Surgical Technology - Associate of Applied Science
This program is designed to prepare the student for employment as a surgical technologist, who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients.
Surgical technologists work under the supervision of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive 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 technique and combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation of instrumentation and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 25400 U. S. Highway 19 North; Suite 158; Clearwater, FL 33763 (www.caahep.org) upon recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC-STSA), 6 West Dry Creek Circle Suite 110 Littleton, CO 80120 (www.arcstsa.org).
Admission Requirements
Students admitted to The University of Montana enter as Associate of Arts (AA) General Studies majors with an emphasis in the program of their choice.
Students must select the specific prerequisite courses required for their chosen area of study after meeting with the program advisor. Students must apply to the program by October 1. Students may apply while enrolled in the A.A. prerequisite courses with acceptance to the program to be determined after the Autumn semester grades are finalized.
The course, BIOH 201N/202N (SCN 201N), Anatomy and Physiology I, and lab, must be passed with a grade of B (3.0). All other prerequisite courses must be passed with a grade of C (2.0). The program-specific courses begin spring semester.
Find Surgical Technology Program specific admission applications here.
Program Requirements
Once accepted to the program, a student must complete each Surgical Technology-specific course (those courses with an AHST with a minimum grade of ‘C' (80%) in order to continue in the ST program. All other required courses must also be passed with a grade of "C". Course grading scales may vary. If a student does not pass the required courses, he/she will not be able to continue in the program and will need to apply for readmission. If a student is re-admitted, he/she will be required to complete skills labs, AHST 115 (SUR 102T) and AHST 215 (SUR 202T), to ensure sterile technique skills are acceptable for patient care. A student may take any required course a maximum of two (2) times. A student may apply to the program a maximum of two (2) times.
A student will become a member of the Association of Surgical Technologists during the first year in the program. A student anticipating program completion will write the National Certification Exam prior to graduation. A student who successfully completes the ST program is awarded an A.A.S. degree in Surgical Technology. The credential of Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) will be awarded to a student upon passing the National Certification Exam and graduation from the ST program. The credential of Certified is awarded by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
Students are required to rotate sites during the clinical portion of their education. During the last semester of the program, internships may be outside the Missoula area. Transportation and housing are the student's responsibility. Prior to entering a healthcare facility for clinical experiences, a student will be required to submit a background check. Many healthcare facilities have increasingly stringent requirements. A student could be refused entry into a clinical facility based on information disclosed in a background check. If this is a concern for you, please consult the Program Director. If a student is denied agency access based on the Background Check, there will be no placement at an alternate site, and the subsequent inability of the student to complete the clinical education will result in inability to continue in the Surgical Technology program.
Program Outreach
Program Outcomes
Surgical Technology Program Outcomes Trends 2015-2017*
OUTCOME |
Year |
Percentage |
OUTCOME |
Year |
Percentage |
Student Graduation |
2017 |
71 |
Employer Survey Return Rate |
2017 |
56 |
2016 |
64 |
2016 |
50 |
||
2015 |
70 |
2015 |
57 |
||
OUTCOME |
Year |
Percentage |
OUTCOME |
Year |
Percentage |
CST™ Exam** Participation Rate |
2017 |
100 |
Employer Satisfaction Rate |
2017 |
100 |
2016 |
100 |
2016 |
100 |
||
2015 |
100 |
2015 |
100 |
||
OUTCOME |
Year |
Percentage |
OUTCOME |
Year |
Percentage |
CST™ Exam** Pass Rate |
2017 |
100 |
Graduate Survey Return Rate |
2017 |
56 |
2016 |
83 |
2016 |
53 |
||
2015 |
95 |
2015 |
53 |
||
OUTCOME |
Year |
Percentage |
OUTCOME |
Year |
Percentage |
Graduate Placement |
2017 |
89 |
Graduate Satisfaction Rate |
2017 |
100 |
2016 |
95 |
2016 |
100 |
||
2015 |
94 |
2015 |
100 |
Student Graduation Rate |
70% for all graduates |
CST™ Exam Participation |
100% for all graduates |
CST™ Pass Rate |
70% for all graduates |
Graduate Job Placement |
80% for all graduates |
Employer Survey Return Rate |
50% for all surveys sent to employers |
Employer Satisfaction Rate |
85% for all employers who return the survey |
Graduate Survey Return Rate |
50% for all surveys sent to graduates |
Graduate Satisfaction |
85% for all graduates who return the survey |
U.S. Department of Education Notice
The U.S. Department of Education now requires that all programs leading to State Licensure or National Certification must disclose whether or not their program meets the requirements of Licensure in each state.
The Surgical Technology Program at Missoula College -- UM has not yet made a determination regarding whether our curriculum meets requirements for licensure by examination in states outside of Montana.
Degree-specific Requirements
The University of Montana catalog details degree specific credits and course requirements.
Subject | Type |
Surgical Technology | Associate of Applied Science |
- Contact Information
-
Cyndi Stary - Administrative Associate, Department of Health Professions
Email: Cyndi.Stary@umontana.edu
Phone: 406-243-7846
Office: MC 441
-
Jill Davis - Program Director
Email: Jill1.Davis@umontana.edu
Phone: 406-243-7860
Office: MC 318