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.
Curriculum-at-a-Glance
The Surgical Technology program consists of 18 general education credits including English, biology, chemistry, and psychology.
Program-specific coursework includes: 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/academics/programs/.
Program/Degree Options
RCTC offers a 60 credit Associate in Applied Science Surgical Technology degree.
Program Start Date(s)
First year 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 ambulatory surgery, outpatient surgery center, private physicians’ offices and central supply. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment or surgical technologists is expected to grow by 19% through 2020.
Accreditations/Articulations
Rochester Community and Technical College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission: A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
RCTC’s Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 25400 US Hwy. 19 N., Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763 (Phone 727-210-2350) www.caahep.org CAAHEP accredits the program in cooperation with the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA). 6 W. Dry Creek Circle, Suite # 110, Littleton, CO 80120, (Phone 303-694-9262) www.arcstsa.org
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.
For additional information on the most current list of RCTC program articulations see: http://www.rctc.edu/academics/articulations/.
Additional Information
Program Plan: http://www.rctc.edu/academics/programs/
More Information: http://www.rctc.edu/contact/
Overview content updated: 2017-04-12