Surgical Technology
Operating on a Successful Career
Our Surgical Technology program prepares you for an exciting career in a rapidly growing profession that is continuously evolving with new technology and procedures. You'll learn essential surgical techniques, sterilization procedures, and patient care through hands-on training in our state-of-the-art facility. We will help you develop a commitment to aseptic technique and surgical conscience, ensuring you always put patient needs first. With the healthcare field continuously evolving with new technology and procedures, you'll graduate ready to assist surgeons and provide the highest level of surgical patient care. Be rewarded daily knowing you've made a difference in patients' lives.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Learn Surgical Instrumentation and Procedural Techniques
You will be able to identify and properly handle surgical instruments while understanding procedural sequences for different surgeries. You’ll develop the ability to anticipate the surgeon’s needs, ensuring smooth and efficient surgical procedures that benefit patient outcomes.
Demonstrate Excellence in Aseptic Technique and Infection Prevention
You’ll learn the principles of aseptic technique in order to create and maintain a sterile operating room environment to help minimize the risk of surgical-site infections.
Develop Effective Communication Skills
You will learn to collaborate effectively with surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to provide the best and safest outcomes for surgical patients n high-pressure environments as an integral member of the operating room team.
Surgical Technology
A.A.S.
Locations: Lincoln / Online
The Surgical Technology degree prepares you to work alongside surgeons, nurses and other healthcare professionals as a part of the surgical team. Students learn how to maintain sterile environments, prepare operating rooms, hand instruments and assist during surgical procedures while ensuring patient safety throughout the operation.
ESTIMATED TUITION
$8,000
CREDIT HOURS
63.5
PROGRAM LENGTH
5-7 Terms
SCHEDULE
Full-Time / Part-Time (Online)
STARTING TERM
Fall (part-Time) / Spring (Full-Time)
WHY SCC?
Exceptional Faculty Support and Personalized Instruction
Our program is one of the only programs nationwide to have five full-time instructors plus numerous adjunct instructors. This faculty-to-student ratio provides high-contact relationships that directly support student success.
Superior Clinical Experience
You’ll spend almost 500 hours in actual surgical procedures with real patients, completing approximately 150-200 cases during your clinical experience. This far exceeds the 120 cases required for accreditation, giving you significantly more hands-on experience and confidence before entering the workforce.
Flexible Online Learning with Strategic Lab Locations
Our Surgical Technology program is one of the only programs nationwide offered completely online with labs at approved locations in Kearney, Lexington, Lincoln, and Norfolk. Clinical experiences are completed at local hospitals, allowing you to train where you live.
Early Career Opportunities and National Certification
You will take the National Certification Exam before you graduate, earning your CST certification from the National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assistants which qualifies you to work anywhere in Nebraska or the U.S. In addition, you have the ability to be hired prior to graduation and be paid during your clinical experience depending on the healthcare facility’s policy.
CAREER OUTCOMES
Surgical Technologist
Surgical technologists assist in surgical operation under the supervision of surgeons. They prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors during surgeries by passing instruments and other supplies while maintaining sterile technique. Surgical technologists work in hospitals, surgery centers, labor and delivery department, doctor’s offices, and as a private or traveling surgical technologist.
Surgical Technology Clinicals
In what term do students start clinicals?
Full Time: Summer & Fall Terms. Part Time: Fall & Spring Terms
Where do students participate in clinicals?
Students perform clinical rotations in a variety of facilities in Lincoln and throughout the state of Nebraska, including large hospitals, outpatient and specialty surgery centers as well as labor and delivery departments. Face-to-face students in Lincoln will be required to travel to Omaha for some of their clinical experience.
In general, what time of day and days of the week can students expect to attend clinical?
In general, clinical experience occurs between the hours of 6 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Do students need to contact clinical sites prior to acceptance/placement?
Students enrolled in the online/distance cohort will complete their clinical experience in hospitals/ surgery centers in which affiliation agreements have been established with the SCC Surgical Technology program. The program will assist students in securing these sites, but the student may be required to drive in order to attend a site that provides a caseload variety necessary to meet accreditation caseload requirements and may need to attend multiple facilities as well.
How many clinical hours do students complete in the program?
495 hours
Surgical Technology Program Accreditation
Additional Program Requirements
Getting Started
Applying to an SCC health science program involves two steps. First, students take required courses to prepare for their health science career. Second, once these courses are completed, they can apply to the program of their choice.
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution
Southeast Community College is a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution (NC-SARA) institution. As such, SCC is unable to offer online or distance courses to students in the following areas at this time: American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
State Licensure or Certification Requirements
The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Students will sit for the National Certification Examination prior to graduation. Students who pass the exam will receive the official certification certificate from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting upon graduation. This is a national certification and is accepted in all 50 states. Privileges may vary by state, depending on each state’s laws and guidelines.