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  • Surgical Technology
    93% Graduate Employment/Transfer rate
    That's right! Ninety-three percent of SCC's 2022 graduates found work or continued their education.
    Graduate Report
    Surgical Technology.
    93% Graduate Employment/Transfer rate
    That's right! Ninety-three percent of SCC's 2022 graduates found work or continued their education.
    Graduate Report
     Health Sciences Animated Walk Through.
    Health Sciences Animated Walk Through. 
    Surgical Technology.
    93% Graduate Employment/Transfer rate
    That's right! Ninety-three percent of SCC's 2022 graduates found work or continued their education.
    Graduate Report
     Take a closer look at our program.
    Take a closer look at our program. 
    Rick Horne.
    Faculty Spotlight - Rick Horne
    Instructor uses many teaching methods to engage each student.
    More about Rick.
     

Surgical Technology

  •  Estimated Cost: $10,763.50

    Program Length: 5 semesters

    Locations: Lincoln / Online + Labs

    Start Term(s): Spring

    Awards Offered: AAS

    Program Description

    If you want to be rewarded daily for making a difference in a patient’s life, a career as a surgical technologist is ideal for you. Our program teaches you the skills necessary to become a successful surgical technologist. When you graduate, you will be able to anticipate the needs of the surgical team and assist the surgeon by holding retractors, cutting sutures, suctioning wounds, adjusting lights, and applying dressings.

    You are able to take classes at the Lincoln campus or online. Our online component is designed to accommodate those who live outside the Lincoln area, but within the state of Nebraska. Regardless of how you take your classes (in person or online), you will be required to take your labs either in Lincoln or at a designated lab closest to you (sites in Norfolk/Columbus, North Platte and Kearney/Grand Island/Hastings). You will also take clinicals at a pre-approved clinical site to achieve a specific number of completed surgical procedures requirement, including handing the instruments solo, prior to graduation.

    There will be three times you must travel to Lincoln:

    • Surgical Technology Program Orientation Day in January
    • First day of Summer term for an all-day pre-clinical lab
    • Last week of program to take the National Board Exam

    If you’d like more information about the program and program policies, please review the Surgical Technology Program Student Handbook (PDF).

    Our Surgical Technology program has trained surgical technologists for nearly 50 years. As a surgical technologist, you are a vital member of the surgical team. You will be a successful surgical technologist if you:

    • are able to execute the responsibilities of the program regarding attendance, assignments and record keeping
    • possess the ability to multitask efficiently
    • have the endurance to stand an entire shift if needed
    • are able to work efficiently
    • are detail oriented and able to work on a team
    • are able to communicate effectively (both verbal and written)
    • understand problem sensitivity (ability to tell when something is wrong or likely to go wrong)
    • have a strong commitment to patient safety
    • must be able to make decisions based on the use of logic and analytical skills

    START HERE: Please follow the steps on the Get Started Checklist (PDF) to complete the program application process.

    Admissions Resources:

    Learn more about the Surgical Technology profession by completing this Professional Awareness Activity (PDF).

    Surgical technologists are allied health professionals specifically trained to prepare the operating room, hand instruments, assist the surgeon, and manage the instruments after surgery. You can expect an average annual starting salary of $42,952. Career options include:

    • Certified Surgical Technologist in a Hospital or Surgery Center
    • Labor and Delivery Surgical Technologist
    • Certified Surgical Technologist in Labor and Delivery departments

    The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accrediting Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

    Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
    9355 113th St. N, #7709
    Seminole, FL 33775
    Phone: 727-210-2350
    Fax: 727-210-2354
    mail@caahep.org

    CAAHEP-logo-web

    Surgical Technology Program Outcomes (PDF)

    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.
    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.

    Casey Glassburner, CST, AAS, BS, MA
    Surgical Technology Program Chair
    8800 O Street
    Lincoln, NE 68520
    402-437-2786
    cglassburner@southeast.edu

    Amy Goracke, AAS, BS, CST, CSFA
    Instructor
    8800 O Street
    Lincoln, NE 68520
    402-437-2285
    agoracke@southeast.edu

    Rick Horne, CST, AAS, BS
    Instructor
    8800 O Street
    Lincoln, NE 68520
    402-437-2807
    rhorne@southeast.edu

    Laura Stallings, CST, AAS, BS
    Instructor
    8800 O Street
    Lincoln, NE 68520
    402-437-2885
    lstallings@southeast.edu

    Elliot Wagner, CST, AAS
    Instructor
    8800 O Street
    Lincoln, NE 68520
    402-437-2797
    ewagner@southeast.edu

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    For more information about the post-graduation achievements of SCC Graduates as well as average starting salaries, refer to the annual Graduate Report.

    For information about the methodologies used to gather the post-graduation student achievement data contained in the annual Graduate Report, refer to the Institutional Research page or contact ir@southeast.edu.