Overview

The Surgical Technology program will provide you with the knowledge, tools, and skills you will need to become an entry-level Surgical Technologist. This career is fast-paced and rapidly changing. You will learn the latest procedures, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, sterile technique, instruments and supplies you will need to assist during surgery. Students must be professional, organized, emotionally stable and enjoy being a part of a team while helping others.

Why Great Bay?

The Surgical Technology program at Great Bay Community College is the only Associate of Science degree program of its kind in the area.  We only accept 20 students, making this a very competitive program to get into. Our program works with several local and regional hospitals for clinical experiences.

Career Options

With a two-year degree, you can work in a variety of healthcare settings such as hospitals, surgical centers, and private practices.

Surgical technologists are highly skilled members of the surgical team qualified by classroom education and supervised clinical experience. They work closely with the surgeon, anesthesiologist, registered nurse, and other surgical personnel to deliver the highest level of care for the surgical patient before, during, and after surgery.  Surgical technologists work under the supervision of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of surgical procedures, ensuring that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety.  Surgical technologists possess expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic techniques and combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation of instruments and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Surgical technologists comprehend the procedure being performed and anticipate the needs of the surgeon.  They have the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care before and during the operative procedure and are constantly on vigil for maintenance of the sterile field.  The surgical technologist handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure.  Duties include setting up a sterile field, gowning and gloving other sterile team members, maintaining the highest standard of sterile technique during procedures, and assisting the surgeon during surgery.  With advanced training, surgical technologists may become first assistants who assist in complex surgical procedures such as openheart surgery.  With additional education, they may become operating room nurses, physician assistants, or instructors.  Some surgical technologists assume management positions in hospital education, and central supply departments or business firms such as sterile-supply services and operating-room equipment distributions.

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