Surgical Technology Program

Our Surgical Technology Program prepares students to enter the surgical technology field by teaching knowledge and skills in accordance with the Association of Surgical Technologists Core Curriculum 7th Edition. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

Overview

• Clinical sites at DNV-accredited hospitals including Concord Hospital and Concord Hospital - Laconia, as well as the Orthopaedic Surgery Center accredited by the State of New Hampshire.
• Approved for eligible veterans to receive reimbursement under the Montgomery GI bill, while attending the program;
• Not eligible for Title IV funding;
• Accepts a maximum of 10 students per year;
• COVID-19 and Influenza vaccination is required. Medical and religious exemptions may be submitted but there is no guarantee of approval;
• Classes begin each year at the end of August or the beginning of September;
• Graduates receive a certificate of completion and sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting exam;
• 100 percent pass on the NBSTSA exam for the 2022-2023 class;
• 77 percent graduation rate for the 2022-2023 class;
• 88 percent job placement rate for the class of 2022-2023 ;
• Pre-clinical training emphasizes didactic instruction as preparation for participation in clinical training. Classroom instruction includes:
  • Anatomy and physiology;
  • Medical terminology;
  • Microbiology;
  • Pharmacology;
  • Patient care in surgery;
  • Sterile technique;
  • Surgical techniques;
  • Instrumentation and surgical procedures.
• Clinical training emphasizes clinical experience in surgical procedures. Students function as members of the operating room team under the supervision of instructors, staff surgical technologists, or registered nurses. Students participate in many types of surgery, including:
  • Otorhinolaryngology;
  • Plastic and reconstructive surgery;
  • Orthopaedic procedures;
  • General and vascular surgery;
  • Ophthalmology;
  • Obstetrics and gynecology;
  • Urological procedures;
  • Neurosurgery;
  • Thoracic and cardiac surgery.

Program Goal

The goal of the program is to prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession. This will be accomplished through the preparation of competent graduates in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains and by meeting or exceeding the criteria set forth in the current CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Surgical Technology.

Eligibility

English is the language of communication. Sufficient verbal and written skills are required in order to enter this program.

Required Technical Skills

• Visual acuity sufficient to read instrumentation calibrated in millimeters, identify delicate sutures and needles, manipulate equipment, interpret data, and make fine visual inspection of equipment
• Sufficient hearing to assess patient needs and to receive oral communication during surgical procedures
• Sufficient written and oral skills to communicate needs promptly and effectively, express and exchange ideas, and interact with patients, surgeons, peers, and other medical personnel
• Ability to wear required surgical gear, such as lead aprons, thyroid shields, hats, gloves, masks, protective eyewear, and surgical hoods
• Ability to work with complex equipment, such as video systems, microscopes, robotics, etc
• Ability to perform fine motor functions associated with the operation of surgical instrumentation and equipment. This includes maintaining a steady hand and holding a position for lengthy procedures
• Ability to maneuver and function within a sterile environment
• Ability to move, manipulate, and operate surgical power equipment, transport, lift, and position patients for specialty surgical procedures, stand at the sterile field for long periods of time (this includes the ability to go without breaks for lengthy procedures), and lift and transport heavy (50 pounds) equipment and instrument sets
• Ability to work with strong, potentially noxious smells
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and respond appropriately to unexpected situations
• Ability to work with wide variations in workload and stress levels;
• Mental health status sufficient to cope with personal stress in a manner that does not adversely impact performance

Application Process

Applicants shall be assessed on their demonstrated scholastic achievement, work experience, and basic skills assessment test and potential for success in the program. This assessment shall be based on the following:

• Applicants must have an associate degree or a higher-level degree to be eligible for the program;
• Each applicant must arrange for official transcripts to be sent from the last high school attended and all colleges attended (college credits non-transferable). If an applicant received a high school equivalency diploma, an official copy of the diploma must be sent;
• Three references from individuals not related to the applicant, including a current teacher and/or employer;
• Pre-entrance interview with the program director, instructors, and admissions committee;
• A minimum score of 18 on the basic language and mathematics skills (Wonderlic) exam administered during the pre-entrance interview;
• A completed application does not guarantee acceptance into the program;
• Successful completion of student “pre-screening” physical exam requirements;
• Criminal background check with satisfactory results (provided by the institution);
• Documentation of current liability insurance coverage (minimum $1,000,000 each incident/ $3,000,000 aggregate);
• Documentation of current coverage by a health insurance plan.

The next class begins in September of 2025. Applications for the September 2025 class will be accepted starting April 1, 2025, to June 15, 2025.