Surgeons can’t do their job alone. They need a solid team of professionals around them, to help the procedure run smoothly and at a pace conducive to positive patient outcomes.
That’s where surgical technologists come in.
Surgical technologists are critical members of the surgical team. They help to prepare the operating room, including selecting the surgical tools that will be needed for each surgery. They assist in ensuring the surgical environment is sterile at all times. They must possess a deep understanding of every surgical procedure in order to anticipate the surgeon’s needs and pass the correct instrument. When a patient is on the operating table, every second counts. The surgeon can’t waste time asking for a scalpel or a retractor. The surgical technologist must have that tool in hand, ready to pass it to the surgeon at the very moment it is needed.
Surgical technologists must be excellent communicators, team players, highly organized and calm under pressure. Surgical technologists must also be passionate about delivering high-quality care and delivering positive results for patients.
As a Surgical Technology student at South Piedmont, you will learn to:
- Prepare and sterilize surgical equipment
- Assist surgeons
- Manage instruments and supplies during each surgical procedure
- Assist in caring for surgical patients
- Collaborate and effectively communicate with other members of the surgical team
Students will practice their emerging skills in South Piedmont’s state-of-the-art Health Sciences simulation lab. They will complete their clinical training at the College’s healthcare partner sites right here in Anson and Union counties.
Student Experience and Outcomes
South Piedmont’s Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology degree program is designed to be completed in 17 months. In addition to classroom instruction, students will practice their emerging skills in South Piedmont’s state-of-the-art Health Sciences simulation lab. They will complete their clinical training at the College’s healthcare partner sites right here in Anson and Union counties. The program prepares students for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification exam. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for surgical technologists is $48,510.
Why Choose South Piedmont for Surgical Technology?
- Small class sizes; our average student-to-faculty ratio is just 16:1.
- Hands-on experiences in our Health Sciences simulation lab begin from Day 1.
- Clinical training opportunities at hospitals and healthcare providers right here in Anson and Union counties.
Next Steps & Pre-Requisites
- Apply to South Piedmont (NOTE: current SPCC students do not need to complete this step)
- Watch the Online Information Session and then complete the Information Session Quiz.
- After you submit your Information Session Quiz, you will be emailed a Phase II application for Surgical Technology
- Submit your completed Phase II application and supporting documentation to healthadmissions@spcc.edu
- The following pre-requisites are needed for Surgical Technology:
BIO 168, BIO 169, BIO 275, TEAS score of at least 65.