Surgical Technology
AAS
Why study Surgical Technology?
As critical members of life-saving teams, surgical technologists are part of the sterile team in surgical operations under the supervision of a surgeon. Also called scrubs or operating-room technicians, surgical technologists work alongside surgeons, first assistants, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses in the operating room.
Before an operation, prior to scrubbing for surgery, a surgical technologist might help the team to assemble and adjust non-sterile equipment, ensuring it is working properly. Surgical technologists help prepare the operating room by scrubbing and then gowning and gloving to set up a sterile back table with surgical instruments, equipment, supplies, drapes, and solutions. Once a patient is positioned and prepped, the surgical technologist will help the surgeon and surgical assistant don sterile gowns and gloves and then apply sterile surgical drapes to the patient.
During surgery, surgical technologists pass instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons and surgical assistants. They may hold retractors and cut sutures. They are responsible for the counting of sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments. Surgical technologists help apply dressings at the end of a procedure and care for specimens prior to taking them for laboratory analysis.
After an operation, surgical technologists may help transfer patients to the recovery room, or intensive care unit, as well as clean and restock the operating room. Some other might work in the sterile processing department decontaminating instruments and equipment or re-assembling instrument sets and operating sterilizers.
The operating room is a fast-paced environment. Individuals well suited for this program enjoy challenges, multi-tasking, and even a degree of stress in the work environment.
Visit the UC Clermont Surgical Technology website.
Federal regulations require the University of Cincinnati to publicly disclose whether completion of certain programs that lead or may lead to professional licensure or certification would meet a given state’s educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for employment in an occupation (regardless of whether the program is on-ground, online, or hybrid). To learn whether a University program meets a given state’s educational requirements, please visit the University of Cincinnati State Authorization webpage.
Admission Requirements
This program is open to all students with a high school diploma or GED and the desire to succeed in college. Although admission is open, students accepted into the program must meet the academic standards of the program to advance to upper levels of study.
As a first-year student, you will need to take an English and mathematics placement test if you have not obtained the minimum ACT/SAT score required for exemption. These tests do not affect your admission; however, the results are essential for your proper placement in classes. You must complete placement tests before you register for English or mathematics courses. All placement tests are given free of charge.
Additional admissions requirements to be completed after admission to the program include the following:
- Physical exam
- Immunizations
- Proof of health insurance
- Background check
- Drug screening
You must also have successfully taken high school biology and chemistry within six years with a C or better. If not, you must take Biology for Health Professionals and Technical Programs I (BIOL1051C), and Introduction to Chemistry and Biochemistry (CHEM1020C) lecture and lab and have an overall GPA of 2.75 before joining the list to start the Surgical Technology program.
Due to the popularity of the program and a limit on the number of clinical sites available to the program, there is a possibility there will be a waiting list. The pre-Surgical Technology Advisor will have information about the list and, if applicable, a potential wait time.
Surgical technologists should have an excellent sense of responsibility, work quickly with attention to detail, deal well with emergencies and be able to prioritize tasks. They also need good manual dexterity and a high tolerance for blood, other bodily fluids and odors. Technologists tolerate standing for long hours without food, drink or bathroom breaks. They also must be conscientious, orderly and emotionally stable to handle the demands of the operating-room environment. Technologists must be willing to study throughout their careers in order to keep up with medical advances.
Employment opportunities include the following:
- certified surgical technologist
- sterile processing manager
- surgical technology instructor
- sterile processing instructor
Academic advising is an essential part of your educational experience.
We are committed to providing advice and assistance throughout your academic journey. You and your advisor work together to create an academic plan based on your goals.
Questions? Email us at clermont.advising@uc.edu or call 513-558-8317 to schedule an appointment.
UC Clermont students have access to free tutoring and academic support services through Learning Commons. The Learning Commons provides centralized academic support for all University of Cincinnati students by bringing together faculty, best-practices in teaching and learning, and hundreds of outstanding peer educators to create flexible academic success programming. Free services available to UC Clermont students include academic coaching, group review session, success skills workshops, and tutoring in writing, math, science and more. Services are available on-campus or virtually. Visit the Learning Commons webpage for more information or schedule an appointment online.
Academic Coaching – Academic coaches help students get organized and learn to be efficient and effective with their study time during one-on-one sessions. Academic Coaches work with students on new strategies or exercises to try before the next meeting and later meetings allow tailoring new approaches to develop the best study and test taking habits for unique goals and strengths. Schedule one-hour sessions as often as once per week.
Academic Writing Center (AWC) – The Academic Writing Center (AWC) offers tutoring for all stages of the writing process, from brainstorming to incorporating research. The AWC is not course-specific and can help with discipline-specific documents, as well as non-course-based writing. Schedule a one-on-one appointment with a trained writing tutor or submit a paper online for feedback within 48 hours.
Group Review Sessions (GRS) – Group Review Sessions (GRS) are small study groups, led by a peer leader, that meet to review content that is covered in course-supported lectures each week. Find the list of supported courses on the Learning Commons website.
Math & Science Support Center (MASS) – The MASS Center offers virtual study tables for many undergraduate mathematics and science courses. Study tables provide a collaborative learning space so that students can learn from their peers who have excelled (the table leader) as well as their fellow class members attending the study table. No appointment is necessary for these scheduled group study sessions. You can view the up-to-date study table schedule on the Learning Commons website.
Peer Tutoring – Peer tutoring sessions are one-on-one with a subject-specific tutor to answer questions and help you master content in more than 200 undergraduate courses, including subjects such as math, science, languages and business. Schedule appointments up to 7 days in advance for one-hour, 90-minute or two-hour session. If you notice your desired course is not offered, please let us know.
Preparatory Composition – Students enrolled in UC Clermont Preparatory English (ENGL0099) courses have dedicated support from professional tutors. Information about these services and how to connect with the tutor is included in the course syllabus.
Success Skills Workshops – Success Skills Workshops are free one-hour sessions that focus on skills students need to be successful in college (study skills, note-taking, motivation, etc.). While there is no shortcut to success, the goal of the workshops is to empower students to identify and apply academic habits and soft skills through a deeper understanding and purpose of them. When students RSVP for a workshop, they will be able to register for the upcoming workshops one at a time and up to nine days prior to the workshop date.
Canvas Navigator Workshop – Designed to help students who are new to college and need help navigating their coursework online. The workshop shows students how to access their course materials, publisher homework, quizzes, textbooks, academic services like tutoring, and more. Students who attend this workshop can expect to gain clarity on what they need to do on a weekly basis to stay on track with their course work throughout the semester, which helps students stay motivated leading to greater confidence and success in their courses.
Math Placement Test Workshop – Offered to prospective and current UC students who want to brush up on their math skills before taking the Math Placement Test. The free synchronous online workshop is led by a UC Clermont professional tutor. The three-week workshop series is offered monthly except in January. It is recommended that students sign up for all three weeks to get the maximum benefit from these workshops.
Math for Science Students Workshop – Designed for students enrolled in entry-level biology and chemistry courses, these workshops cover foundational math concepts that students need to success in their science courses. The synchronous online workshops are led by a UC Clermont tutor. The workshop repeats each week starting the week before classes begin and continuing through week 3 of the semester.
In order to graduate from UC Clermont, a student must:
- Complete all required course work and program requirements
- Obtain at least a 2.0 university grade point average
- Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension
- Meet the college's residency requirement of 20 semester credit hours
- File formal application for the degree by the posted semester of graduation deadline
Prior to graduation, you must apply for the certification exam through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). This exam will be administered prior to graduation on the Clermont campus.
For more information on certification, visit the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting webpage.
We accept transfer applications all year long, and you may start any semester, provided your transcripts arrive in time to be evaluated before the start of the semester you wish to attend.
If you have not taken college-level mathematics or English, you will need to take the corresponding placement test.
You must also meet all the admissions requirements of a beginning student.
Other UC students may transfer into UC Clermont College by completing the application for change in college and program. You are urged to see your advisor before transferring into a different major to minimize any impact on your degree progress.
You must also meet all the admissions requirements of a beginning student.
You must demonstrate English proficiency. You must also meet admissions deadlines and visa requirements, and provide documentation of sufficient funds before we can complete your admission. Please call the International Admissions Office (513) 556-2069 for details or email with questions.
Learn more about becoming an international student at UC Clermont.
Application Deadlines
For specific deadline information, visit the Admissions webpage.
Our surgical technology program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Contact Information
Clermont College
4200 Clermont College Drive
Batavia, OH 45103
(513) 558-8316
clermont.admissions@uc.edu
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Program Code: 34ASC-STN-AAS