Surgical Technology

Event	Date
ST Program application cycle opens	TBD - May 2025
Information Session	TBD - May 2025
ST Program application cycle closes	TBD - June 1, 2025
Student notified of ST Program acceptance	No later than June 15, 2025

Program Outcomes

• Students will employ effective communication skills.
• Students will demonstrate independent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Students will apply the knowledge and skills to be clinically competent entry-level surgical technologists.
• Students will model professionalism and ethical behaviors.

Program Goals

• The program will have an average certification exam pass rate of not less than 70% at the first attempt upon students’ graduation.
• The program will have an average job placement rate of not less than 80% within twelve months of graduation.
• The program will have an annual cohort completion rate of not less than 60%.

Grade Computation

The percentage value of the alphabetical grading in all radiologic technology courses will be assigned as follows:
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
75-79% = C
65-74% = D
64% or below = F

Prerequisites and testing:

Complete the following courses with a “C” or better:

• ENGL 1301 (Composition I)
• BIOL 2401 (Anatomy & Physiology I)
• HITT 1305 (Medical Terminology I)
• SPCH 1318 (Interpersonal Communication)
• PSYC 2301 or PSYC (General Psychology or Lifespan Growth & Development)

Complete the HESI A2 Admission Assessment with a score of 75% or greater on each of the following sections:

• Math
• Reading Comprehension
• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Anatomy and Physiology

Immunizations

All students must provide proof of immunizations for:

After program acceptance, the student must provide:

• Yearly influenza
• Yearly negative TB screening (this may be through a skin test or blood test).
• COVID vaccine*

*College of the Mainland does not require COVID Vaccinations to attend classes; however, many of our affiliated clinical sites mandate COVID Vaccinations.

Estimated Program Clinical Costs

# Requirements for Extern Placement and students are subject to random drug screens while participating in the program
*Estimate if student does not have health insurance

There may be additional fees for clinical site onboarding, and this is site dependent.

Professional liability insurance is included in Tuition and Fees

Clinical Rotations

Through clinical placements, students can work in a variety of surgical environments. These placements are assigned to provide experiences that meet their clinical and academic needs and offer all students a similar experience.

Clinical hours are Monday through Friday, between the hours of 6 AM and 3 PM. All students will rotate for days for clinicals. Students should be prepared to travel to any clinical site affiliated with the COM program.

Current sites include:

• HCA – Houston
  • Texas Orthopedic Hospital - Houston, TX
  • Kingwood - Kingwood, TX
  • Mainland – Texas City, TX
  • Southeast - Pasadena, TX
  • Pearland - Pearland, TX
  • West - Houston, TX
• Memorial Hermann
  • Southeast - Houston, TX
• University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Galveston, TX
  • League City, TX
  • Clear Lake, TX
  • Angleton-Danbury, TX

Certification

The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accreditation division of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) and is in compliance with NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs.

The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) retains the sole authority to establish eligibility requirements and make all final decisions regarding eligibility.

Before testing, individuals must first establish eligibility by submitting the appropriate examination application form along with the correct fees. NBSTSA does not refund processing fees for ineligible candidates.

NBSTSA accepts all properly completed applications from qualified applicants regardless of the applicant’s age, sex, race, religion, marital status, disability or national origin. For a list of Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) approved surgical technology programs go to www.caahep.org or call 727-210-2350.

Eligibility Requirements For Graduates of a Surgical Technology Program

The program must have been CAAHEP* or ABHES* accredited during your enrollment.

Provide ONE of the following documents:

• A notarized letter (on institutional letterhead) from the Program Director which states your name, date of graduation, and type of degree awarded.
• A copy of your graduation certificate
• Transcript (Transcripts do not have to be official; however, NBSTSA reserves the right to request an official transcript).

Texas

Effective September 1, 2017, HB 1508 amends the Texas Occupations Code Section 53 that requires education providers to notify potential or enrolled students that a criminal history may make them ineligible for an occupational license upon program completion. NOTE: Criminal history checks are required for clinical experience purposes.

Should you wish to request a review of the impact of criminal history on your potential licensure prior to or during your quest for a degree, you can visit this link and request a “Criminal History Evaluation”

This information is being provided to all persons who apply or enroll in the program, with notice of the requirements as described above, regardless of whether or not the person has been convicted of a criminal offense. Additionally, HB 1508 authorizes licensing agencies to require reimbursements when a student fails to receive the required notice.

• Apply to COM via ApplyTexas and select "Surgical Technology".
• Meet with an advisor or enrollment coach to make sure you meet all program requirements.
• Choose Your Path:
  • Associate of Applied Science – Surgical Technology (3 semesters | 60 credit hours)

All programs are approved through the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The A.A.S. Surgical Technology program is pending accreditation by the following:

• The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) for a programmatic postsecondary surgical technology program.

  CAAHEP
  9355 - 113th St. N, #7709,
  Seminole, FL 33775
  Phone: 727-210-2350
  Fax: 727-210-2354
  E-Mail: mail@caahep.org
  Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST)

• The Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) is a private, non-profit accreditation services agency that provides national recognition for programs in surgical technology and surgical assisting in collaboration with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

  ARC/STSA
  19751 East Mainstreet, Suite #339
  Parker, CO 80138
  Phone: 303-694-9262
  E-Mail: info@arcstsa.org
  Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MST)

Credentialing Examination:

The number of students who pass, on the first attempt, the NBSTSA’s certification examination compared with the number of graduates who take the exam must average benchmark established by the ARC/STSA is 70%.

Job Placement:

The number of graduates employed in the field or related area of surgical technology compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the surgical technology field within twelve months of graduating. The average benchmark established by the ARC/STSA is 80%.

Program Completion:

The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length. The annual benchmark established by ARC/STSA is 60%.

Can I take my prerequisite courses at any college?

Yes, but the college with which credits are to be transferred must be accredited by one of the 9 regional accrediting associations. Learn more about Transfer Policies here.

May I submit my application if I have not completed the required prerequisite courses and/or if I am currently taking the courses?

At a minimum Anatomy & Physiology I and Medical Terminology prerequisite courses must be completed at the time of the application submission.

How often are students accepted into the program?

Surgical Technology students are accepted once a year in the spring for an August start.

How are students selected to be in the program?

All applications are reviewed to ensure the minimum requirements have been met. Those applications are then reviewed and ranked. Students are selected according to their ranking.

Will I earn a degree when I am finished with the program course work?

Upon successful completion of the Surgical Technology Program, the student will earn an Associate’s of Applied Science Degree.

Is there a time limit on how long ago my prerequisite courses were taken?

There is no time limit.

Is the program offered at night, part-time, or online?

The Surgical Technology program is a traditional educational program with classes, labs, and clinical education. Didactic classes are during the day and hybrid online if needed. Clinical rotations are during day shift. Students will spend approximately 4 half days in class and 2-3 days a week in the clinical setting.

Will I be able to work while I am enrolled in the program?

Many surgical technology students do work while in school. Working while in the program presents some challenges. The program schedule varies each term and includes extensive clinical education assigned at clinical affiliate hospitals. Students' class and clinical schedules are not modified to meet employment needs. The demands of the program require that a student's work schedule be flexible and the amount of time to study outside of the classroom and/or clinical environments be considered.

Is financial aid available?

Financial aid may be available for students in the program. Visit our financial aid office to learn more about the assistance available.

What are the job opportunities in surgical technology?

Surgical Technologist are currently experiencing several employment opportunities. Expanding hospital facilities and surgical centers, the demand for surgical technologists is in demand for qualified surgical technologists will continue.

Can I request specific clinical sites?

Students may be assigned to any of the clinical sites utilized by the program and may not request assignment to a particular site for any reason. Students are assigned to a variety of clinical sites throughout the length of the program to provide a well-rounded clinical education.

Am I paid for my clinical rotations?

No, students are not allowed to be compensated for any portion of their surgical clinical rotations.

Do I have to have all my immunization completed before I apply?

Yes, all immunizations and lab titer results must be submitted with the application except for influenza, which is obtained during the current flu season while in the program. *College of the Mainland does not require COVID Vaccinations to attend classes; however, many of our affiliated clinical sites mandate COVID Vaccinations.

If I am not accepted into the program this year, will I be placed on a waiting list?

No, each application cycle is a new selective process. You will need to submit a new application during the next cycle.

How many hours of outside study will I need per week?

A general guideline indicates that on average a student needs 10 hours per week of outside study for each hour in class.

What are the clinical days and shifts?

Clinical shifts are 5 days a week between the hours of 6 am and 3PM. Each shift is 8 hours long, and students may not work more than 10 hours per day. Students will rotate days and are required to be available for any day not in didactic classes.

I have had legal trouble, does that mean that I can’t enter the program?

Not necessarily. The nature of the offense will determine eligibility for the program and if the clinical sites will accept the student.

For all programs: Effective September 1, 2017, HB 1508 amends the Texas Occupations Code Section 53 that requires education providers to notify potential or enrolled students that a criminal history may make them ineligible for an occupational license upon program completion. NOTE: Criminal history checks are required for clinical experience purposes.

Should you wish to request a review of the impact of criminal history on your potential admissions into the program, you can visit this link and request a “Criminal History Evaluation”

How long is the program?

The A.A.S program is 3 semesters after acceptance into the program.

I have kids and cannot work an early morning shift before school. Can I only work the evening shift?

All students are required to work from 6 AM to 3PM while in the program. Students must work this shift assigned. The operating room does not have the staff to do evening shifts for students, more supervision that is required is better in the morning. 

Once I graduate, can I work in another state?

Graduates from the A.A.S program will be eligible to sit for the national board NBSTSA certification exam. Each state has its own standards for licensing, but not all states require certification.

What should I do while I’m waiting to get into the A.A.S. Program?

Take BIOL (Microbiology for Non-Science Majors), ENGL 1301 (Composition), PHIL 2306 (Introduction to Ethics), SPCH (Interpersonal Communication), and one of the required psychology courses (PSYC 2301 – General Psychology) or (PSYC 2314 – Lifespan Growth and Development). These are required courses for the program but may be taken before program acceptance. Speak to an academic advisor to learn more.

• https://www.ast.org/
• https://www.texasstateassembly.org/