Surgical Technology

Associate Degree

**Due to high demand, enrollment is limited. Please consult your academic advisor for next available seating in this program and other possible opportunities.**

***Effective Fall 2026, MAT 155 Contemporary Mathematics will be the required Math course for the Surgical Technology Program. Please contact your Surgical Technology Academic Advisor for questions or concerns.***

Technical Standards & Skills:

Students enrolled in the Surgical Technology program must meet essential technical standards to successfully complete all phases of the program and meet industry expectations. To ensure readiness, students may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform these essential functions:

Standards:

  • Use of judgment and problem-solving
  • Ability to prioritize responses and interventions in emergency situations
  • Application of ethical standards

Example: 

  • Performing closing counts while prioritizing sterile team members’ request

Standards:

  • Ability to perform functions such as standing for prolonged periods of time (4 to 6 hours) while navigating surgical field environment.
  • Ability to stand in one confined area for extensive periods (excess of 4 to 6 hours)
  • Ability to lift instrument trays up to 25 pounds. Ability to push and manipulate large, heavy equipment (over 100 pounds)

Examples:

  • Lengthy proceduresthat often require abstinence from nourishment and restroom breaks while standing in one confined area
  • Lifting heavy instrument caskets
  • Moving equipment Transferring patientsfrom stretcher to Operating Room (OR) bed and back

Standards:

  • Fine and gross motor skills and the ability to perform multiple motor tasks simultaneously.
  • Manual dexterity to retrieve requests supplies or instruments and pass them quickly and smoothly to the team members

Examples:

  • Passing instruments to multiple sterile personnel while holding retractor(s) 
  • Passing instrumentation and supplies to sterile team members

Standard:

  • Ability to hear and understand muffled communication without visualization of the communicator’s mouth/lips

Standards:

  • Visual ability to have peripheral and depth perception and ability to distinguish shades of color
  • Visual ability to see 20/20 or better with or without use of corrective lenses/glasses
  • Visual ability to recognize hand signals

Examples:

  • Visualizing hair-thin suture and micro-needles to maintain correct counts during procedure
  • Visualizing hand signals during surgery

Standards:

  • Comprehensive understanding of spoken and written English language to include complex medical terminology, the ability to read medication/prescription labels, directions for dosage and use in an accurate and expedient manner
  • Ability to verbally and in writing report client data to the healthcare team, requiresreading and writing on charts

Example:

  • Reading and creating medication labels Communication with fellow team members

Standards:

  • Ability to work with others in a variety of settings and situations
  • Maintaining hygiene and dress or uniform requirements
  • Ability to listen to others and determine their wants and needs and respond quickly

Standards:

  • Ability to adapt to changing environments and workrelated challenges while maintaining composure in stressful situations
  • Ability to maintain utmost integrity and aseptic technique

Example:

  • Surgical conscience

Important Links

Health Sciences Online Application

Trident Technical College Admission Application