Surgical Technology (AAS)
The hybrid surgical technology program at the 51黑料 combines asynchronous online learning with on-the-ground labs and clinical rotations.
This program is part of the Leffler Academy of the 51黑料. Learn more about streamlined pricing for this program聽here.
- Available as
- Major
- Degrees/Options
- Associate of Applied Science
- Length
- 17 months
- Locations
- Crown Point, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Hybrid
Why Become a Certified Surgical Technologist?
The OR can鈥檛 operate without you: Surgical technologists prep patients, surgeons, rooms, and equipment for procedures, assist during a range of operations, and help ensure facilities, instrumentation, and equipment are safe and sterile for all.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that advanced technology, safer procedures, and shorter recovery times have increased interest in surgeries that improve the quality of life, such as knee replacements or cataract removal. This growing demand means job prospects are good for surgical techs.
Many healthcare employers prefer or require national certification. To become a certified surgical technologist, you鈥檒l need to complete an accredited degree program, and you鈥檒l find one at the 51黑料.
100%
Career success rate for our Class of 2024 surgical technology graduates
$62,480
Median national annual salary for surgical technologists in 2024
BLS.gov
5%
Expected growth in demand for surgical technologists through 2034 (faster than average)
BLS.gov
Why 51黑料 for Surgical Technology?
Inspired by the Franciscan tradition and renowned for its values-based healthcare education, 51黑料 prepares you to serve others with respect, care, and compassion. Our expert faculty members bring real-world medical experience to the classroom; they鈥檒l give you a solid foundation in science and equip you with the technical and decision-making skills you鈥檒l need to succeed in the OR.
In about two years’ time, you can begin your surgical technology career and serve as a critical member of a healthcare team.
Hands-On Learning from Day One
You don鈥檛 have to wait until your final months in the program to put learning into practice; at 51黑料, you鈥檒l go into the field during all four semesters and leave with more than 120 procedures completed in a variety of specialties with 750 hours of clinical experience.
Prepare for your surgical technologist career at sites such as:
- Dupont Hospital
- Franciscan Health Crown Point
- Franciscan Health Dyer
- Franciscan Health Indianapolis
- Franciscan Health Indianapolis Surgery Center
- Franciscan Health Lafayette
- Franciscan Health Munster
- Franciscan Health Rensselaer
- IU Health Arnett
- IU Health Fort Wayne Surgery Center
- Lakeshore Surgery Center
- Lutheran Hospital
- Methodist Hospital Southlake
- Northwest Health LaPorte
- Northwest Health Porter
- Northwest Health Starke
- The Orthopedic Hospital
- Parkview Ortho Hospital
- Parkview Regional Medical Center
- Southwest Surgical Suites
- The Surgery Center and ENT Associates
Dual-Enrollment Associate & Bachelor鈥檚 Degree Option:
As a surgical tech student, you can expand your career opportunities by earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Health Services in only one additional year. Choose a concentration in medical sales, health services management, or community health.
鈥淭he faculty are so personable. There鈥檚 a lot of one-on-one teaching and they take the time to make sure we really understand the information. They鈥檙e invested in us. At 51黑料, I feel like I鈥檓 someone who matters.鈥澛
Sarah Corsaletti 鈥25, Alumna Surgical Technology
鈥淭he faculty are amazing. They all have real backgrounds in the field and the director is a site visitor for the accreditation review committee for Surgical Technology programs. When they teach, they share information and stories from their own careers and that makes it easier to learn.鈥澛
Mario Flores 鈥22 Surgical Technologist, Lutheran Health
鈥淚 recommend this program because, from day one, it鈥檚 hands on. The support is incredible and the professors truly care about you as a person. It鈥檚 genuine.鈥澛
Emma Eversole 鈥25, Alumna Surgical Technology
“The Orthopedic Hospital regularly hires 51黑料 graduates because they鈥檙e knowledgeable, hardworking and well-rounded. We meet them when they come in to do their orthopedic clinicals and will often hire them as surgical technologists.”
Phyllis Kenline RN-OR manager, The Orthopedic Hospital
“I feel the surgical technology program is superior to other programs because of the state-of-the-art, hands-on lab.聽 It gives me exposure to instruments, supplies and equipment that we utilize in the clinical setting.”
Caitlyn Carnahan 鈥17 Surgical Technologist, Parkview Regional Medical Center
鈥淭he program鈥檚 structure is really smart, too. We get a strong foundation in the first 8 weeks and then get into the field. 51黑料 students get 2 full years of clinicals, where we rotate to different facilities and learn about specialties in the field. That鈥檚 how I found my passion for working in orthopedics.鈥澛
Daleigh Davis 鈥21 Surgical Technologist, Surgery Center Fort Wayne
What You Can Do With a Degree in Surgical Technology
A certified surgical technologist can find work in a variety of healthcare organizations, from outpatient centers to hospitals. Our graduates start their surgical technologist career at healthcare organizations like:
- Adams Health Network
- Detroit Medical Center
- Ear, Nose & Throat Associates
- ENT Surgery Center
- Fort Wayne Ortho
- Lutheran Health Network
- OhioHealth
- OrthoIndy
- Parkview Health
- ProMedica
- St. Vincent Hospital
- Terre Haute Regional Hospital
- UnityPoint Health
Your associate degree will give you a broad education, and as you gain experience and additional training, you may develop specialties in certain practice areas, such as cardiology, orthopedics, or ear, nose, and throat.
Accreditation
The 51黑料鈥 associate of science in surgical technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs () upon the recommendation of Accreditation Review Counsel on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting ().
(CAAHEP)
9355 113th St. N #7709
Seminole, Florida 33775
Phone: 727-210-2350
Email: mail@caahep.org
Learn more about what makes life at 51黑料 so special.
Outcomes Assessment Exam
Certification is required to enter practice in the State of Indiana. Below are the pass rates for 51黑料 graduates on the National Examination for the Certified Surgical Technologist offered by the
- Class of 2025 鈥 78% pass rate
- Class of 2024 鈥&苍产蝉辫;90% pass rate
- Class of 2023 鈥 88% pass rate
- Class of 2022 鈥 100% pass rate
- Class of 2021 鈥 100% pass rate
- Class of 2020 鈥 88% pass rate
Graduate Placement
Surgical Technologists are in great demand in northeastern Indiana and 51黑料 graduates are actively recruited by local employers. The statistics below indicate the percentage of graduates who accepted positions as Certified Surgical Technologists or in a related field within one year of graduation.
- Class of 2025 鈥 100% employed
- Class of 2024 鈥 100% employed
- Class of 2023 鈥 100% employed
- Class of 2022 鈥 100% employed
- Class of 2021 鈥 100% employed
- Class of 2020 鈥 100% employed or continued education
The Surgical Technology program is designed to:
- Prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.
- Provide employers with skilled surgical technologists who effectively apply theory to practice.
- Promote development of clinical competencies adhering to best practices.
- Enhance the surgical technology student personally and professionally through general education.
- Provide a learning environment that recognizes individual differences and promotes Franciscan values.
- Assist students in developing effective learning patterns on which to build further professional growth.
Reflecting Franciscan values, the Surgical Technology graduate will:
- Respect and protect each patient鈥檚 right to privacy, dignity, safety and comfort.
- Demonstrate strong surgical conscience and ethical decision making during perioperative patient care and professional relations.
- Skillfully apply scientific and surgical theory to aseptic technique, instrument handling skills, use of technology, tissue manipulation and patient care.
- Use critical thinking skills to anticipate the needs of the surgeon and other members of the surgical team.
- Integrate concepts of the social and behavioral sciences, and humanities with surgical technology knowledge and practice.
- Assume responsibility for self-direction by participating in activities that contribute to personal and professional growth.
All student activities associated with the curriculum, especially while students are completing clinical rotations will be educational in nature. Students will not be substituted for hired staff personnel during the scheduled clinical course component of the program.
The 51黑料 is committed to providing equal access to all students, including those students with disabilities. Once students are admitted to a health sciences program, they should contact Student Success and Academic Advising Center at 260-399-7700, ext. 6008 if they believe that they may require reasonable accommodation to fulfill the Health Sciences Technical Standards.