Surgical Technologist Degree
Offered at: Westminster
2021 Program Success
- NBSTSA Pass Rate: 94%
- Job Placement: 94%
- Student Satisfaction: 100%
- Program Completion: 72%

A.A.S. in Surgical Technology
60 credits
(4 semesters)
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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 and descriptions.
See program admission requirements.
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Information Session Required for Registration
You can start the Surgical Technology program in Fall or Spring semester. Learn more about our Surgical Technology Program by listening to the Info Session PowerPoint.
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What You Will Learn
Upon completion of this surgical tech program, you will be able to:
- 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.
- Identify types and functions of instruments and their uses.
- Demonstrate the proper care and handling of surgical instruments.
- Describe sterilization methods used in the operating room.
- Articulate the concepts of the aseptic technique.
- Apply the correct methods and steps in the aseptic process.
- Demonstrate the principles of aseptic technique when opening sterile supplies.
- Adapt to the various types of work environments for surgical technologists and maintain professional behavior and appearance in all aspects of the medical field.
- Communicate effectively with patients and members of the healthcare team.
- Perform all assigned independent duties competently and efficiently as allowed by the state and federal laws.
Surgical Technologist Salaries
Jobs |
Entry |
Average |
Experienced |
Surgical Technologist |
$44,179
|
$57,553 |
$71,198
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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.org) 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).
Professional Licensure Disclosure
Students enrolling or continuing at Front Range Community College (FRCC) have a right to certain information that the college must provide. As a student applying for or attending the Surgical Technology (STE) Program, you have the right to know it meets the certification criteria for Colorado. The degree may count toward licensing or certification in states other than Colorado. If you are planning to seek work outside of Colorado, it is strongly recommended that you contact that State's certifying or licensing entity for guidance before you begin this program. State-by-state information is available on the Association of Surgical Technologists site.
This program meets the applicable state prerequisites for licensure or certification in Colorado as listed below:
The National Certification is not required to work in the state of Colorado. However, some healthcare facilities require a Surgical Technologist to hold their National Certification. FRCC has not determined if the Surgical Technology (STE) Program meets applicable state prerequisites for licensure or certification in states other than Colorado. These states include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and U.S. Territories: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.