2019-2020 Course Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2019-2020 Course Catalog and Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Surgical Technology AAS Program Fact Sheet


What is a Surgical Technologist? 

A surgical technologist works directly with the surgeon in the OR to handle instruments, supplies and equipment, and to assist the surgeon as needed. The surgical technologist provides direct patient care and is responsible for maintaining sterile and safe conditions during surgery. A surgical technologist may work in surgery, in medical sales, or several other fields. Learn more about the career at ast.org.

Length of Program

3 semesters (not including prerequisite courses); Program courses must be taken in sequence within the prescribed time frame.

Semester Program Begins

Spring and fall semesters; Full time; Day classes only

General Admission Application Process
  1. Apply to Gwinnett Technical College at GwinnettTech.edu, submit all transcripts from high school and previous college work, and take the ACCUPLACER test, if required. Students must be accepted into Gwinnett Technical College prior to applying to a program of study.
  2. Applicants are initially accepted into the Interdisciplinary Studies degree program while completing the required prerequisite courses.
Minimum Age Requirement

Age 18 at the time program starts.

Program Application Process

All applicants are required to submit a program packet. Forms are available online at http://www.gwinnetttech.edu/enrollment/forms-documents/.

  • Fall application deadline: June 1
  • Prerequisite deadline: End of summer semester
  • Spring application deadline: October 10
  • Prerequisites deadline: End of fall semester
Program Prerequisites
(Minimum 3.0 GPA)

New Applicants for the Degree Program
All
of the following:


 

  One of the following:

 

  *These courses cannot be more than 5 years old at the time of program application.
  Current Certified Surgical Technologists Applying to Complete the Degree Program
  • Submit proof of current Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification.
  • Submit transcripts showing successful completion of a Technical College System of Georgia Surgical Technology program.
  • Complete all prerequisites listed in “program prerequisites” list above.
Competitive Admissions

A mandatory meeting will be held after the deadline for all applicants who have completed the prerequisites.  Competitive admissions will be based on attendance at the mandatory meeting, GPA for required prerequisites, and GPA on the 7 science-based prerequisites.

Program Cost and Requirements

$300 per semester lab fee in fall and spring; uniform scrubs, shoes, lab coat, Gwinnett Tech patch & ID; books; liability insurance; criminal background check; drug screening; immunizations for clinicals; and club dues (decided by class). Costs are approximated and subject to change.

For more information, contact:

Kim Smith, program support specialist, KimberlySmith@GwinnettTech.edu, 678.226.6966.

For admission and enrollment, contact:

Enrollment Support Center in Building 100 at the Lawrenceville campus, or Building A at the Alpharetta-North Fulton campus, or email HealthTeam@GwinnettTech.edu.

   

Information Sessions
Lawrenceville Campus: 4th Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m., Building 200, Room 367
Alpharetta-North Fulton Campus: 1st Tuesday of every month from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., by appointment only
Please contact Kim Smith (KimberlySmith@GwinnettTech.edu) to make an appointment.


Quick Facts
2017 Median pay             $46,310 per year/$22.26 per hour
Entry level education             Associate degree, diploma
Number of jobs, 2017            107,700
Job growth, 2017 - 2026            12% (much faster than average)

Surgical technologists assist in surgical operations under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. Surgical technologists are members of operating room teams, which most commonly include surgeons, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses. Surgical technologists are trained to maintain the sterile field, preventing the risk of infection during surgery. Before an operation, surgical technologists help prepare the operating room by setting up the sterile field with surgical instruments and equipment, drapes, medication, and supplies. Technologists also help the surgical team put on sterile gowns and gloves.

During surgery, technologists anticipate the needs of the surgeon by passing instruments; holding retractors; preparing sutures; counting instruments, sponges, and sharps; and helping apply dressings. After surgery, surgical technologists assist with room turn-over procedures in order to prepare for the next patient. They also decontaminate and prepare surgical instruments for sterilization.

Work Environment

Surgical technologists work in clean, well-lighted, cool environments. They must stand for long periods and remain alert during operations. At times, they may be exposed to communicable diseases and unpleasant sights, odors, and materials. Most surgical technologists work a regular 40-hour week, although they may be on call or work nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis.

Employment

Surgical technologists held about 107,700 jobs in 2017. About 71 percent of jobs for surgical technologists were in hospitals, mainly in operating and delivery rooms. Other jobs were in offices of physicians or dentists who perform outpatient surgery and in outpatient care centers, including ambulatory surgical centers. A few technologists, known as private scrubs or first assistants, are employed directly by surgeons.

Job Outlook

Employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow 12 percent between 2017 and 2026. The number of surgical procedures is expected to continue to rise as the population grows and ages. In addition, technological advances, such as fiber optics, robotics, and laser technology, have permitted an increasing number of new surgical procedures to be performed and also have allowed surgical technologists to assist with a greater number of procedures. Job opportunities will be best for technologists who are certified and for those who are willing to relocate.

Earnings

Median annual wages of wage-and-salary surgical technologists were $46,310 in May 2017. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,720 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $64,800. Wages of surgical technologists vary with experience and education, the responsibilities of the position, the working hours, and the economy of a given region of the country.

Research the Career

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Surgical Technologists,
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm (visited September 1, 2017).

  The Gwinnett Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
Lisa Richardson, Section 504/ADA, Title IX and Equity Coordinator, Building 100, Room 708, 678.226.6691, LRichardson@GwinnettTech.edu