Surgical Technology, Certificate

In order to apply to the Surgical Technology program, students must possess minimum college ready placement scores in reading, writing and mathematics or present transcript showing previous college level coursework.

All transcripts and coursework must be evaluated and accepted by Santa Fe College at least four (4) weeks prior to the application date in order to qualify for application. Application must be submitted by 4 p.m. on the deadline date. 

See Application Dates and Deadlines and closely review other requirements Before You Apply.

All tuition and fees are estimated costs and subject to change without notice.

Program Costs Breakdown

Tuition for1332 Contact Hours

• $3,383.28 Florida Residents
• $12,907.08 Non-Florida Residents

Lab Fees: $411.49

Additional Expenses

• $200.00 Uniforms/Shoes
• $590.00 Required Textbooks
• $880.00 Health Physical and Immunizations up to
• $25.00 Flu Vaccination
• $55.00 American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR
• $216.50 Level 2 and Expanded Background Screenings; drug test
• $550.00 Laptop Computer w/Webcam
• $300.00 Miscellaneous Clinical Expenses: Tracking Software, Database, Parking

Program Cost Totals

• $6,611.27 Florida Residents
• $16,135.07 Non-Florida Residents

Scholarships

There are many scholarships available for Santa Fe College students to apply to. Please visit the Scholarships webpage for more information and how to apply.

Financial Aid

There are many options to finance your education.  You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships. Please visit the Financial Aid page for more information and how to apply.

Selection criteria and points system is subject to change. It is the applicant's responsibility to check with the Health Sciences Advisement Office for up-to-date requirements and information.

Grades Earned in Coursework (Maximum Points = 24)

A = (8 PTS), B+ = (7 PTS), B = (5 PTS), C+ = (4 PTS), C = (3PTS)

• BSC2084/L Anatomy and Physiology with lab or the combination BSC2085/L and BSC2086/L
• HSC1000 Introduction to Healthcare
• HSC2531 Medical Terminology

Work Experience (Maximum Points = 20)

• 2 + Years Health Related Work Experience (20 PTS)
• 2 + Years Non-Health Related Work Experience (10 PTS)

All work experience must be concisely documented on agency stationary or SF Health Science Programs Work Experience Form and signed by employer. Work experience must note number of hours completed and dates of service/employment. Part-time hours will be converted to full-time hours based upon a 40-hour work week. Part-time hours will be converted to full-time hours based upon a 40-hour work week. Unsigned or incomplete forms will not be assessed for points. The Advising Office is unable to contact employers or verify any type of experience. Please review the accuracy of documentation prior to uploading the online application system.

Military Service (5 PTS)

Five points will be awarded to US Armed Forces active duty and honorably discharged veterans. Includes recent Reservist and National Guard combat deployments.  DD-214 or proof of current service required. Minimum of one year active duty service required. Part-time Reservist or National Guard service must equal 365 active duty days (i.e, weekend service, annual 2-week assignment and deployment). Service dates may be combined. Veterans who receive a general discharge must be classified without misconduct.

Goal 1:  Students will be competent in the cognitive domain.

Student learning outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate a mastery of aseptic technique and surgical technology skills as established in the AST core curriculum.
• Students will be prepared for successful completion for the National Certification exam administered by NBSTSA.

Goal 2:  Students will be competent in the psychomotor domain.

Student learning outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of various surgical specialties by identifying appropriate surgical instrumentation and supplies needed for cases in laboratory.

• Students will participate in surgical cases necessary to successfully complete our program requirements in accordance to AST standards.

Goal 3:  Students will be competent in the affective domain.

Student learning outcomes:

• Student will demonstrate professional conduct by adhering to clinical duties and responsibilities.
• Students will demonstrate acceptance of constructive guidance.

The Surgical Technology program spans four semesters with courses meeting in a variety of formats to include: on-campus, online, and virtually. In addition, students will conduct clinical internships at local and regional hospitals.

The program is academically rigorous and requires students to be available Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The program is a total of 1332 contact hours (44.4 credit hours).

The Program courses must be taken as a cohort in the order indicated below. Talk with a Health Sciences Academic Advisor if you have previously taken the TERM 1 courses.

Term 1 Summer (186 contact hours / 6.2 credit hours)

• BSC0070* Human Anatomy - Structure and Function (75 clock hours / 2.5 credit hours)
• HSC0003* Introduction to Healthcare (48 clock hours / 1.6 credit hours)
• HSC0530* Medical Terminology (63 clock hours / 2.1 credit hours)

Term 2 Fall (423 contact hours / 14.1 credit hours)

• STS0003 Surgical Technology I (54 clock hours / 1.8 credit hours)
• STS0120 Surgical Specialties I (108 clock hours / 3.6 credit hours)
• STS0155C Surgical Techniques and Procedures (213 clock hours / 7.1 credit hours)
• STS0255L Introduction to Clinical Practicum (48 clock hours / 1.6 credit hours)

Term 3 Spring (435 contact hours / 14.5 credit hours)

• STS0004 Surgical Technology II (42 clock hours / 1.4 credit hours)
• STS0121 Surgical Specialties II (42 clock hours / 1.4 credit hours)
• STS0256L Clinical Practicum I (315 clock hours / 10.5 credit hours)
• STS0803 Pharmacology Anesthesia ER (36 clock hours / 1.2 credit hours)

Term 4 Summer (288 contact hours / 9.6 credit hours)

• STS0005 Pathophysiology and Assessment (18 clock hours (.6 credit hours)
• STS0257L Clinical Practicum II (240 clock hours / 8 credit hours)
• STS0930 Surgical Topics Review (30 clock hours / 1 credit hour)

* The Program reserves the right to substitute HSC 2531, BSC 2084 and HSC 1000 for HSC 0530, BSC 0700 and HSC 0003. The cost of the substitution college credit courses may be greater than the cost of the contact hour courses.

The Surgical Technology program is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective and psychomotor performance requirements. Based on these requirements, the following list of Program Performance Standards has been developed. Each standard has an example of activities which a student will be required to perform, with or without an accommodation, while enrolled in the Surgical Technology program. The Program Performance Standards should be used as a guide to assist applicants in determining whether or not accommodations or modifications are necessary in order to meet program participation requirements. Applicants who identify potential difficulties with meeting the Program Performance Standards should communicate their concerns to the Academic Chair for Allied Health Programs. If the concern is related to a documented disability, applicants are responsible for contacting the Disabilities Resource Center. Determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodation will be made on an individual basis in consultation with the Disabilities Resource Center. Additionally, applicants should assess their aptitude and ability to perform professional duties by reviewing the Program Performance Standards below and discussing them with their healthcare provider.

Critical Thinking

Standard: Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment.
Example: Handle multiple priorities in stressful situations. Exercise independent judgment and discretion in the safe technical performance of medical procedures. Concentrate for prolonged periods of time.

Interpersonal

Standard: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.
Example: Display patience, empathy and concern for others. Deal with fear, anger and hostility in a calm manner. Work with others in stressful situations.

Communication

Standard: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.
Example: Communicate needs in a prompt, clear and concise manner. Able to communicate the identity of items such as drugs, tools, or implants. Accurately record/document pertinent information. Interact with patients and health care providers in a professional manner.

Mobility

Standard: Physical abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform skills required of a Surgical Technologist.
Example: Walk to and from departments. Maneuver nimbly in small spaces. Respond swiftly to patient's needs, manipulate equipment, lift a minimum of 30lbs, exert a sustained force of 20lbs, push/pull mobile equipment weighing up to 300lbs; participate as a team member of four in moving an incapacitated patient; ensure patient safety; stand for prolonged periods of time (sometimes wearing a 12-20lb lead apron underneath gown). Walk an equivalent of 5 miles per day. Must be able to reach 18" above head and pass instruments, reaching at least 30" across operating table. Gowns provided by clinical affiliates are limited to size 3X. This could limit the student's ability to complete mandatory proficiency requirements.

Tactile and Motor Skills

Standard: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform surgical technology skills. Must have good manual dexterity. Must possess tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and handling of tissues.
Example: Ability to grasp, hold, grip, seize, turn or otherwise work with hands. Accurately and safely pass sharps and instruments. Examples include working with fingers to thread or load delicate suture needles; assemble air powered drills and mix bone cement. Perceive attributes of an object via touch. Palpate. Handle tissue/organs with gentle accuracy as instructed. Must have good eye-hand-foot coordination.

Hearing

Standard: Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
Example: Detect and evaluate the sounds of advanced surgical equipment such as gas, video and cardiac monitors, power driven tools, fire alarms, etc. Able to follow verbal instructions.

Visual

Standard: Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in surgical technology.
Example: Observe and monitor patients; assist in surgery in full and dimmed light. Possess vision near acuity of 20 inches or less with clarity. Distinguish depth, color and spatial attributes of objects or images.

Professional Appearance

As a representative of Santa Fe College and the Surgical Technology Program, students must abide by specific professional appearance guidelines required by our clinical affiliates. Hair must be maintained within the range of natural color and must be conservative in length and style. Clothing and footwear must comply with standards prescribed by the program. Facial hair should be kept neat and trimmed short.

Program Effectiveness captures the quality of a program using qualitative data such as program completion, national exam pass rates and job placement.

Class of 2022

40 Students admitted
37 Students graduated; 92.5% completion rate
37 Graduates took credentialing exam
35 Graduates passed credentialing exam 1st attempt; 94.5% pass rate
N/A Graduates passed credentialing exam 2nd attempt; N/A% pass rate
37 Graduates employed in the field; 100% employment rate

Class of 2021

16 Students admitted
13 Students graduated; 81% completion rate
13 Graduates took credentialing exam
12 Graduates passed credentialing exam 1st attempt; 92% pass rate
N/A Graduates passed credentialing exam 2nd attempt; N/A% pass rate
12 Graduates employed in the field; 92% employment rate

Class of 2020

17 Students admitted
14 Students graduated; 82.4% completion rate
14 Graduates took credentialing exam
13 Graduates passed credentialing exam 1st attempt; 92.8% pass rate
1 Graduate passed credentialing exam 2nd attempt; 100% pass rate
14 Graduates employed in the field; 100% employment rate

Class of 2019

17 Students admitted
11 Students graduated; 64.71% completion rate
11 Graduates took credentialing exam
9 Graduates passed credentialing exam; 81.82% pass rate
11 Graduates employed in the field; 100% employment rate

Class of 2018

17 Students admitted
16 Students graduated; 94.12% completion rate
16 Graduates took credentialing exam
13 Graduates passed credentialing exam; 81.25% pass rate
13 Graduates employed in the field; 81.25% employment rate

Disclosure

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is not the bill that you will receive from Santa Fe College. It is an estimate of what it costs the typical student to attend Santa Fe College for one academic year including tuition, books, course materials, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

Tuition and fees in the cost of attendance below are calculated for credit hour programs, assuming enrollment in 12 credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters. Actual tuition and fees may vary by program. For a better understanding of your chosen program’s tuition and fees, see program costs above.

Undergraduate Lower Division Courses (A.A./A.S. Degree Courses)

Undergraduate Upper Division Courses (Bachelor Degree Courses)