared to sit for the national Program Assessment Examination (PAE) and for the national examination to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).
The Surgical Technology Program will meet or exceed Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST) benchmark standards on student retention, PAE and/or CST exam results, graduate job placement, employer satisfaction, and graduate satisfaction.
Outcomes - Graduates are prepared to:
- Work with surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other health professionals in providing direct or indirect patient care while demonstrating positive work ethic, professionalism and appropriate interpersonal skills in the surgical setting;
- Practice professional, value directed actions based on didactic and clinical knowledge, ethical principles and legal standards as a member of the surgical team;
- Organize surgical instrumentation, supplies, and equipment in an efficient manner while utilizing principles of aseptic technique for physical preparation and maintenance of the surgical environment;
- Perform under pressure in stressful and emergency surgical situations; and
- Demonstrate understanding of biomedical sciences and technology as they apply to the patient focused events that occur in the operating room.
Application and Registration: The Surgical Technology Program has a limited number of students per year due to clinical space and various other factors. This requires the student to complete a conditional application one semester prior to the semester they plan to begin the program. Program begins only in the spring semester. Please call for an appointment to obtain this application from the Program Director.
For more detailed information please visit:
www.msugf.edu/academics/healthsci/Programs/SurgicalTechCert.htm
Program accreditation: This program is nationally accredited through CAAHEP, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, 727-210-2350, mail@caahep.org in collaboration with the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST).
Estimated Resident Program Cost:
| Tuition and Fees | $5999 |
| Application Fee | $30 |
| Insurance | $560 |
| Books/Supplies | $1850 |
| TOTAL: | $8439 |
Prerequisite Courses
| Course | No. | Title | Credits |
| BIO | 107** | Fundamentals of Human Bio/Lab | 4+ |
| BIO | 213** | Anatomy & Physiology I with lab | 4+ |
| PSY | 101 | General Psychology OR | |
| COMM | 135 | Interpersonal Communication | 3+ |
| AH | 145 | Introduction to Medical Terminology | 1+ |
| BIO | 214* | Anatomy & Physiology II with lab | 4+ |
| MATH | 103** | Introductory Algebra | 4+ |
| ENGL | 119** | Introduction to College Writing OR | |
| ENGL | 124** | Business & Professional Communication | 3+ |
SUBTOTAL |
23 |
Program Course Requirements After Formal Acceptance
The courses below are to be taken in the order that they are listed.
Admission into the Surgical Technology program is mandatory to qualify to take the courses below. Contact
Program Director for application materials
A grade of “C-” or above must be achieved in all courses to advance and graduate from the program.
Spring Semester 1
| Course | No. | Title | Credits |
| PHIL | 238 | Medical Ethics | 3+ |
| BIO | 280* | Microbiology and Communicable Diseases | 4+ |
| SURG | 101*T | Introduction to Safe Patient Care | 3+ |
| SURG | 109* | Surgical Procedures Lab I | 3+ |
| SURG | 154*T | Surgical Pharmacology | 3+ |
SUBTOTAL |
16 |
Fall Semester 2
| Course | No. | Title | Credits |
| SURG | 202*T | Operating Room Techniques | 5† |
| SURG | 201*T | Surgical Procedures I | 4† |
| SURG | 110* | Surgical Procedures Lab II | 3† |
| SURG | 192* | Clinical Experience I | 4† |
SUBTOTAL |
16 |
Spring Semester 2
| Course | No. | Title | Credits |
| SURG | 205*T | Surgical Procedures II | 5† |
| SURG | 193* | Clinical Experience II | 5† |
| SURG | 194* | Internship | 5† |
SUBTOTAL |
15 |
(Courses marked with a “T” are taught online by UM-COT in Missoula, MT through a collaborative program agreement.)
Total Program Credits: 70~
~ Many students need preliminary math and English courses before enrolling in the program requirements. These courses may increase the total number of program credits. Students should review their math and English placement before planning out their full program schedules.
+ A grade of "C-" or above required for graduation
* Indicates prerequisites needed
** Placement in course(s) is determined by placement assessment
