SKIP to: User Groups, Site Search, Page content, Quick Links, Contact Information

Surgical Technology

Career/Program Overview

The Surgical Technology degree is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for careers working in an operating room. The surgical technologist prepares the surgical environment and functions as a team member during surgical procedures. After many hours of simulated experiences in a well-equipped lab, students will obtain clinical experience at Mayo Clinic Hospitals in Rochester, Minnesota and other hospitals in Southeastern Minnesota. Visit us at

http://www.rctc.edu/program/st/.

Curriculum-at-a-Glance

The Surgical Technology program consists of 24 – 25 general education credits including English, speech, biology, chemistry, psychology, and humanities.

Program-specific coursework includes: nursing assistant, medical terminology, medications, microbiology, operating room techniques and surgical procedures.

For more detailed program information, refer to RCTC’s program course requirements at http://www.rctc.edu/catalog/programs/index.html.

Program/Degree Options

RCTC offers a 66 - 67 credit Associate in Applied Science Surgical Technology degree.

Program Start Date(s)

General education coursework can be taken any semester. Second year or program-specific coursework begins fall semester only.

Career Opportunities/Information

Surgical Technologists are primarily employed in operating rooms. Other opportunities for employment include ambulating surgery, outpatient surgery center,

private physicians’ offices and central supply. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for surgical technologists is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2014.

Articulations/Accreditations

RCTC has established an articulation agreement for the Surgical Technology A.A.S. degree with the University of Minnesota Crookston’s Bachelor of Applied Health.

RCTC’s Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). CAAHEP accredits the program in cooperation with the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST).

Graduates are eligible to take the National Certifying Examination for Surgical Technologists to become a Certified Surgical Technologist.

Rochester Community and Technical College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission: A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

For additional information on the most current list of RCTC program articulations see us at: http://www.rctc.edu/catalog/articulations/index.html

Request Program Information

Additional Information:
Program Course Requirements
Course Schedule
Surgical Technology Web Site
Visit us!
Apply today!