Surgical Technology

The Profession

Surgical technologists are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings.

Surgical technologists prepare the operating room by selecting and opening sterile supplies.  Preoperative duties also include assembling, adjusting, and checking nonsterile equipment to ensure that it is in proper working order.  Common duties include operating sterilizers, lights, suction machines, electrosurgical units, and diagnostic equipment.  When patients arrive in the surgical site, surgical technologists assist in preparing them for surgery by providing physical and emotional support, checking charts, and observing vital signs.  They have been educated to properly position the patient on the operating table, assist in connecting and applying surgical equipment and/or monitoring devices, and prepare the incision site.  Surgical technologists have primary responsibility for maintaining the sterile field, being constantly vigilant that all members of the team adhere to aseptic technique.

The Program

Trinity College offers students the choice of a certificate plan or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree plan.  The 40-semester hour certificate plan is 10 months in length to include one summer session and two semesters of study.  The AAS in Surgical Technology Degree plan includes the 40-semester hours of the certificate plan with the addition of 22 general education semester hours of credit.  The AAS may be completed in one summer session and four semesters, however prior completion of general education credits will affect the length of program completion.  Additional general education courses promote the practice of oral and written communication skills, the use of mathematics and/or computer science theory, and utilization of human and social awareness that promote reflective thinking and problem solving.  Application of general education knowledge is an expectation for today's health care graduates.

The Certificate Program confers a certificate award and the AAS Program confers an Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology Degree award.

Trinity College provides a student-centered environment that emphasizes transcultural healthcare concepts.

The Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the National Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), which is the largest programmatic accreditor in the health sciences field.  CAAHEP collaborates with the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST) to provide recognition for the quality of surgical technology programs to the public.  The Program has been continuously accredited since 1974 and received maximum accreditation in 1997 after a self-study and on-site review from the Accreditation Review Committee in Surgical Technology.  As of March 2000, only graduates of accredited surgical technology programs may take the National Certification Exam. 

Admission Requirements:

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale
• ACT composit score of 20 or more

Minimum High School Requirements

• Three years Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science with one year each of Biology and Chemistry and one additional year of a lab science or its equivalent
• Four years English
• or 12 or more approved college semester credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale