Mission: The mission of this program is to provide training for employment in the surgical area of the health care industry. The surgical technologist works under the supervision of surgical and nursing personnel to facilitate the safe and effective administration of invasive procedures.

Program H170211 consists of a planned sequence of courses.

Basic Healthcare Worker - Course HSC0003 (90 hours) – Is available through transfer only with transcript verifying completion of basic health care and safety procedures, employability, communications, interpersonal skills, basic mathematics, science and computer literacy.

Central Supply Assistant - Course STS0015 (210 hours) – Consists of theory and application of central services departmental organization and function; basic anatomy, physiology, microbiology and chemistry related to central service activities; quality assurance; infection control and isolation techniques, principles of safety; principles, methods and controls of sterilization processes; cleaning, processing packaging, distributing, and storing.

Surgical Technologist, 1 of 3 - Course STS0010 (343 hours) – This course provides the student with an introduction to anatomy and basic physiology, microbiology, the biomedical sciences, and pharmacology.

Surgical Technologist, 2 of 3 - Course STS0011 (343 hours) – This course provides an introduction to operating room theory with a practical application of the skills to be performed by the surgical technologist; principles and concepts of aseptic technique and their relation to the surgical suite; proper use of instrumentation, sutures, needles, and surgical counts; all other techniques associated with the surgical technologist’s role; and a review of anatomy and the various specialties.

Surgical Technologist, 3 of 3 - Course STS0012 (344 hours) – This course includes legal and ethical responsibilities; clinical application; and a continuation of the study of anatomy and specialty areas.

Special Admission Requirements: Specific health occupations admission guidelines (immunizations, drug screening, background check, etc.) are available in Admissions.

Distance Education:  Not available at this time

Articulation Agreement(s):  Pinellas County Schools Centers for Wellness and Medical Professions

Program Accreditation: The Pinellas Technical Education Centers’ Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), on recommendation of the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST).

          Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

          1361 Park Street

          Clearwater, FL  33756

          (727) 210-2350

Industry Certification(s):  Completion of the program prepares and qualifies the graduate for employment in the field; and to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) exam to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)