Program Description

The Surgical Technology A.A.S. program prepares students to assist the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and professional registered nurse as an integral member of the direct patient care team before, during, and after surgical intervention. The graduate practitioner will possess the knowledge base and technical skills to demonstrate the principles of sterile technique, demonstrate the invasive procedural steps necessary to correct anatomical pathology, prepare equipment, instruments, supplies, and sutures used for surgical procedures, assist the surgeon throughout the operative procedure, incorporate values and attitudes congruent with professional standards and ethics, and perform in the role of first scrub, second assistant, supervised circulator, and first assistant.

Students will gain clinical experience at Sandford Health and Altru Health Systems serving northern Minnesota and North Dakota. As approved by the ARC/STSA, students are required to complete a minimum of 120 surgical cases during the clinical training to successfully complete the program.

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Certifying Examination for Surgical Technologists (NBSTSA) to become Certified Surgical Technologists (CST). The exam is administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), the credentialing organization. After successful completion of the examination, the NBSTSA awards a certificate; the individual will be nationally certified.

Program Learner Outcomes

Program Goal: The Surgical Technology program will prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains by meeting or exceeding the criteria set forth in the current CAAHEP Standards and Best Practices for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Surgical Technology. Our graduates will be prepared to enter the profession able to work under the direction and supervision of the physician and nurse in a legal, ethical and competent manner.

Outcomes: Upon completion of the Surgical Technology didactic and clinical components, the graduate will be able to:

1. Perform skills necessary to safely fulfill the role of the Surgical Technologist, including the application of infection control practices and scrubbing into surgical procedures under direct supervision.
2. Demonstrate professional behaviors consistent with the profession and employer expectations utilizing ethical and legal considerations relevant to the role of the surgical technologist.
3. Evaluate information using problem-solving and critical thinking skills relevant to the surgical technologist position.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in the application of aseptic technique in all aspects of the surgical care of patients.
5. Demonstrate basic competence in the use of surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment used to provide patient care.
6. Integrate a comprehensive understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, and microbiology when assisting with surgical procedures.
7. Communicate effectively with patients, physicians, and colleagues based upon respect for the dignity and worth of each person.
8. Exhibit behaviors conducive to effective teamwork.

Student Learner Outcomes

Northland Surgical Technology Outcome Assessment Exam Pass Rate

• 2025 Graduating Class — 83%
• 2024 Graduating Class — 43%
• 2023 Graduating Class — 100%
• 2022 Graduating Class — 100%
• 2021 Graduating Class — 88%
• 2020 Graduating Class — 100%
• 2019 Graduating Class — 91%
• 2018 Graduating Class — 100%

Qualities of a Surgical Technologist

• Ability to work well under stressful and emergency situations
• Able to act quickly and accurately
• Work well with other people
• Exhibit manual dexterity
• Physical stamina
• Good communication skills
• Empathy

Physical Requirements for Surgical Technology

• Able to stand, bend, stoop, and/or sit for long periods of time in one location with minimum/no breaks.
• Able to lift a minimum of 20 pounds.
• Able to refrain from nourishment or restroom breaks for periods of up to 6 hours.
• Demonstrate sufficient visual ability to load a fine (10-0) suture onto needles and needle holders with/without corrective lenses and while wearing safety glasses.
• Demonstrate sufficient peripheral vision to anticipate and function while in the sterile surgical environment.
• Hear and understand muffled communication without visualization of the communicator’s mouth/lips and within 20 feet.
• Hear activation/warning signals on equipment.
• Able to detect odors sufficient to maintain environmental safety and patient needs.
• Manipulate instruments, supplies, and equipment with speed, dexterity, and good eye-hand coordination.
• Ambulate/move around without assistive devices.
• Able to assist with and/or lift, move, position, and manipulate the patient who is unconscious with or without assistive devices.
• Communicate and understand fluent English both verbally and in writing.
• To be free of reportable communicable diseases and chemical abuse.
• Able to demonstrate immunity (natural or artificial) to Rubella, Rubeola, Tuberculosis, and Hepatitis B, or be vaccinated against these diseases, or willing to sign a waiver or release of liability regarding these diseases.
• Possess short- and long-term memory sufficient to perform tasks such as, but not limited to, mentally tracking surgical supplies and performing anticipation skills intraoperatively.
• Able to make appropriate judgment decisions.
• Demonstrate the use of positive coping skills under stress.
• Demonstrate calm and effective responses, especially in emergency situations.
• Exhibit positive interpersonal skills during patient, staff, and faculty interactions.

Employment Information

Surgical Technology is a growing field with excellent career opportunities. Hospitals will continue as the primary employer of surgical technologists. Other areas of employment are in Central/Sterile, specialty clinics or ambulatory surgery centers such as ophthalmology (eye laser, cataract, retinal or corneal procedures) ENT, endoscopy/gastroenterology, orthopedics, general surgery, gynecology, urology dental, oral, plastic and cosmetic, vascular, and pain management and other areas where invasive procedures are done.

Licensure & Certifications

As part of requirements to graduate from the Surgical Technology program, students must take the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Certifying Examination for Surgical Technologists.

Additional Program Resources