Surgical Technology Associate Degree Program
Program Type
Associate Degree
Delivery Method
On Campus
Course Length
Approximately
18 months
Program Objective
A surgical technologist is the go-to person on the surgical team who manages and prepares operating rooms, equipment, instrumentation and supplies during surgical procedures. They can also advocate for patient safety and manage the sterile field.
The day-to-day responsibilities of a surgical technologist include working under surgeons, facilitating a safe, sterile environment during surgery and ensuring functioning equipment.
Students in the Surgical Technology program will receive hands-on training and lab activities, taught by experienced instructors, that improve their confidence in the following:
- Understand the properties of lasers and physics in the surgical setting
- Understand the application of asepsis and sterile technique
- Prepare surgical robotics and endoscopic equipment for use during surgery
- Facilitate the safe and effective conduct of both invasive and non-invasive surgical procedures
- Interact with a healthcare team and work under the supervision of a surgeon
- Sterilize equipment, assemble surgical supplies and set up operating room for surgery
- Assist surgical team with patient transport and positioning
- Prepare patients for surgery, such as by washing and disinfecting incision sites
- Help surgeons during surgery by passing instruments and other sterile supplies
- Count supplies, such as sponges and instruments
- Prepare and handle medications used during the operative procedure
Graduates of the program from this school may sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) credentialing exam for the following positions:
- Surgical technology
- Registered surgical technology
- Certified surgical technology
- Staff surgical technology
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Careers in Surgical Technology
What Are My Career Opportunities as a Surgical Technologist?
What Are My Career Opportunities as a Surgical Technologist?
This associate degree program will prepare graduates to apply their skills in a number of different roles, such as:
- Surgical technologist
- Laser/endoscopy technologist
- Procurement technologist
- Labor and delivery technologist
- Private surgical technologist
- Travel surgical technologist
- Educator
They can work in a variety of environments:
- Hospitals
- Outpatient surgery centers
- Endoscopy clinics
- Plastic surgery offices
- Medical device company
- Labor and delivery
- Central sterile department
Job Outlook
Job Outlook
Advances in medical technology have made surgery safer, and more operations are being done to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations.
Continued Education
Continued Education
Graduating with an associate degree is a vital pathway toward pursuing higher education later on. Interested in breaking into leadership or healthcare administration? At Pima Medical Institute, we offer an online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration that will give you the skills needed to move up within the healthcare industry, all with the flexibility of virtual instruction. Work on your degree anywhere, anytime.Online B.S. in Health Care Administration
When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.
Clinical Externships
At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.
In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.
Program Outline
Learn more about the courses in this program.
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Semester I
Semester II
Semester III
Semester IV
Semester V
Interested In Starting This Program?
Find out more about our Admissions Requirements or view our How to Apply page.
Success Is Within Reach
We are truly invested in making sure our students succeed.
“I am grateful Pima Medical placed me in a prestigious hospital for my clinical site because the experience enabled me to get a job quite quickly. I am currently working at a plastic surgery center. My goal down the road is to get back to a hospital setting where I can work with the Da Vinci surgery robot, something I find fascinating. If you’re looking for a fast-paced career where you can test yourself or a career with a lot of possibilities for growth and specialty paths, the Surgical Technology program at Pima Medical would be a great fit for you. “
Leah Elswick, Surgical Technology Graduate
Pima Medical Blog
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This Phoenix Graduate found a fulfilling career thanks to Pima Medical’s Surgical Technology program.
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Disclosures And Accreditations
State Licensure Determination Disclosure
The Surgical Technology program is offered via on-ground and hybrid delivery methods. The program is available to residents of Arizona, California, and Colorado, and meets applicable licensure requirements in those states. While there may be online components, completion of this program requires on-ground attendance at the campus at which the student is enrolled and cannot be completed solely via distance education. Prospective students and enrolled students should understand that moving out of the state in which they enrolled may adversely impact a student’s ability to complete the program. If a student is planning to relocate outside of their state of enrollment he or she is required to discuss this with the Student Services Coordinator and/or Program Director.
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43 Pima Medical Institute has made a reasonable effort to determine graduate eligibility for licensure in all states for programs designed and advertised as leading to licensure. The document below lists Pima Medical Institute programs and states where the curriculum meets licensure requirements, states where the curriculum does not meet licensure requirements, and states in which Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the curriculum meets state licensure requirements. All consumers should be advised that due to the frequent changes to state statutes, rules, and regulations Pima Medical Institute cannot guarantee licensure based on the lists below.