Surgical Technology

Mission Statement

“To prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.”

The Surgical Technology Program prepares the graduate for employment as an integral part of a surgical team. Surgical Technologists work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses, and other surgical staff in delivering patient care and assuming appropriate responsibilities before, during, and after surgery. Surgical Technologists are employed in acute and ambulatory care facilities. Upon completion of 48 credit hours, the student is granted a Technical Certificate and/or may wish to pursue an Associate of Applied Science Degree by completing the total 63 credit hours. At completion of the program, eligible students sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam. Students who pass the certification will be designated as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

Application Procedures and Deadline

All applicants must complete a background screen prior to entry/registration at the applicants’ expense through Verified Credentials. Classes are admitted in August. Class size is limited, and not all applicants will be selected for participation.

Application deadline: 2nd Friday in April. 

All applicants will have an equal opportunity regardless of race, age, disability, sex, creed, religion, or nationality. Applicants with special needs due to disability must make this fact known prior to admission, so that necessary accommodation can be provided. Because of the nature of the profession, it may not always be possible to accommodate students with severe disabilities.

SEARK's Accreditation

Southeast Arkansas College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission & Higher Education Commission which can be found by emailing info@hlcommission.org

Program Accreditation

The Surgical Technology Program at Southeast Arkansas College is accredited by:

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355-113th Street N #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: (727) 210-2350 Fax: (727) 210-2354
Email: mail@caahep.org

On the recommendation of:

Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting(ARC/STSA)
19751 E. MainStreet #339
Parker, CO 80138
Phone: (303) 694-9262 Fax (303) 741-3655
Email: info@arcstsa.org

Acceptance Procedure

Applicants who are selected for admission MUST notify the Health Professions Division of their intent to register by picking up an acceptance packet within the allotted time. Due to the availability of 15 seats within the program a waitlist may be utilized for applicants over the 15-seat capacity. Therefore, failure to pick up an acceptance packet can possibly lead to being placed on the waitlist and the next applicant selected. Upon acceptance to the program, students MUST submit the following documentation to the program director in order to begin classes:

• Current American Heart Association (AHA) CPR Certification
• Functional Ability Acknowledgement Form
• Current negative P.P.D. Two-Step Skin Test or Chest X-ray
• Vaccination Record showing the following:
  • Hepatitis B Series (3) or signature on SEARK College Vaccination Waiver Claim Form
  • DTaP/Tdap vaccine (within 10 years)
  • MMR vaccine
  • Varicella vaccines (2) or titer
  • COVID-19 vaccine or vaccination card
  • Flu vaccine
• Complete Criminal Background Check through Verified Credentials 
• Drug screen within the first week of semester or random
• Receipt showing malpractice insurance fee paid through SEARK College cashier office

****Drug screens and background checks are at the student’s expense****

Admission Requirements

1. High School diploma or GED equivalence.
2. Completion of all SEARK College admission requirements.
3. Completion of the Health Professions Application form.
4. Current American Heart Association (AHA) CPR Certification.
5. Provide one (1) or all of the following test scores:
   • ACT composite score of 19
   • Compass Reading score of 83
   • Accuplacer scores in:
     • Reading 78
     • Writing 83
     • Math 77
   • OR Completion of 15 credits of general education courses applicable to the program with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher (excluding developmental courses).
6. Also possess a 2.5 or higher GPA in the pre-requisite courses (Anatomy & Physiology I & II and Medical Terminology) for acceptance.
7. College transcript documenting successful COMPLETION of Pre-Admission courses with a “C” or better.
8. Provide transcripts from all colleges and/or schools attended previously directly to the program director.

****Students are responsible for submitting the above documentation along with their application. Incomplete files will not be considered until everything is complete.****

Counseling

Counselors and faculty advisors are available to aid students in course selection and future planning.

Financial Aid

For students who qualify, financial aid consists of funds made available from federal, state, and local sources. Scholarships, grants, loans, and Veteran's benefits are all available to qualified students.

For More Information Contact:

Health Professions Division
Southeast Arkansas College
1900 Hazel St Pine Bluff, AR 71603
Phone: (870) 543 5967
Founder’s Hall Room 420 Office #420
E-mail: bsloan@seark.edu

Technical Standards (PDF)

Program Brochure(PDF)
General Application Packet
Expense Sheet (PDF)
Surgical  Technology 5-year pass rate (PDF)
Surgical  Technology 5-year retention rate (PDF)