Overview
Degrees Offered: AAS
Limited Enrollment: Yes
Program Begins: Spring
Delivery Method: On Campus
Phone: 701-224-2429
Email: bsc.cet@bismarckstate.edu
Description
The Surgical Technology Program is a job readiness program for students interested in the exciting environment of the operating room. Surgical technologists work as integral members of the operating team, along with the surgeon, nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist, surgical first assistant, and circulating nurse. They possess an expertise in the theory and application of aseptic technique. Their combined knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and surgical instrumentation allows them to aid the surgeon in their performance of a sterile, safe, and successful surgical procedure.
Students receive both theoretical and laboratory instruction, as well as participate in a clinical internship. Study and degree completion is offered on a two-year or three-year cycle; however, the order and timing of the surgical technology courses remain the same. The Bismarck State College Surgical Technology Program is 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
9355 113th St. N Suite 7709, Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350, www.caahep.org (https://www.caahep.org/)
Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
19571 East Mainstreet, Suite #339, Parker CO 80138
303-694-9262, www.arcstsa.org (https://www.info@arcstsa.org)
Preparation
A strong science background is recommended with high school preparation in the biological sciences, especially anatomy and physiology. Successful students are those able to perform under pressure in stressful and emergent situations. A strong sense of responsibility, patience, concern for order, manual dexterity, mental stability, and physical stamina are vital.
Requirements
The Surgical Technology program is highly selective with limited enrollment. See Program Admission tab for more information.
Students who successfully complete the curriculum requirements earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Surgical Technology and are eligible to sit for the National Surgical Technologist Certifying Examination offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) at the end of sophomore year.
This program receives funding from the U.S. Department of Labor; therefore, veterans and eligible spouses receive priority of service over non-covered persons. (20 CFR 1010)
Minimum Expectations
The minimum expectations of graduates of the Bismarck State College Surgical Technology Program are to prepare entry-level surgical technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.
Career Opportunities
Surgical technologists are in demand across the nation in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, clinics, labor and delivery suites, medical insurance companies, medical sales companies, and sterile supply services. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Advances in medical technology have made surgery safer, and more operations are being done to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Surgical Technologists, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm (visited August 12, 2022).
Career Possibilities: A surgical technologist may function in the role of a surgical technologist or continue their education to function in the role of a surgical first assistant.
The most recent cohort from the BSC Surgical Technology program (class of 2024) had a 100% pass rate on the NBSTSA National Certified Surgical Technologist exam. The previous cohort (class of 2023) had an 100% pass rate on the NBSTSA National Certified Surgical Technologist exam.
College Admission
Review BSC's How to Apply page and complete the college admission requirements.
Program Admission
Pre-Application Requirements
Prior to applying to the Surgical Technology program student should:
- Show a required minimum cumulative GPA: 2.0
- Show successful completion, or current enrollment in, one full-time semester of at least 12 credit hours with a minimum overall 2.0-grade point average.
- Show successful completion, or current enrollment in, of BIOL 220/220L Anatomy & Physiology I and Lab with a “C” or better. Credits may be used to complete the 12-credit requirement outlined in the previous bullet.
Application
Admission occurs in the Spring. Applications will be accepted for the current academic year up to November 15th.
Pre-Acceptance
Application Receipt: Upon receipt of the program required application, the Surgical Technology program will complete an initial evaluation of the applicant's file for completeness of program specific requirements.
Interview: Applicants meeting the application requirements will be scheduled for an interview.
Note: If the applicant’s native language is not English, the Surgical Technology program will inform the applicant that an English Language Proficiency Test is required. A certain level of English proficiency is necessary for academic success in sonography as well as for patient safety. In addition to general college English proficiency requirements, all applicants for whom English is not their native language (including International and/or U.S. residents) and have not attended 4 years of U.S. high school and achieved a HS GPA of 3.0 or higher must meet additional language proficiency requirements for admission to the Surgical Technology Program.
To be considered for admission to the Surgical Technology Program, English as a second language (ESL) applicants must achieve minimum scores.
Minimum TOEFL internet-based test (TOEFL IBT) test scores of:
- Minimum cumulative score of 86 AND minimum individual scores of:
- 26 in Speaking
- 20 in Writing
- 20 in Reading
- 20 in Listening
Minimum Duolingo English test (DET) scores of:
- Minimum overall score of 115.
- It is expected that the applicant reaches a content score (variation as determined by the admission and progression committee) of 90 in the following four areas:
- Literacy (Reading)
- Comprehension (Listening)
- Conversation (Speaking)
- Production (Writing)
Post-Acceptance
Students will be notified of their acceptance during winter break prior to the start of the Spring semester.
Once accepted into the program, students will be required to successfully complete a medical examination, background checks, registration with the North Dakota Board of Nursing under the Unlicensed Assistive Person registry, immunizations required by clinical affiliations, drug screen, American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS-Healthcare Provider) CPR at their own cost.
- Clinical affiliates maintain sole discretion as to the student's ability to participate in the Surgical Technology Clinical Internship (SRGT 280).
- CPR must remain valid through the completion of SRGT 280 Clinical Internship.
Program Completion
- Students are required to earn "C" or higher or "T" (test credit) or "S" (satisfactory) in all designated courses for successful completion of the program.
- Students that successfully complete the curriculum earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Surgical Technology.
- Students must successfully take the National Surgical Technologist Certifying Examination offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) per ARC/STSA Outcomes Based Accreditation Requirements, at the end of sophomore year to become a nationally Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, Surgical Technology students will able to demonstrate:
- Knowledge of aseptic technique and basic surgical case preparation skills.
- Knowledge of basic instruments, supplies and equipment.
- Responsible behavior as a healthcare professional, including patients’ rights, ethical standards, legal aspects of practice and knowledge of occupational hazards.
- Knowledge of patient care skills.
- Knowledge of basic science.
- Knowledge of frequently used surgical procedures, including the role of first scrub on all.
