Surgical Technology

The program in Surgical Technology 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 the basic one year program, the student is granted a Technical Certificate, or a student may wish to pursue an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree. During spring semester, the students will be administered a practice exam for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam. Near completion of the program, students who have been granted the Associates of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree, will sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam. Upon graduation from the program and successful completion of the exam, students will be designated as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

Application Procedures and Deadline

All applicants must submit to an on-campus drug screen during the first week of class at the applicant's expense. Classes are admitted in August. Class size is limited, and all applicants are not selected for participation. Application deadline: 2nd Friday in April. Qualified applicants who have all pre-requisite coursework complete or in progress will be interviewed, and award letters mailed.

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 accommodations can be made.  Because of the nature of the profession it may not always be possible to accommodate students with severe disabilities.

Acceptance Procedure

Applicants that are selected for admission must notify the Health Professions Division or the Director of Surgical Technology of intent to register by picking up an acceptance packet within the allotted time. Upon acceptance into the program students must submit  evidence of the following in order to begin classes: It is the students’ responsibility to submit all documents required for clinical through the College’s Clinical Requirements database as well as the Director of Surgical Technology. The cost of the subscription, Drug Screen, and Criminal background check is the student’s expense.

  1. Current American Heart Association (AHA) CPR Certification
  2. Functional Ability Acknowledgement Form
  3. P.P.D. Skin Test or Chest X-Ray
  4. Hepatitis B Series or Signature on SEARK College Vaccination Waiver Claim Form.
  5. Drug Screen (On Campus)
  6. Criminal Background Check (Verified Credentials)

Students enrolled in Health Professions programs with a clinical component will be assessed a fee for malpractice insurance.

Random drug screening may be utilized at any time during the course of the program at the students’ expense.

Counseling

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

Admission Requirements

High School (or GED Equivalency) Diploma plus general and special requirements listed below:

  1. Completion of all general admissions procedures of the College.
  2. Completion of the Health Professions General Application for Admission form.
  3. ACT composite score of 19, Compass Reading score 83, Accuplacer Reading score of 75,  Math 77, or completion of 15 credits (excluding developmental courses) of general education courses applicable to the program with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  4. College transcript documenting successful completion of Pre-Admission courses.
  5. Completion or test score validated exemption of all required developmental studies courses in English, mathematics, and reading are required for the AAS degree.

Accreditation

Southeast Arkansas Surgical Tech is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Professions Programs (CAAHEP); 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North Suite 158; Clearwater, FL 33763, Phone: (727) 210-2350  Fax: (727) 210-2354- on the 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, Phone: (303)694-9262. Fax: (303)741-3655.
Southeast Arkansas College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is approved by the Arkansas Department of Health Divisions.

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

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