Program Overview

Surgical Technologists are employed in hospitals, surgery centers, and physician's offices to deliver patient care before, during and after surgery. Skyline's program combines academic and clinical instruction that includes learning to prepare surgical instruments, passing them to the surgeon, and handling specialized equipment. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification exam for Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). The Surgical Technology Program at Skyline College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP).

Certification Eligibility Requirements: Surgical Technology Program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Skyline's program was accredited due to commendations of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting to CAAHEP. For more information, visit www.arcstsa.org.


Skyline College's Surgical Technology Program is accredited by:

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
Telephone: (727) 210-2350
Fax: (727) 210-2354
Email: mail@caahep.org

ADMISSION PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS
Students are admitted into the program only once each year. The program will typically start in summer session and complete at the end of the following spring semester. Admission to the Surgical Technology Program is by special application only. Special application forms are available from the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Division Office and the College website. See application for submission dates. Applicants who have previously applied, and wish to reapply, must submit new application materials. Selection of students is based on criteria approved by the Skyline College Administration and con sis tent with State regulations. For further information on the Surgical Technology Program, please call 738-4221 or 738-4470.

Admission to the Surgical Technology Program requires the following minimum entrance requirements:

  • High school diploma or GED
  • Human Anatomy equivalent to BIOL 250
  • Medical Terminology equivalent to HSCI 484
  • Microbiology equivalent to BIOL 240
  • Completion of 19 units of General Education and graduation requirements (5-11 units) prior to starting the program

Please note: CAAHEP has mandated that as of August 2021, all persons graduating from an accredited surgical technologist program must graduate with a minimum of an Associate's Degree.

Communication in the healthcare setting is vital to effective patient and colleague interaction. The AS Degree requires completion of Composition English (ENGL 100 or ENGL 105), and a college-level Intermediate Algebra course, or higher. It is advised to complete these requirements prior to application for the program.

Credit may be given for previous comparable coursework. A minimum grade of "C" or better is required in all Surgical Technology courses and prerequisites.

Prior to starting classes, students admitted to the program are required to complete a satisfactory physical examination, immunization documentation verifying freedom of communicable disease, a social security referenced background check, and drug test.

Program Requirements

Required Courses Units
SURG 440 Basic Sciences for Surgical Technology 6.5 units
SURG 441 Surgical Patient Care Concepts 5.5 units
SURG 442 Surgical Specialties 6 units
SURG 443 Clinical Practice for Surgical Technology 10 units
SURG 451 Surgical Skills Lab 5.5 units
SURG 455 Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam Preparation 0.5 units
MEDA 415 Law and Ethics for Allied Health Professionals 2 units
Total Required Major Units: 36

And required General Education coursework and electives as needed to meet the minimum 60 units required for the Associate degree.

Please refer to the AA/AS Degree Requirements for more information.