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Program Description
The RCTC Surgical Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree Program is 18 months in length. The first academic year will be spent completing the general education requirements, nursing assistant, medical terminology, and employment strategies.
The second year is the surgical technology course sequence that includes instruction using a combination of methods, including lecture, practice in a well-equipped laboratory, and actual clinical experience in the operating room.
The majority of clinical experience will be at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Students also gain clinical experience at other hospitals in southeastern Minnesota. The student will receive excellent clinical experience in various surgical specialties including general, gynecology, ear, nose, throat, eye, plastics, urology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, and thoracic surgery.
As part of the requirements to graduate from the Surgical Technology Program, students must take the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Certifying Examination for Surgical Technologists. The cost is approximately $250. Upon successful completion of the Surgical Technology Program, students receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree from Rochester Community and Technical College. Many hospitals require their employees to be certified.
The RCTC Surgical Technology Program began in1974 and has been accredited since 1977 by the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in cooperation with the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).
Notice of Minnesota Background Study Requirement
Minnesota Statute 245C requires that students who have contact with individuals in licensed institutions complete an annual background study with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Individuals who do not pass the background study will not be allowed to participate in clinical activities. A list of disqualifying offenses is available at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=245C.15.
Students in the program will also be required to complete a National Criminal Background Study. Information about completing the background study will be available from the Mayo School of Health Sciences (MSHS).
Following are links to the specific Surgical Technology degree requirements needed for completing the program and also detailed descriptions of the core Surgical Technology courses.
Surgical Tech Degree Program Requirements, Course Sequence, and Admission Requirements
Surgical Tech Course Descriptions (Search for "Surgical Technology")
Updated: April 3, 2012
