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Surgical Technologist Degree

Offered at: Westminster

A.A.S. in Surgical Technology

60 credits
(4 semesters)

The Surgical Technologist is an integral member of the surgical team including the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurse to deliver patient care before, during and after surgery. Before an operation, surgical technologists help prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment. During the surgery, technologist pass instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons and assistants.

This four semester program develops the knowledge and skills for an entry level job as a Surgical Technologist, one of the fastest growing jobs in health care. Surgical technologists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, surgery departments, obstetric departments, and ambulatory surgery centers.

The Curriculum is in alignment with the standards set forth by the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) core curriculum guidelines. Courses include:

  • Health sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, medical terminology, microbiology)
  • Technological sciences (electricity, information technology, robotics)
  • Patient care concepts (bio-psycho-social needs of the patient, death and dying)
  • Surgical technology equipment

Surgical Technology degree: See required courses by semester.

See program admission requirements. 

See list of degree requirements.

See Surgical Tech course descriptions.

Information Session Required for Registration

You can start the Surgical Technology program in fall or spring semester. Learn more about our Surgical Technology program the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in room A0211. Find us on a map. 

What You Will Learn

Upon completion of this program, you will be able to:

  1. Articulate the general characteristics of medical terminology and common use in the healthcare environment, and assign medical terminology as it relates to the whole body.
  2. Identify types and functions of instruments and their uses.
  3. Demonstrate the proper care and handling of surgical instruments.
  4. Describe sterilization methods used in the operating room.
  5. Articulate the concepts of the aseptic technique.
  6. Apply the correct methods and steps in the aseptic process.
  7. Demonstrate the principles of aseptic technique when opening sterile supplies.
  8. Adapt to the various types of work environments for surgical technologists and maintain professional behavior and appearance in all aspects of the medical field.
  9. Communicate effectively with patients and members of the healthcare team.
  10. Perform all assigned independent duties competently and efficiently as allowed by the state and federal laws.

Program Outcomes

  August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018 
Number of eligible first-time candidates   8
Number of first-time candidates that have taken the NBSTSA   *
FRCC pass rate for-first time candidates   N/A
National average pass rate for first-time candidates  66.2%
Retention Rate  67% 
Placement Rate  88% 

*The program has a site visit scheduled for initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org). This step in the process is neither a status of accreditation nor a guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

Surgical Technologist Salaries

Jobs Entry Average Experienced
Surgical Technologist $42,022
 $52,453 $57,669
Colorado Labor Market Information (2017)

Program Accreditation

Front Range Community College Surgical Technology Program has been granted accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council for Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (www.arcstsa.orgg) which will allow students who successfully complete the program to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification and have the credential of Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

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* Degree with designation