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  1. Programs
  3. Surgical Technology

Surgical Technology

Aiken Technical College

Associate's DegreeAcademicCIP: 51.0909

Become a contributor for free to openly demonstrate student outcomes, industry alignment & eligibility criteria.

The Associate in Applied Science with a Major in Surgical Technology will provide students with the surgical technology skills needed for employment in medical facilities. Upon successful completion, the student will be eligible to take the national certification exam administered through The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

Credits

75 credits

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Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

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Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.

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Locations

Where this program is offered

  • Graniteville, South Carolina

    2276 Jefferson Davis Highway, Graniteville, South Carolina, 29829

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Related Programs

Programs related to this one

No related programs.

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populated·from O*NET via SOC 29-9093.00

Skills

Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionMonitoringCoordinationOperations MonitoringService OrientationTime ManagementInstructingLearning StrategiesWritingActive Learning

Knowledge

Medicine and DentistryEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServiceBiologyPsychology

Abilities

Oral ComprehensionNear VisionOral ExpressionProblem SensitivitySpeech RecognitionArm-Hand SteadinessSpeech ClarityWritten ComprehensionFinger DexterityVisual Color DiscriminationSelective AttentionManual DexterityInformation OrderingPerceptual SpeedWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningInductive Reasoning

Tasks

  • Verify the identity of patient or operative site.
  • Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
  • Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
  • Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
  • Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
  • Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical cl
  • Schedule surgical procedures for patients.
  • Transport patients to and from the operating room.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, an
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.

Technology

Medical softwareWord processing softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation softwareElectronic mail softwareCloud-based data access and sharing softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareComputer based training softwareCalendar and scheduling software

Tools

Anesthesia cartsAngiocathsArgon beam coagulatorsAutomated external defibrillators AEDBlanket warmer cabinetsBlood warming equipmentBody stabilizersC-arm tablesCarbon dioxide CO2 lasersCardiac monitoring equipmentCast cutting sawsCauterizing equipmentCell saversDesktop computersEndoscopic camera/video systemsAdjustable height instrument tablesAir driver drillsAnesthesia machinesAutoclavesAutologous blood recovery systemsAutotransfusion systemsBlood/fluid warmersCardiac leg wedgesCardiovascular stentsCavitronsCentral venous cathetersChest drains3D movement analysis systemsAgar slidesAutomated ESR analyzers

Work Values

RelationshipsAchievementRecognitionSupportWorking ConditionsIndependence
Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

  • Surgical Assistants29-9093.00
  • Surgical Technologists29-2055.00
  • Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary25-1071.00
What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populated·from NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Associate's Degree)

  • Patient identity protocols — independently verify patient identity and operative site against surgical records at the start of each procedure with minimal oversight.
  • Aseptic field integrity — monitor and maintain sterile technique throughout routine surgical procedures, recognizing and correcting minor breaks without prompting.
  • Sterile operative field — apply and adjust surgical drapes during a variety of routine procedures to sustain consistent sterility throughout the operation.
  • Patient positioning and padding — coordinate the placement of patients using body stabilizing equipment for common surgical exposures, applying protective padding to prevent nerve or circulatory complications.
  • Retractors, sponges, and irrigation equipment — manage and deploy during routine procedures to maintain an unobstructed operative field with reduced supervisor intervention.
  • Wound closure materials — apply sutures, staples, and clips to close skin, fascia, and subcutaneous layers on routine cases following surgeon direction.
  • Sterile wound dressings — prepare, select, and apply appropriate dressings independently for standard post-operative wounds in a general surgery setting.
  • Pre-operative case review — discuss with the surgeon the procedure type, operative exposure methods, and patient directives before each assigned case.
  • Intraoperative problem recognition — identify and report deviations from expected operative conditions such as unexpected bleeding or positioning complications to the surgeon promptly.
  • Electronic medical records and office software — document surgical assistant activities, patient data, and post-operative notes accurately using hospital information systems.

Some details on this page are auto-populated from public workforce data sources: O*NET (opens in new tab), BLS (opens in new tab), College Scorecard (opens in new tab), DOL Training Provider Results (opens in new tab), NSX (opens in new tab). Provided in partnership with LER.me Career Intelligence.

Student Outcomes

Performance metrics for this program

Auto-populated·from Scorecard + DOL
Completion Rate
7%
Placement Rate
83%