Surgical Technology

 

The 2024-2025 application will open in January 2024


Application Requirements for General Education

The PCC Surgical Technology program is five (5) semesters in length starting each fall and is a full-time Monday thru Friday program with lecture, lab and clinical components. The program has limited entry based on current clinical contracts and requires that candidates submit a program application and participate in a hands-on interviewing process for admittance.


Pre-requisite Requirements:

Applicants must have BIO1006 Basic Anatomy & Physiology and one (1) ENG1021 or COM1105/COM1250 pre-requisite course completed prior to application. Courses may be in progress in the summer term.

  • ENG1021 English Composition I (3)
  • COM1105 Career Communication or COM1250 Interpersonal Communication or COM115 Public Speaking (3)

If accepted, you will be required to complete BIO1016 Introduction to Human Diseases on-line in the fall of your first year and the remaining ENG/COM course on-line in the fall of your second year.  

Please see the STE Guided Pathway for additional general education requirements within the two-year pathway.

Why PCC?

A surgical technologist is a vital member of the operating room team. Through quality classroom and hands-on training, PCC’s experienced instructors will prepare you to immediately assume the wide range of entry-level responsibilities in the profession of Surgical Technology. 

Amber Anger, Surgical Technology Student
Surgical Technology Graduate
Amber Anger

Whether discussing her career or road trips, Amber Anger is ready to explore.

The 2023 graduate of PCC’s surgical technology program is preparing for her first big move – to North Carolina, where she was offered a position at Duke Regional Hospital. The facility is part of the renowned Duke University Health System. 

Anger got the job the same day she interviewed for it.

“I was over the moon,” she said. “I feel like that is where I should be.”

Read Amber's Story

What will I learn?

PCC’s Surgical Technology program will provide you with entry-level experience in surgical techniques, patient preparation, preparing the OR, creating and maintaining a sterile field, scrubbing, gowning and gloving, draping, and utilizing surgical case management. You will learn how to apply hemostasis; use sutures, needles and stapling devices; handle specimens; understand surgical pharmacology and anesthesia; prepare controlled medications on the sterile field; apply wound care and dressing applications; and utilize the principles of asepsis.

Additionally, you will be prepared to handle sharps safely; manage surgical instrumentation, supplies and equipment during surgical procedures; perform surgical counts; and carry out the necessary skills needed to process and sterilize instrumentation and supplies properly.

Finally, you will participate in extensive clinical rotations within hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers to gain experience working in the operating room with certified surgical technologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, circulating nurses and other qualified OR team members.

After successfully completing the program, you will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam for Surgical Technology given by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Upon passing the exam, you can practice as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

 

Updated Application Requirements

The PCC Surgical Technology program is five (5) semesters in length starting each fall and is a full-time Monday thru Friday program with lecture, lab and clinical components. The program has limited entry based on current clinical contracts and requires that candidates submit a program application and participate in a hands-on interviewing process for admittance.
 

PCC is excited to announce that the application deadline has been pushed back to June 23, 2023. In an effort to make the application process easier for you to pursue your education in Surgical Technology, PCC has reduced the pre-requisite requirement to one course prior to application. For additional changes, please see below.
 

Changes for 2023:

  • Application deadline has been moved to June 23, 2023
  • Hands-on in person interviews have been moved to July 5-7, 2023
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation are required
  • Only one (1) of the four (4) pre-requisite courses is required prior to applying. You may choose from the below general education courses:
    • BIO1006 Basic Anatomy & Physiology (4)
    • BIO1016 Introduction to Human Diseases (3)
    • ENG1021 English Composition I (3)
    • COM1105 Career Communication or COM1250 Interpersonal Communication or COM115 Public Speaking (3)
  • The other three (3) general education courses will be scheduled as follows:
    • One (1) general education course – fall 2023
    • One (1) general education course – summer 2024
    • One (1) general education course – fall 2024
    • COM2063 Conflict Resolution (1), COM2069 Leadership (1) and HPR1039 Medical Terminology (2) must be completed by the end of fall 2024 semester. The Department Chair will work with you to create a schedule.

All general education courses must be taken as on-line courses within the Surgical Technology degree pathway. Students may substitute BIO2101/BIO2102 Human Anatomy I & II for BIO1006 and BIO2104 Microbiology for BIO1016. If you are completing a pre-requisite course in the summer semester, please notate this as IP (in process) in your application.

Requirements that remain the same:

  • Apply to Pueblo Community College.
  • Print and complete the application (page 5)
  • Provide all unofficial transcripts from prior schools, including PCC.
  • Sign the STE Essential Functions (page 6-7)
  • Complete the work/volunteer/military history form (page 8)
  • Research and prepare a 300-word essay on why you want to become a Surgical Technologist and how you plan to meet the demands of this rigorous full-time program
  • Complete and sign the Application Checklist.
  • Submit your application
 

Accreditation

The PCC Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs ( www.caahep.org) 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 | 25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158 | Clearwater, FL 33763 | 727-210-2350 | www.caahep.org

 

Marijuana Policy

THC (marijuana) is part of the required 10-panel drug screen prior to admittance into any Health Professions or Public Safety program at PCC. The passage of Amendment 64 in the State of Colorado, does not overrule Federal law, which states this is still an illegal substance. Students testing positive for THC (marijuana, including prescription marijuana) will not be allowed entrance or re-entrance into a Health or Public Safety program.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

The licensure requirements for Surgical Technology may differ between all 50 states and U.S. territories.  

Pueblo Community College (PCC) recommends each student visit National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting to identify the program requirements for each state in which you plan to live and practice.  

PCC can only guarantee that the requirements for the state of Colorado are met with our program.
Colorado Surgical Assistant and Surgical Technologist  

PCC has not determined if the Surgical Technology meets applicable state requirements for the following states and territories: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Degree & Certificate Offerings in Surgical Technology:

Surgical Technology, AAS

Award/Program Credits
64

Program Information

Location
Pueblo Campus
Pathway
Health Professions
Awards
AAS
Course Availability
Day
Clinicals: Day, Evening, Weekends
Program Start
Fall
Program Length
5 Semesters

Quick Links

Contact

Diana Montoya
719-549-3279
Diana.Montoya@pueblocc.edu