Surgical Technology, Associate in Applied Science
Total Program Credits: 63
Prepares the student to work as part of a team providing surgical patient care. Surgical technologists most often function in the scrub role, but their responsibilities may include a variety of duties before, during and after surgery.
A variety of employment opportunities exist in hospitals, surgical centers, birthing centers and other health care agencies. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the need for surgical technologists will increase by approximately 7% between now and 2029.
The program includes theory, simulation laboratory and clinical components. Students receive supervised experience at several cooperating area hospitals.
Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education programs, 9355 - 113th Street N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, (727) 210-2350, in cooperation with the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, 6 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 110, Littleton, CO 80120, (303) 694-9262. Graduates qualify to apply to the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting for eligibility to sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist examination.
Program Prerequisites:
- High School diploma or GED;
- attendance at a Surgical Technology Information Session;
- must score at the college level or higher on the Reading and Writing placement exam or course equivalency;
- AHL 120◊ Comprehensive Medical Terminology;
- BIS 136◊ Functional Human Anatomy OR BIS 240 Human Anatomy & Physiology I;
- MAT 065 Foundations of Algebra OR must meet current college Math requirement for completion of MAT 065; and
- a criminal history records check with no disqualifying convictions is required prior to admission to the program.
Placement exam scores must not be more than two years old, and completion of all prerequisite Math, Science, and Allied Health courses must not be more than five years from the start of the program and must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.
Surgical technology courses must be taken in sequence and all program requirements must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.
Students must complete all health and clinical requirements (includes American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification, drug screening, and any additional information required by clinical site) prior to registration for SRT 205 and the requirements must be maintained through SRT 215.
Surgical Technology is a selective admission program with preference given to the most qualified individuals, as determined by a point system based on academic history related to completion of prerequisite courses and previous medical experience.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Surgical Technology program, the graduate will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of surgical technology skills by successfully accomplishing controlled learning activities.
- Employ information obtained from biological, social and psychological studies to promote quality patient care.
- Obtain and use knowledge in providing patient care to a diverse population.
- Apply acquired skills and knowledge of instrumentation within the clinical setting.
- Practice appropriate surgical asepsis and sterile technique in diverse patient care settings.
- Function as a competent surgical team member to deliver excellence in safe patient care.
- Demonstrate the development and consistent application of surgical conscience.
- Practice accountability, competence, and character demonstrative of a surgical technology professional.
- Practice ownership of learning, maintain responsibility and self-discipline to appraise, and incorporate lifelong learning.
(Reviewed Fall 2023)
Placement Measures
Program Map for Students
| AHL 202 ◊ Comprehensive Medical Ethics | Core Course | 3 |
| RHT 101 # ◊ English Rhetoric & Composition I | Communications Gen-ed | 3 |
| SRT 100 # Surgical Technology Basics | Core Course | 3 |
| SRT 110 # Basic Surgical Skills Theory | Core Course | 3 |
| SRT 111 # Basic Surgical Skills Lab | Core Course | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 15 |
| Meet with your Academic Advisor to create an academic plan.
Explore transfer institutions and admissions requirements by attending transfer events (if intending to transfer). |
Note: Grade of “C” or higher is an IAI requirement for RHT 101◊ and RHT 102◊.
| BIS 222 ◊ # Principles of Microbiology | Core Course | 4 |
| SRT 120 ◊ # Basic Surgical Procedures | Core Course | 5 |
| SRT 121 # Advanced Surgical Skills Lab | Core Course | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 12 |
| Meet with your Academic Advisor to update your academic (and transfer plan, if intending to transfer).
If intending to transfer, create a Transferology account to explore how coursework transfers and attend a Transfer 101 Workshop. |
Notes: Completion of BIS 222◊ must not be more than five years prior to the start of the program or may be taken during the program.
BIS 222◊ meets Triton's Math and/or Science general education requirement.
| PSY 100 ◊ Introduction to Psychology | Social and Behavioral Science Gen-ed | 3 |
| SRT 130 ◊ # Specialty Surgical Procedures | Core Course | 6 |
| SRT 131 # Surgical Simulation Lab | Core Course | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 12 |
| Meet with your Academic Advisor to update your academic (and transfer plan, if intending to transfer).
If intending to transfer, create a Transferology account to explore how coursework transfers and attend a Transfer 101 Workshop. |
| SOC 100 ◊ Introduction to Sociology | Social and Behavioral Science Gen-ed | 3 |
| SRT 200 # Professional Development | Core Course | 6 |
| SRT 205 # Clinical Experience I | Core Course | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 12 |
| Meet with your Academic Advisor to update your academic (and transfer plan, if intending to transfer).
Attend a Ready to Apply Workshop. (Minus the GECC Credential) |
| SPE 101 # ◊ Principles of Effective Speaking | Communications Gen-ed | 3 |
| SRT 210 # Certification Exam Prep | Core Course | 6 |
| SRT 215 # Clinical Experience II | Core Course | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 12 |
| Meet with your Academic Advisor to finalize your transfer plan and apply to your transfer institution(s) if intending to transfer.
Submit graduation petition by deadline (check for the specific date in catalog or syllabi.) |
All coursework must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.
Note: Grade of ‘C’ or high is an IAI requirement for RHT 101◊ and RHT 102◊. Students must complete RHT 101◊, with SPE 101◊, or RHT 101◊ with RHT 102◊. Students intending to transfer are encouraged to complete all three courses: RHT 101◊, RHT 102◊ and SPE 101◊ to meet university requirements.
See Associate in Applied Science Graduation Requirements by discipline: https://triton.smartcatalogiq.com/2024-2025/triton-college-catalog/applied-science-programs/associate-in-applied-science-degree-requirements/
See SRT course descriptions.
Chairperson: Gail Hoffman, Ext. 3921, email: gailhoffman@triton.edu
KEY
(AAS/CERT) |
| General Education |
Communications, Fine Arts, Humanities, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Social and Behavioral Science (see individual degree requirements). |
| Core Course |
Course(s) listed in a semester the student is required to take. |
| Program Elective |
Course(s) that faculty recommend and are listed in the ‘Program Electives’ section (if any) for this program. |
If intending to transfer, choose courses accepted by your transfer institution. |
| General Elective |
Course(s) chosen by the student, if needed, above and beyond core courses and program electives (if any), to complete the Program Total Credits. |
| ◊ symbol |
This course is articulated. (course transfers to 3 or more Illinois State schools, as an elective or equal course-to-course) |
| # symbol |
This course has a prerequisite. (course(s) student takes prior to taking this course) |