The Surgical Technologist is an operating room specialist who performs specific duties for pre-, intra-, and postoperative case management.
Surgical Technologists must be knowledgeable in asepsis and sterile technique, and must be able to properly care for instrumentation, equipment, and supplies. Education includes the following: basic sciences: microbiology, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and surgical pharmacology. Additionally this education includes: surgical procedures, case management, wound care and closure, surgical patient care, and safety. Surgical Technologists’ employment includes: hospital operating rooms, central sterile processing departments, outpatient surgical units, medical companies as sales representatives, physicians in private practice, cardiac catheterization units, or endoscopic departments. Students in their last semester are required to take the National Certification Examination for Surgical Technologists to become Certified Surgical Technologists.
Riverside is proud to offer:
- Program leading to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Surgical Technology
- Full-time Day option consisting of four 16-week semesters and one 8-week summer semester (72 total weeks - 2 academic years) in addition to specified College-level prerequisite preadmission courses
- Theoretical instruction integrated with laboratory simulations and clinical experience
- Hands-on clinical experience in our modern medical center and a variety of affiliated clinical sites
- Financial aid for students who qualify
- Associated with Riverside Health System Career planning services for current students and alumni
- Low Instructor-Student ratio
Prerequisite College Courses/Credits
- Anatomy and Physiology with Lab - 4 Credits*
- English Composition - 3 Credits
- College Math (any 100-level or higher) - 3 Credits
- Psychology: Gen, Intro, or Developmental - 3 Credits
- Medical Terminology - 2 Credits
*Applicants must have completed the Anatomy & Physiology with Lab, English Composition, and College Math requirements before a formal application can be submitted and reviewed. Psychology and Medical Terminology must be completed prior to matriculation.
Preadmission Testing Requirements
ATI TEAS
Suggested Score: 61.4%
Other Requirements
- The applicant must be a graduate of an accredited U.S. high school with a GPA of 2.0 or higher or have earned a high school equivalency (GED) certificate.
- Preadmission testing required.
Surgical Technology
- General Education Prerequisites: 15 credit hours
- RCHC Program Hours - Theory: 39 credit hours
- RCHC Program Hours - Lab: 6.5 credit hours
- RCHC Program Hours - Clinical: 19 credit hours
ACCREDITED BY:
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355 113th ST. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350, www.caahep.org
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation Review Council on Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA), which conducts periodic surveys of the program and makes accreditation recommendations based on its findings to CAAHEP. The program is evaluated for accreditation based on the published Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Education Programs in Surgical Technology, which is available on the CAAHEP website at www.caahep.org.
Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA)
6 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 110
Littleton, CO 80120
303-694-9262, www.arcsta.org - Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314
N. Falls Church, VA 22043
703-917-9503, www.abhes.org
CREDENTIALING:
- Students in their last semester are required to take the National Certifying Examination for Surgical Technologists. Application and fees for the certification exam are included in the tuition. Past program graduates taking the National Certifying Examination for Surgical Technologists are responsible for the application and fee. Further information may be obtained from:
National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
3 West Creek Circle
Littleton, CO 80120
800-707-0057, www.nbstsa.org
INSTITUTIONAL CERTIFICATION:
- Certified by the State Council of Higher Education (SCHEV) to operate in Virginia.
SCHEV
101 N. 14th Street
James Monroe Building
Richmond, VA 23219
804-225-2600, www.schev.edu
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION:
- Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314
N. Falls Church, VA 22043
703-917-9503, www.abhes.org
RIVERSIDE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER ACCREDITED BY
- DNV GL - Healthcare
400 Techne Center Drive Suite 100
Milford, OH 45150
www.dnvglhealthcare.com
Tuition Breakdown for Surgical Technology Program
- $350 per GEN/HLT credit
- $350 per SUR credit
Total Tuition: $22,575
Other Associated Costs
- Book Estimate: $741
- Uniform & Shoe Estimate: $50
- Credentialing Estimate: Included in Tuition
Surgical Case Requirements
Surgical Technology students are required to scrub for 150 surgeries to be eligible for graduation. More information on specific Surgical Case Requirements can be found here.
The RCHC Surgical Technology program’s curriculum meets all eligibility requirements for graduates to apply for applicable registration and examination from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Department of Education regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v) requires programs disclose that there has not been a determination of whether a curriculum meets requirements of other states unless otherwise provide in specific program information. To determine if a program meets any specific state other than Virginia, please refer here.