Surgical technologists work closely with surgeons and registered nurses, are able to anticipate the needs of the physician during surgery, and assist in the care of the patient during surgical procedures. Surgical technologists play a crucial role in patient care and safety.
Anoka Technical College's Surgical Technology program is designed to develop skills in all phases of operating room procedures and techniques, including clinical experience in the operating room.
Rewarding career as a key member of the surgical team
Hands-on training from industry experts
High growth rate compared to other careers in Minnesota
Potential Jobs:
- Certified Surgical Technologist
- Surgical Technician
- Operating Room (OR) Technician
- Surgical Scrub Technologist
Salary Information:
Median Wage: $30.27 per hour
Top Earners: $38.57 per hour
Information provided is for Minnesota. See current data at careerwise.minnstate.edu
Hear from our Students
Program Details
The Anoka Technical College Surgical Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a 60-credit program designed to develop skills in all phases of operating room procedures and techniques, including clinical experience in the operating room.
In addition to operating room techniques, surgical procedures, surgical instruments and equipment, students study surgical microbiology, surgical pharmacology, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, asepsis (sterile technique), preparation of the patient for surgery, and the physical conditions that make it necessary for a person to have surgery.
- Accept constructive criticism and demonstrate the appropriate behavior change.
- Communicate effectively in medical language.
- Ability to transfer theoretical knowledge to clinical situations.
- Adjust to changes in technology.
- Understand his/her role and function as a member of the surgical team.
- Display professional behavior.
- Demonstrate the principles of aseptic technique consistently.
- Adhere to program/hospital policies and procedures according to industry standards.
A surgical technologist functions mainly as a scrub person in a hospital operating room. The technologist sets up the instruments, drapes, sutures, and supplies for surgical procedures, assists the surgeon and other operating team members with gowning and gloving for surgery, and hands instruments, sutures and supplies to the surgeon throughout the operative procedure.
Surgical technologists work closely with surgeons and registered nurses, are able to anticipate the needs of the physician during surgery, and assist in the care of the patient during surgical procedures.
Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
The Anoka Technical College Surgical Technology program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP):
9355 135th St N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
Accreditation Review Council (ARC/STSA)
6 W. Dry Creek Circle, Suite #110
Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: 303-694-9262
Fax: 303-741-3655
info@arcstsa.org
Fall 2024 applications can be submitted starting May 28, 2024. Applications are considered first come, first served until the program is full.
Surgical Technology Program Application
Evidence of immunization is mandatory or a positive Rubella Titer. Students are strongly encouraged to take the Hepatitis B vaccine.
Admission Requirements
- Successful completion of the Sterile Processing certificate. Completion of Sterile Processing certificate does not guarantee placement into the Surgical Technology program.
- Accuplacer test: Reading Comprehension within last 3 years and Arithmetic with last 2 years or appropriate test score OR Associates or Bachelors degree from an accredited U.S. institution of higher learning.
- ATI TEAS: Adjusted Individual Total Score of 60% or higher
Second year courses are restricted to students admitted to the Surgical Technology program. A medical exam is REQUIRED.
Submit as a complete Application PDF Surg Tech Application file to enrollmentservices@anokatech.edu
Take a virtual tour to get an idea of what it's like to be a student at Anoka Tech.
Minnesota state law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with patients and/or residents at a health care facility have a background study conducted by the state.
Some courses in this program may require a prerequisite. Please see course descriptions for more details.
MnTC General Education Requirements
This program requires completion of the following nineteen credits of general education from at least three goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1106 | Principles of Biology (Goal 2&3) | 4 |
| BIOL 2100 | Anatomy & Physiology I (Goal 2&3) | 4 |
| BIOL 2200 | Anatomy & Physiology II (Goal 2&3) | 4 |
|
PSYC 1406 or |
General Psychology (Goal 5) or PSYC 1506 Lifespan Development (Goal 5) | 4 |
|
SPCH 1200 or |
Interpersonal Communication (Goal 1&7) or SPCH 1500 Intercultural Communication (Goal 1&7) | 3 |
Program Sequence
| First Semester | 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1106 | Principles of Biology | 4 |
| COMP 1002 | Computer Technologies for Communication | 2 |
| Second Semester | 10 | |
| BIOL 2100 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| HLTH 1040 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| PSYC 1406/PSYC 1506 | General Psychology/Lifespan Development | 4 |
| Third Semester | 12 | |
| BIOL 2200 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| SPCH 1200/SPCH 1500 | Interpersonal Communication/Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| SURG 1003 | Sterile Processing | 3 |
| SURG 1005 | Surgical Microbiology | 2 |
| Fourth Semester | 12 | |
| SURG 1010 | Surgical Pharmacology |
2
|
| SURG 1026 | Operating Room Theory |
2
|
| SURG 1027 | Operating Room Techniques |
4
|
| SURG 1035 | Operating Room Procedures I |
4
|
| Fifth Semester | 20 | |
| SURG 1037 | Operating Room Procedures II |
4
|
| SURG 2000 | OR (Operating Room) Clinical |
16
|
All BIOL courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher. All other courses required for this program must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
The Sterile Processing certificate is a prerequisite to the Surgical Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree.
Faculty
Enrollment Services
EnrollmentServices@anokatech.edu
763-576-7710
Current Students
Clinical hospitals are located in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Students must provide their own transportation to and from these assigned clinical sites and pay for any parking fees.
Graduates of the Anoka Technical College Surgical Technology program will take the National Certification Examination for Surgical Technologists.
National Certification Exam Results
| Year | Pass Rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 100% |
| 2022 | 94% |
| 2021 | 90% |
| 2020 | 87% |
| June 2019 | 88% |
| January 2019 | 100% |
| May 2018 | 93% |
| January 2018 |
100% |
| June 2017 | 100% |
| January 2017 | 83% |
| June 2016 | 100% |
| June 2015 | 81% |
|
June 2014 |
100% |
| January 2014 | 100% |
| June 2013 | 100% |
| January 2013 | 100% |
Our programs prepares students for the CST exam which is administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). According to AST (association of Surgical Technologists) the following states have passed law related to the education and certification of surgical technologists: Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Idaho. The following states require surgical technologists to register in order to work in the state: Colorado, North Dakota, and Washington. The following states offer optional registration/title protection for surgical technologists: Arkansas, Illinois, and Virginia. It appears AST has a resource for determining state laws for surgical technologists which can be found here: ast.org.
At this time we are unable to determine if our programs meet the licensure requirements for any state besides Minnesota.
Start Dates:
Fall semester: August
Spring semester: January
Upcoming Events:
Rita Schutz
RSchutz@anokatech.edu
Cathy Bishop
CBishop@anokatech.edu
Cynthia Farley
cynthia.farley@anokatech.edu
Enrollment Services
EnrollmentServices@anokatech.edu
763-576-7710
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