Surgical Technology Program

Surgical Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS)

Specialized training for a specialized career.

The Surgical Technology program prepares students to work as valuable members of a surgical team, which most commonly includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses. Surgical Technologists assist in surgical procedures under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel. They perform a variety of critical hands-on tasks, including:

  • Preparing operating rooms by setting up surgical instruments and equipment
  • Preparing patients for surgery by washing, shaving, and disinfecting incision sites
  • Passing instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons during surgical procedures
  • Maintaining a proper sterile field throughout the surgical process
  • Monitoring and assessing operating room conditions

Surgical Technology Students Benefit From:

  • A strong foundation in both the theory and techniques of surgical technology
  • Hands-on learning in on-site surgical laboratories that simulate the surgical environment
  • Valuable, practical experience gained through the completion of clinical practicums at off-campus healthcare facilities, under the supervision of instructors and professional practitioners
  • Liberal arts and sciences courses that provide students with a foundation of skills and knowledge necessary to reason clearly and communicate effectively

Programmatic Accreditation and Certification

The Surgical Technology program offered at the Woodland Park campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA). The program has been placed on Probationary Accreditation as of May 20, 2022. 

Students who complete a CAAHEP-accredited Surgical Technology program are eligible to participate in the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam, a national credentialing exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

Fifty-eight percent of Berkeley College’s Surgical Technology students who graduated from the CAAHEP accredited program between August 1, 2021, and July 31, 2022, passed the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam on their first attempt.

Career Opportunities

Surgical Technologists assist in surgical procedures under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel. Most work in hospitals, but some work in outpatient care centers or in offices of physicians who perform outpatient surgery.

Catalog

Surgical Technology Program

You’ll find additional information in our Catalog, including the different degrees offered, descriptions of the courses you’ll take, the department faculty, and much more. You can always live chat or contact us with questions.

Locations Offered

The Surgical Technology program is only offered at the Woodland Park campus. Individuals who already possess the CST credential and who are interested in obtaining an Associate degree may take the program through Berkeley College Online®.

Frequently Asked Questions: Surgical Technology

The Surgical Technology degree program prepares students to work as valuable members of a surgical team, which most commonly includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses.

Students engage in:

  • A strong foundation in both the theory and techniques of surgical technology
  • Hands-on learning in on-site surgical laboratories that simulate the surgical environment
  • Valuable, practical experience gained through the completion of clinical practicums at off-campus healthcare facilities, under the supervision of instructors and professional practitioners
  • Liberal arts and sciences courses that provide students with a foundation of skills and knowledge necessary to reason clearly and communicate effectively

The College considers students for admission to degree and certificate programs on the basis of future potential, the motivation and interest to succeed in a chosen profession, and past academic achievement.

Graduation from high school or the equivalent is a basic requirement for admission to degree and certificate programs. In evaluating candidates, the Committee on Admissions takes into consideration your individual interests, your motivation to succeed in a chosen profession, and prior academic achievement. Basic requirements for admission include graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent and an entrance exam or SAT/ACT scores. Applicants to the programs offered within the School of Health Studies may have additional requirements. Documentation of successful completion of high school or the equivalent must be submitted to the College prior to starting classes.

A personal interview is strongly recommended. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Director of Admissions at the campus of their choice to arrange for an appointment with an Admissions Associate. For further information, students may also call the College at 866-317-6087 or email info@BerkeleyCollege.edu.

Berkeley maintains a rolling admissions policy, so students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applicants will be notified of a decision as soon as all credentials have been evaluated. Certain programs may have specific application deadline requirements. 

For further questions about the enrollment process, schedule an appointment with an associate.

The Surgical Technology program is only offered at the Woodland Park campus. Individuals who already possess the CST credential and who are interested in obtaining an Associate degree may take the program through Berkeley College Online®.

Surgical technologists assist in surgical procedures under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel. Most work in hospitals, but some work in outpatient care centers or in the offices of physicians who perform outpatient surgery.

  • Employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 6 percent through 2031, as fast as average for all occupations.

About 9,600 openings for surgical assistants and technologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Surgical Assistants and Technologists, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm (visited August 23, 2023).

Testimonial

Jennifer Ruesta

Berkeley College Alumna

“I remember touring the campus – looking into a classroom and seeing students in the program in scrubs with their mask on. It called to me. Right then and there, I knew that was what I wanted to do. I had no hesitation.”

Videos

Surgical Technology Program Video

David Osorio Surgical Technology Testimonial