What is a Surgical Technologist (“ST”)?
The ST is a vital member of the surgical team functioning under direct supervision of the surgeon and registered nurse in the operating room. The aging of the large baby-boom generation has increased the need for surgical technologists, because older people usually require more operations. Moreover, as these individuals age, they may be more willing than those in previous generations to seek medical treatment to improve their quality of life.
Surgical Technology Program Timetable
The duties of the ST include:
- Assisting the Surgeon.
- Selecting & preparing instruments for surgery.
- Assisting & operating surgical equipment.
- Monitors medications & irrigation fluids during surgery.
- Provides patient with a safe & caring environment.
Clinical site placement throughout the program will be coordinated by the Program Director/Clinical Coordinator and take place in various hospitals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Current hospital sites associated with MassBay Community College offer a range of experience to suit all levels of interest. Please visit MassBay’s Surgical Technology Clinical Affiliations/Internship Sites for a full list of sites.
What Makes Surgical Technology a good career choice?
- Short-term quality training: MassBay’s program is only 12 months long, including both lecture, laboratory, and clinical components.
- Solid job growth: In Massachusetts, job prospects for Surgical Technologists are expected to grow 29% from 2012 to 2022*.
- Good pay: In 2014, the typical median hourly wage was $23* (approximately $46K - $50K per year).
- Room for advancement: A Surgical Technologist ST can move up to a Certified Surgical Technologist, Certified First Assistant, Nursing, Sales Representative or Educator
- Job benefits include medical and other insurance, 401(k) retirement savings plan, and some employers offer tuition reimbursement.
*Source: the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development as published on www.careerinfonet.org. Actual entry-level earnings will depend on the type of employer among other factors.
Job Prospects
- Surgery Centers
- Academic Hospitals
- Endoscopy Suites
- Physicians’ Offices
- Labor & Delivery Units
- Medical Sales Representative
- Research & Product Development
Why MassBay’s Surgical Technology Certificate Program?
- Day & Evening Programs to accommodate the student population
- Quality training, 3 semesters over 12 months.
- Instruction in the basic sciences, medical terminology, surgical functions, operating room equipment, sterile supply processing, and aseptic technique
Surgical Technologist Important Qualities
- Detail oriented. Surgical technologists must pay close attention to their work at all times. For example, they need to provide the correct sterile equipment for surgeons during an operation.
- Dexterity. Surgical technologists should be comfortable working with their hands. They must be able to provide needed equipment quickly.
- Integrity. Because they are trusted to provide sterile supplies and quality patient care during surgical procedures, surgical technologists must have integrity.
- Physical stamina. Surgical technologists should be comfortable standing for extended periods.
- Stress-management skills. Working in an operating room can be stressful. Surgical technologists should be able to work well under pressure while providing a high level of care.
The Association of Surgical Technologists has produced the video below titled “Making a Difference: A Career in Surgical Technology”. Click on the arrow below on the video to view a glimpse into the exciting, fast-paced — and critically important — world of Surgical Technology.
Accreditation
MassBay Community College’s Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting/ARC/STSA.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
25400 US Highway 19 N
Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
Phone: 727.210.2350
Fax: 727.210.2354
Web: caahep.org
6 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 110
Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: 303.694.9262
Web: arcstsa.org
The ARC/STSA® is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit accreditation services body providing national recognition for higher education programs in surgical technology and surgical assisting, in collaboration with the Commission on Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), in order to promote quality surgical patient care through quality education. The ARC/STSA® is the only CAAHEP-recognized Committee on Accreditation for education programs in surgical technology and surgical assisting.
Massachusetts Surgical Technologist Requirements
Massachusetts General Law c. 111 §229 introduced new training requirements for surgical technologists hired after July 1, 2013. The statute requires surgical technologists hired after July 1, 2013 to maintain a certified surgical technologist credential or alternative qualification, as defined by the statute. The Association of Surgical Technologists (“AST”) also publishes a Massachusetts Surgical Technologist Law FAQ document which addresses this topic.
Program Goals and Learning Domains of the Surgical Technology Program
MassBay's Surgical Technology Program Philosophy Statement, Mission, Goals/Objectives and Learning Outcomes can be viewed here.
Clinical Rotation Component
Please review the Surgical Technology Program Compliance Standards for Surgical Rotation Case Requirements and the First/Second Scrub Role/Observation. Students must comply with the case standard of 120 cases to be eligible to sit for the national certified surgical technology (“CST”) certification examination.
National Certification Exam Outcomes
Upon graduation from the Surgical Technology program, you will be qualified to sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination, a national certifying examination conducted by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). A Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) is recognized as competent in the field. MassBay's CST.2 outcomes assessment exam (“OAE”) pass rates for 2014-2015 can be viewed by clicking on MassBay CST Pass Rates 2014-2015
Interested in Applying?
All new applicants should plan to attend a Surgical Technology program information session at MassBay. Check out our Info Session schedule and sign up today. Please visit MassBay’s Selective Admissions page and download the Surgical Technology program admission application. This will provide additional detail on curriculum pre-requisites, health compliance requirements, application deadline and other important details.
Questions:
Contact Program Director:
Richard M. Clark, CST, MA
Program Director
Office 120/J / Framingham Campus
rclark@massbay.edu
508.270.4256