Applicants for this program must complete a two-hour observation session within our program's skills laboratory. The remaining option for those applying by the March 2025 deadline is March 11, 2025. Get details and RSVP.
Surgical Technology Services - Associate Degree
Train to become a critical member of direct patient-care teams, assisting surgeons, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals in a wide variety of medical procedures. Eastern Florida State College’s Surgical Technology Services Associate in Science degree program prepares graduates for entry-level employment in a hospital operating room or any healthcare facility where surgery is performed.
Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians or scrub techs, work under a surgeon’s supervision, preparing and handling supplies and equipment to maintain maximum patient safety.
Eastern Florida surgical technology students learn to perform well under pressure while multitasking, a must for all scrub techs. Our experienced faculty also instill a strong sense of responsibility and high-level of skills during the training, which can lead to national certification.
Eastern Florida State College's Surgical Services program has received initial accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The program operates under the guidelines of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) and the Florida Department of Education. See more on accreditation below.
Surgical Technology Services - Associate Degree
Program Overview
- Degree Type
- Associate in Science (A.S.)
- Delivery Method
- On-Campus
- Location
- Melbourne
- Total Credit Hours
- 64
- Academic Community
- Health Sciences
- Contact Information
-
Health Science Advising
Email Advising
321-433-7575
Surgical Technology Services A.S. COURSE CURRICULUM
The program curriculum centers around a 10-month series of core Surgical Technology courses that include classroom and lab instruction and practice, plus clinical rotations and a surgical internship. Because of the intense nature of this hands-on training, program applicants must complete the general education and support courses outlined on the curriculum, prior to the start of those core courses. The Admissions Information section will explain that process and a health sciences advisor will help develop a plan to meet the selection requirements.
Surgical Technology Services A.S. Admissions Information
The program is limited access and has a specialized application and selection process. Core courses begin each August and the annual application deadline is March 15th. Follow the steps below to apply:
- Meet with a Health Sciences advisor to review program requirements and the selection process. Surgical Technology Services
admission is guided by Selection Criteria that include required prerequisite courses and a point scale to guide selection decisions.
Discussing this with a health science advisor before you apply is required as part
of the process.
- Apply for Admission: Interested students must review and complete the customized Surgical Tech Application Process. Completed application files are due by the annual deadline.
- Review complete program information. Check out all the details on this page and look over common questions and answers about the program.
Additional details on accreditation, outcomes & requirements
Review the key program information below as you apply to the program.
Eastern Florida State College offers an associate degree program in Surgical Services. Students in this program develop the technical ability and acquire the knowledge necessary for initial employment in a hospital operating room as a member of a surgical team and qualify for employment in any health care facility where surgery is performed. Students complete a one-year academic study including supervised clinical training in the Surgical Services lab on campus and in the modern surgical arenas of area health care facilities.
The program operates under the guidelines of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) and the Florida Department of Education.
Eastern Florida State College's Surgical Services program has received initial accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org).
Surgical Technology Program Completion Rate
Academic Years: 2018-19; 2019-20; and 2020-21
| Graduation Class | Percent Graduated | Number Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 75% | 9 graduates / 12 initial enrollment |
| 2020 | 93% | 13 graduates / 14 initial enrollment |
| 2021 | 50% | 7 graduates / 14 initial enrollment |
Surgical Technology Assessment Exam Results
Academic Years: 2020-21 through 2023-24 - Percentage of graduates who passed the National Certified Surgical Technology Exam
| Graduation Class | Number Who Passed of Number Eligible | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7/8 graduates | 86% |
| 2023 | 5/6 graduates | 83% |
| 2022 | 9/16 graduates | 56% |
| 2021 | 1/7 graduates | 14% |
Employment Outcomes
| Graduation Class | Percent Employed | Number Placed / Number Seeking Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 100% | 10 placed / 10 seeking jobs |
Please note that CAAHEP accreditation requires the following requirements for completion of the Surgical Technology Services program and to be able to take the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
- The number of cases the student must complete is a minimum of 120.
- Students are required to complete 30 cases in General Surgery. Twenty of the cases must be in the First Scrub (FS) Role. The remaining 10 cases may be performed in either the FS or Second Scrub (SS) role.
- Specialty Surgery:
- A student must complete a minimum of 90 cases in various surgical specialties, excluding General Surgery.
a) A minimum of 60 cases must be performed in the FS role and distributed amongst a minimum of four surgical specialties. 1) A minimum of ten cases in four different specialties must be completed in the FS role (40 cases total). 2) The additional 20 cases in the FS role may be distributed amongst any one surgical specialty or multiple surgical specialties.
b) The remaining 30 cases may be performed in any surgical specialty in either the FS or SS role.
- Surgical specialties (excluding General Surgery)
a) Cardiothoracic
b) Genitourinary
c) Neurologic
d) Obstetric and gynecologic
e) Orthopedic
f) Otorhinolaryngologic
g) Ophthalmologic
h) Oral Maxillofacial
i) Peripheral vascular
j) Plastics and reconstructive
k) Procurement and transplant - The surgical technology services program is required to verify through the surgical rotation documentation the students’ progression in First and Second Scrubbing surgical procedures of increased complexity as he/she moves toward entry-level graduate abilities.
- Diagnostic endoscopy cases and vaginal delivery cases are not mandatory, but up to 10 diagnostic endoscopic cases and five vaginal delivery cases can be counted toward the maximum number of Second Scrub Role cases.
- Observation cases must be documented, but do not count toward the 120 required cases.
- Counted Cases: cases will be counted according to surgical specialty. Examples:
-
- Trauma patient requires a Splenectomy and repair of a LeFort I fracture. Two cases can be counted and documented since the splenectomy is general surgery specialty and repair of LeFort I is oral-maxillofacial surgical specialty.
- Patient requires a breast biopsy followed by mastectomy. It is one pathology, breast cancer, and the specialty is general surgery; therefore, it is counted and documented as one procedure – one case.
Upon completion of the Surgical Technology Services program, and the initial accreditation approved, graduates are eligible to apply to the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to take the National Certifying Exam, provided all the eligibility requirements have been met.
Those who pass this exam demonstrate their theoretical and practical knowledge of surgical technology and are granted the designation Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).
The EFSC Surgical Services Program's mission is to "prepare competent entry level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psycho-motor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains."
Brief Costs & Financial Aid Eligibility
Estimated expenses, including tuition, textbooks, lab fees, and accident/liability insurance for EFSC’s Surgical Services Technology A.S. program total approximately $8,500 for Florida residents.
The program is eligible for Federal aid and students are encouraged to apply for financial aid, and also for scholarships that could include specific health science scholarships funded through the Eastern Florida Foundation.
College Courses You Would Take
The 64-credit hour curriculum includes multiple courses that provide the theoretical knowledge and hands-on training needed to excel in the profession. Here are just some of the courses you would take:
In this course students learn about different surgical procedures and how to prepare for them, for example, laparoscopic cholecystectomy or removal of the gallbladder.
In this course students learn the fundamentals of surgery and aseptic technique. They’ll also learn names of different surgical instruments and how they are used in surgery.
In this course students learn sources of drugs, the six rights of medication administration, and the importance of drug regulation and anesthetic agents.
The clinical internship provides surgical experiences and cases required for successful program completion. Students function as surgical technologists in the surgical suites.
Why train in Surgical Technology at EFSC?
Students learn to be medical team players with surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals. Our surgical techs develop strong communication and critical thinking skills, and detailed knowledge of surgical instruments and operating room procedures. That training starts in our state-of-the-art surgical suite lab in EFSC's Health Sciences Institute, and continues during clinical experience and an internship at a local healthcare facility.
Educational Opportunities Start with the A.S.
The degree program includes the embedded Central Sterile Processing Technologist College Credit Certificate, which can only be earned by A.S. degree students. The courses in the first part of the A.S. degree train students as a sterile processing technician, which involves keeping the medical facility as sterile as possible by sterilizing equipment, instruments, and other needed devices. This extra CCC credential can help build your résumé and prepare you to enter the workforce even before you've finished the degree.
The degree can also prepare students for Eastern Florida's Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, which are designed for seamless transfer with an A.S. degree. BAS specializations include business and healthcare options.
Additional Healthcare Programs
As you consider the Surgical Technology Services A.S. program, explore these other options in the health sciences and nursing field. A health sciences advisor can assist you with planning.