Surgical Technology

Surgical Technology Overview

Surgical Technologists assist in surgical operations under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses,
or other surgical personnel. Surgical Technologists are members of operating room teams, which most
commonly include surgeons, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses. Surgical Technologists are trained
to maintain the sterile field, preventing the risk of infection during surgery. Before an operation, Surgical
Technologist help prepare the operating room by setting up the sterile field with surgical instruments and
equipment, drapes, medication, and supplies. Technologists also help the surgical team put on sterile
gowns and gloves.

During surgery, technologists anticipate the needs of the surgeon by passing instruments, holding
retractors, preparing suture, counting instruments, sponges and sharps and help apply dressings. After
surgery, the technologist assists with room turn-over procedures in order to prepare for the next patient.
They also decontaminate and prepare surgical instruments for sterilization.

Classes for the Rhodes State College Surgical Technology program will be held at the NEW Borra Center for Health Sciences, where a state-of-the-art operating room setting is available for students to experience and feel comfortable in an actual operating room environment. Click here to schedule a tour of the Borra Center. 

Scholarships

Up to $600 scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Contact your Student Navigator to get registered and see if you qualify.  

Rhodes State has been awarded a Choose Ohio First (COF) Scholarship grant by the Ohio Department of Higher Education. The grant provides scholarships to students majoring in disciplines that significantly strengthen Ohio’s competitiveness in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine (STEMM) education and industry.

Choose Ohio First

Surgical Technology Plan of Study

View Plan of Study

Highlights

• There is a new cohort accepted into the Surgical Technology program each fall. The program is four semesters, not including prerequisites.
• Median Pay in 2020 was $49,710/year or $23.10/hour
• Credits transfer toward a bachelors degree. 

Career Opportunities

A Surgical Technologist works directly with the surgeon in the OR to handle instruments, supplies, and equipment, and to assist the surgeon as needed. The Surgical Technologist provides direct patient care and is responsible for maintaining sterile and safe conditions during surgery. A Surgical Technologist may work in surgery, medical sales, or in several other fields. Learn more about this career at www.ast.org or www.nbstsa.org.

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for Surgical Technologists in 2020 was $23.90 per hour.
• Employment growth will continue with advancements in medical technology and the aging population.
• Students in this program will get access to world class equipment at the new Borra Center for Health Sciences.

additional info about the career

Testimonials

“Our community has faced significant shortages in the field of Surgical Technology for years. In this time we have seen many students come through our organization, inquiring what pathway they should take to become a Surgical Technologist. Until recently, options for this degree program have been limited causing many student to choose different career paths or alternative pathways for this field that are time consuming. We are very grateful that Rhodes State College has chosen to onboard this degree program within our region.” 

- Tiffany Neeley, BSN, RN

“My partners and I have recognized the need for additional surgical technicians in nearly every hospital where we work. The current shortage in Surgical Technicians has created tremendous job opportunities for those who complete the program at Rhodes State College.  There are employment opportunities for Surgical Technician students upon completion of their training and the hospitals will benefit from the availability of qualified candidates.”

- Dr. Michael Wieser, M.D., Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery.

Real-World Experience

The students will also complete 675 hours of clinical experience before joining the workforce. This will include areas of general surgery, orthopedics, OB-GYN, ENT, and more.

Upon completion of this program, graduates will have completed the academic classroom requirements, as well as the clinical requirements of 675 clinical hours with the minimum of 120 surgical cases. 30 of these cases must be General Surgery cases and 90 cases in various surgical specialties, excluding General Surgery. 

Program Briefing

Our program briefings are designed to introduce you to the profession, job opportunities, program requirements, and other important information you will need to get started. 

Register for Program Briefing

The Surgical Technology Program Goal

The goal of the Surgical Technology program is to prepare entry-level graduates in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

Accreditation Information

The Surgical Technology Program at Rhodes State College has a site visit scheduled for pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org). This step in the process is neither a status of accreditation nor a guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

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