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  1. Programs
  2. Surgical Technology

Surgical Technology

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville

DiplomaNon-degreeCIP: 51.0909

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

The Surgical Technology Program trains individuals to prepare the operating room, select and care for instruments, provide technical assistance to the surgeon and nursing team during surgery, and breakdown the room after the surgery. The program consists of four months of concentrated theory and lab practice, two months of integrated theory and clinical preparation, and six months of clinical practice.

Duration

12 Months

Credits

35 credits

Cost

Total Tuition/Fees $4,535.00 Textbook/Supplies Cost $1,328.00Show moreShow less

Format

In-Person

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Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

  • Program Pathway to Health & Human ServiceFrom The University of Tennessee
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Program Details

Detailed information about this program

The Surgical Technology Program trains individuals to prepare the operating room, select and care for instruments, provide technical assistance to the surgeon and nursing team during surgery, and breakdown the room after the surgery. The program consists of four months of concentrated theory and lab practice, two months of integrated theory and clinical preparation, and six months of clinical practice. How To Apply To complete admissions for Surgical Technology program applicants must submit all general admissions requirements, Surgical Technology program specific requirements, and documents for points by the published deadline to be considered. Acceptance is competitive based on a point system. Completion of admissions requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. General Admissions Requirements Please submit to Student Services Office at 1100 Liberty Street, Knoxville TN 37919 Complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online – and our school code is 004025. Complete the Application for Enrollment form online at www.tcatknoxville.edu and select APPLY NOW for the Spring trimester. Submit the additional program requirements listed below. Surgical Technology Program Admission Requirements Student must be 18 years of age by the start of class Provide an official high school transcript or equivalent (a special education diploma will not qualify.) Transcripts can be sent either by mail, carried in the original sealed envelope, or electronically from the educational institution directly to TCAT Knoxville to the email admissions@tcatknoxville.edu . IMPORTANT: If you have foreign transcripts you will need to submit an English translated version of your transcript and an education evaluation both must obtained through the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Please visit their website at www.naces.org for more information. Take and pass the Allied Health Prerequisite, HESI Exam. Exam is over Math and Reading Comprehension the cost is $50.00. Passing scores are 50 in math and reading score of 70. Applicants are responsible for submitting a copy of their HESI scores with their application because scores are not automatically linked with other application documents on the date of their exam. ​2026 HESI Exam Schedule​ Provide documentation of two MMR and two Varicella immunization doses or proof of immunity. Provide current CPR card certification from American Heart Association in BLS for Healthcare Providers which covers basic life support in infant, child, adult, choking and AED. According to CDC guidelines, you may be exposed to blood borne pathogens and infectious materials while in this program.

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

  • Knoxville, Tennessee

    1100 Liberty Street, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37919

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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 29-2055.00

Skills

Active ListeningCritical ThinkingSpeakingReading ComprehensionMonitoringCoordinationService OrientationSocial PerceptivenessOperations MonitoringWritingJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementInstructingLearning StrategiesActive Learning

Knowledge

English LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceMedicine and DentistryPsychologyEducation and TrainingBiologyAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsAdministration and Management

Abilities

Oral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityNear VisionOral ExpressionSpeech ClarityWritten ComprehensionSpeech RecognitionDeductive ReasoningWritten ExpressionInductive ReasoningArm-Hand SteadinessInformation OrderingFinger DexteritySelective AttentionManual DexterityPerceptual SpeedVisual Color Discrimination

Tasks

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
  • Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
  • Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
  • Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
  • Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
  • Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical r
  • Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions, such as adverse reactions
  • Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse
  • Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patients'
  • Evaluate the functioning of the neuromuscularskeletal system and the spine using systems of chiropra
  • Diagnose health problems by reviewing patients' health and medical histories, questioning, observing
  • Perform a series of manual adjustments to the spine or other articulations of the body to correct th
  • Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and policies.
  • Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile and all needles, sy
  • Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
  • Confirm the identities of patients by verifying their personal information.

Technology

Medical softwareData base user interface and query softwareOffice suite softwareSpreadsheet softwareElectronic mail softwareCloud-based data access and sharing softwarePresentation softwareWord processing softwareCalendar and scheduling softwareCategorization or classification softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareComputer based training softwareBusiness intelligence and data analysis softwareBilling and invoicing softwareAccounting softwareVideo conferencing softwareInventory management softwareWeb platform development software

Tools

Adjustable height instrument tablesAir driver drillsAnesthesia machinesArgon beam coagulatorsAutoclavesAutologous blood recovery systemsAutotransfusion systemsBlood/fluid warmersCarbon dioxide CO2 lasersCardiac leg wedgesCardiovascular stentsCavitronsCell saversCentral venous cathetersChest drainsAnesthesia cartsAngiocathsAutomated external defibrillators AEDBlanket warmer cabinetsBlood warming equipmentBody stabilizersC-arm tablesCardiac monitoring equipmentCast cutting sawsCauterizing equipmentDesktop computersEndoscopic camera/video systems3D movement analysis systemsAgar slidesAutomated ESR analyzers

Work Values

RelationshipsSupportAchievementWorking ConditionsRecognitionIndependence
Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

  • Surgical Technologists29-2055.00
  • Surgical Assistants29-9093.00
  • 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 Diploma)

  • Sterile field integrity — monitor and sustain a proper sterile field throughout varied surgical procedures with minimal prompting from the surgical team.
  • Instrument and sponge reconciliation — conduct accurate pre- and post-operative counts independently and communicate discrepancies to the circulating nurse in a timely manner.
  • Scrub team preparation — guide new team members through the scrubbing and gowning process, ensuring compliance with aseptic technique in the OR.
  • Intraoperative instrument passing — anticipate surgeon needs and hand instruments, retractors, and sutures efficiently during routine general and specialty cases.
  • Patient draping and positioning — set up and apply sterile drapes for multiple procedure types, adapting to patient anatomy and surgical access requirements.
  • Technical assistance coordination — provide reliable support to surgeons and anesthesiologists by managing instrument tables and responding promptly to verbal directions.
  • Specimen care and chain of custody — prepare, label, and document tissue specimens for laboratory analysis, maintaining proper chain of custody throughout.
  • Sterilization quality assurance — verify that sterilization cycles meet required standards and document results in the facility's sterilization tracking database.
  • Time management in the OR — organize back table setup and turnover tasks to meet scheduled case start times across multiple daily procedures.
  • Critical incident recognition — identify breaks in sterile technique or equipment anomalies and report them promptly to the appropriate team member during live cases.

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
74%
Placement Rate
94%