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Student passing surgical equipment

Surgical Services - Surgical Technologist Option

Program Snapshot
Academic CredentialAssociate in Science (AS)
Total Credit Hours64
Average Time to Complete2 yrs.
Academic PathwayHealth Sciences
AdvisorBrittany Page, BAS, CSFA, CST
Coordinator, Surgical Services
850.769.1551 ext. 3551
bpage2@gulfcoast.edu

Academic Program SpecialistCrickett Pimentel
850.913.3311
Health SciencesGCSC@gulfcoast.edu

Pathway NavigatorTerri Thomas
850.769.1551 ext. 5863
tthomas3@gulfcoast.edu

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Surgical Services Website Track your progress Degree Audit

Surgical Technologist, AS

Do you like Anatomy? Do You Like to Watch Surgery on TV?

Would you like to work in a unique environment?

Surgical Technology is a rewarding career opportunity.  In this program of study, students are taught the technical skills necessary to become employed as an entry-level Surgical Technologist.

Surgical Technologists are allied health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care in a variety of settings.  This individual works under the medical supervision of the surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures.

A surgical technologist possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic techniques and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Graduates of the Surgical Technology Program take the first step toward becoming an integral part of the surgical team. Hospitals, outpatient surgery clinics, private practice, and other surgical centers are extremely interested in hiring skilled individuals to assist in surgical procedures to promote optimal patient outcomes. There are many areas of surgery that rely on quality assisting.

Based on salary information gathered in May 2023 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall median average salary for a Surgical Technologist in Florida is $60,610.

Surgical Students

 

There are many areas of surgery that rely on quality assisting. Surgical Technologists learn skills for a variety of surgery specialties:

  • Cardiovascular surgery
  • Orthopedic surgery
  • General surgery
  • Genitourinary surgery
  • Head and neck surgery
  • Neurosurgery
  • Plastic surgery
  • Robotic surgery
  • Spinal surgery
  • Thoracic surgery
  • Trauma surgery
  • Vascular surgery

After completion of the surgical technology program, additional education and training are available to become a Surgical First Assistant.

All programs are required to publish the approved Outcomes Assessment Exam (OAE) pass-rate from the program’s most recently submitted Annual Report. Upon graduation, students take the National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assistants certification examination to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

Surgical Technology
 School Year		 CAAHEP Annual
Report Year		 Certification
Pass Rate		 NBSTSA National Average
8/1/2023 - 7/31/2024 2025 70%
69.1%
8/1/2022 - 7/31/2023 2024 100% 70%
8/1/2021 - 7/31/2022 2023 100% 70.6%
8/1/202 - 7/31/2021 2022 100% 73.7%

 

The Surgical Technology and Surgical First Assistant programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA). 

 Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 9353 – 113th ST. N, #7709,
 Seminole, FL  33775; Phone: 727-210-2350; website: www.caahep.org.

 

Surgical Services-Surgical Technologist Course Requirements

h3

English I
Visual & Performing Arts or
Philosophy/Religion or
Literature 
Select One of a list of Math Courses
Anatomy and Physiology
American National Government or United States History II and demonstrate Civic Literacy Competency
Medical Terminology
Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab 
Human Anatomy and Physiology II & Lab
Surgical Technology Courses

A complete list of courses with descriptions can be found in the Catalog

What can you do with a Surgical Services-Surgical Technologist Degree?

What jobs will you find with a Surgical Technologist degree?

  • Become a team leader in a specialty service.
  • Move into management of a central sterile supply or inventory department.
  • Return to school to move into other related branches of medicine such as a Surgical First Assistant, Registered Nurse, or Registered Nurse First Assistant.

Gulf Coast alumni of this program have continued their education at:

University of Florida

 

Operating Room
Who is Eligible for the Surgical Technologist AS Program?
If you are a high school graduate, you may apply to this program. If you have earned credits from a regionally accredited college or university, you may have a head start at Gulf Coast State College.
Where do you work?
Hospitals or ambulatory care centers. For a physician group in a clinic setting. Opportunities abound, are you interested in traveling? You can apply for traveling assignments throughout the United States including Alaska and Hawaii.
Hands being scrubbed for surgery

Surgical Labs

You'll acquire the skills you need to be a successful Surgical Technologist in Gulf Coast State College's state-of-the-art labs in the George C. Tapper Health Sciences Building on the Panama City campus.

Are you ready to get Started ?

How to apply to the  Surgical Technology Program

To apply to the program, you’ll need to complete the general admission application to Gulf Coast State College.  Visit the Gulf Coast admissions page to learn more about the application process. Consult the Gulf Coast State College Catalog to find out more about the program. 

Apply to Gulf Coast

Apply for Financial Aid & Scholarships

There are many options available to help you pay for college. Find out more about  scholarships and financial aid at Gulf Coast State College.

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

Register for Classes

Check out the class registration dates and plan your schedule today.

REGISTER

Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs, activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. All questions or inquiries regarding compliance with laws relating to non-discrimination and all complaints regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination, may be directed to Amanda Reed, Executive Director, Human Resources/Title II/504/Title IX Coordinator and Employment Equity Officer, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. US Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.