Surgical Technology, Associate in Science
Surgical technologists are allied health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients. Surgical technologists work under the supervision of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures, ensuring that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions correctly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. A surgical technologist possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation of instruments and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
The program and curriculum were built around the Association of Surgical Technologists' Standards of Practice. These standards and the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology provide the foundation for the program. Upon graduation, students will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
To be considered for admission to the Surgical Technology program, applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, complete all Admission Requirements, and submit all appropriate documentation by the necessary deadlines.
Admission Requirements
- Submit Surgical Technology Program Application; retain the successful application submission confirmation email for your records.
- Complete Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a minimum passing score of TBD
- Complete Program Prerequisite Courses (listed below) or their direct equivalents at another accredited institution, as defined by Pasco-Hernando State College, with a grade of C (TBD GPA) or better.
- Medical Terminology (3 credits)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I (3 credits)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab (1 credit)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology II (3 credits)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab (1 credit)
- Any Area II Math Course Listed in Category A (3 credit)
Points will be awarded for grades earned in these courses, with the opportunity to earn a maximum of 56 points, as part of applicant assessment based on the following scale:
- A = 4 points
- B = 3 points
- C = 2 points
Admission Assessment
All applicants whose documentation is completed and on file by the deadline will be ranked based on the criteria outlined below, and available program seats will be filled based on rank order.
- 40% Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
- 40% Program Prerequisite Courses GPA
- 15% Program Prerequisite Courses Points Awarded
- 5% Resident of Pasco County or Hernando County
Criminal Background Checks & Drug Screenings
Pasco-Hernando State College's clinical partners may not accept students who have been convicted of certain crimes or test positive for certain drugs into a clinical learning environment. Therefore, students must undergo a Criminal Background Check & Drug Screening, at their own expense, through castlebranch.com to be fully admitted to the Surgical Technology Program. Prospective students should not order Criminal Background Checks & Drug Screenings at this time; students invited to the mandatory program orientation will receive futher instruction at that time.
Program Code: AS-STS
General Education Requirements - 26 credit hours
| HSC 2531 | Medical Terminology | 3 cr. |
| BSC 1085 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 cr. |
| BSC 1085L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | 1 cr. |
| BSC 1086 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 cr. |
| BSC 1086L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | 1 cr. |
| | Any Area II Mathematics course listed in Category A in the Associate in Science Degree Program Requirements | 3 cr. |
| ENC 1101 | English Composition I | 3 cr. |
| HUM 1020 | Introduction to Humanities | 3 cr. |
| PSY 1012 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 cr. |
| POS 2041 | American Federal Government | 3 cr. |
| Total Credit Hours: | 26 |
Program Common Core Courses - 38 credit hours
| STS 1302 | Introduction to Surgical Technology | 4 cr. |
| STS 1308 | Patient Care for the Surgical Technologist | 2 cr. |
| STS 1304L | Patient Care for the Surgical Technologist Lab | 3 cr. |
| STS 2340 | Pharmacology for the Surgical Technologist | 2 cr. |
| STS 1307 | Sterile Technique | 4 cr. |
| STS 1327L | Sterile Technique Lab | 4 cr. |
| STS 1323 | Surgical Procedures I | 4 cr. |
| STS 2324 | Surgical Procedures II | 4 cr. |
| STS 2944 | Surgical Technology Clinical I | 4 cr. |
| STS 2945 | Surgical Technology Clinical II | 5 cr. |
| STS 1931 | Surgical Technology Certification Review | 2 cr. |
| Total Credit Hours: | 38 |
Prerequisite Courses
| HSC 2531 | Medical Terminology | 3 cr. |
| BSC 1085 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 cr. |
| BSC 1085L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | 1 cr. |
| BSC 1086 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 cr. |
| BSC 1086L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | 1 cr. |
| | Any Area II Mathematics course listed in Category A in the Associate in Science Degree Program Requirements | 3 cr. |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Freshman—Session I
| STS 1302 | Introduction to Surgical Technology | 4 cr. |
| STS 1308 | Patient Care for the Surgical Technologist | 2 cr. |
| STS 1304L | Patient Care for the Surgical Technologist Lab | 3 cr. |
| STS 2340 | Pharmacology for the Surgical Technologist | 2 cr. |
| ENC 1101 | English Composition I | 3 cr. |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Sophomore—Session I
| STS 2324 | Surgical Procedures II | 4 cr. |
| STS 2944 | Surgical Technology Clinical I | 4 cr. |
| PSY 1012 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 cr. |
| Total Credit Hours: | 11 |
Sophomore—Session II
| STS 2945 | Surgical Technology Clinical II | 5 cr. |
| STS 1931 | Surgical Technology Certification Review | 2 cr. |
| POS 2041 | American Federal Government | 3 cr. |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Total Credit Hours: 64