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.

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

Spring and fall semesters; Full time; Day classes only

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.

Age 18 at the time program starts.

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

New Applicants for the Degree Program
All of the following:

• FYES 1000  
• ENGL 1101  
• ENGL 1102  
• PSYC 1101  
• ALHS 1090  *

• MATH 1111  
• BIOL 2113  * and BIOL 2113L  *
• BIOL 2114  * and BIOL 2114L  *
• BIOL 2117  * and BIOL 2117L  *

• HUMN 1101  
• ARTS 1101  
• MUSC 1101  

• ENGL 2130  
• ENGL 2110  
• RELG 1101  

• 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.

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.

$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.

Kim Smith, program support specialist, KimberlySmith@GwinnettTech.edu, 678-226-6966.

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.

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.

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.

Surgical technologists held about 107,700 jobs in 2016. 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.

Employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow 12 percent between 2016 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.

Median annual wages of wage-and-salary surgical technologists were $45,160 in May 2016. 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.

• ast.org
• nbstsa.org

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).