Surgical Technology Information

The program is designed to prepare graduates to function in surgery and other areas where surgical/sterile technique is of paramount importance. The graduate is capable of preparing supplies and equipment for surgical procedures, serving as second assistant to the surgeon, participating in the sterile area as a scrub technologist and assisting the surgical team as a circulating technologist.

Contact Information for Surgical Programs

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in cooperation with the Association of Surgical Technologists.

(Accredited to 2027)

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

9355 - 113th St. N, #7709

Seminole, FL 33775

727/210/2350

www.caahep.org

Selective Health Program Admission Process

Students may apply to a maximum of three selective admissions programs

Apply for Admission to Owens Community College.

Apply Online Now!

Request Evaluation for Admission to a Health Program.

Applicants must have a complete file in the Records Office by established deadline dates.   If you were previously evaluated and denied, and wish to be re-evaluated for the same program or any other health program, you must submit another Request for Health Evaluation.  To view file status, regularly check “My Required Documents” via Ozone.

- view FAQ’s for Selective Health Admission Process

- view Deadline Dates and Requirements for a Complete File

- Submit a Request for Health Program Evaluation by logging into your Ozone account. Select the Academic Info tab and navigate to the Selective Health portal and select Request a Health Evaluation.

Official transcripts are required from the applicant’s high school, college or university attended.  If you have a GED, high school, or college transcript(s), please request an official copy be sent to:

Owens Community College

Attn:  Records Office

P.O. Box 10,000

Toledo, OH 43699-1947

If you have an official, sealed copy of a transcript to drop off, visit Oserve on the Toledo or Findlay campus during regular hours, found at www.owens.edu/oserve, to submit.

Evaluation does not mean automatic admission to the program.  Results of the Health Evaluation will be sent to your Owens email account approximately 2-3 weeks after the evaluation deadline date.

For assistance with the selective health program admission process, requirements, procedures and final date for receipt of application contact the Pre-Health Advising Advisor.

Admission Requirements

The Surgical Technology Program begins each fall semester.  Applicants will be reviewed on January 15 once the following is complete.  If the program is not filled after the January 15 review, an additional review will be held on June 15 to offer applicants an opportunity to begin the program.  

1. Graduation from high school or successful completion of the GED (General Education Development) test is required. High school students may apply, but continuation in the program may be contingent upon submission of an official high school transcript verifying graduation.
2. Official transcripts are required from any college or university attended.
3. A grade of “C” or better in one of the following: one full credit of high school level chemistry, CHM 095 , a higher level college chemistry course or PHY 115 .
4. A grade of “C” or better in one of the following: one full credit of high school level anatomy, biology, anatomy & physiology, BIO 101 , BIO 201 , BIO 202 , BIO 211 , or BIO 212 .
5. Completion of the ACT or SAT. 
6. The first attempt, from any institution, of the most recent version of all four components of TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills).
7. Some programs require observation hours.
8. Some programs require an Ohio Department of Health approved Nurse Assistant Training Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) completed within two years of the beginning of the first SNHP Program clinical course. 

Applicants should view “My Required Documents” in their student portal for a complete list of requirements.

Selective admissions points are earned as described below. A maximum of 50 points can be earned. A rank ordered list of applicants by point total will be developed. The applicants with the highest number of points will be offered a seat the program.  The applicants with the next highest number of points will be offered a seat as an alternate.

Points are calculated based on the following:

1.  Grade Point Average (GPA)  

A maximum of 20 points can be earned based on the applicants most recent GPA:

A. Applicants who have completed 11 or more college credit hours, as specified below, will be reviewed using their college GPA.  Three of the 11 college credit hours must include a math or science course. The only courses included in the calculation of college GPA are:

Math - the one, most recent, college level math course (MTH 101 or higher) which must be at least three credit hours.

Science - the most recent attempt at BIO 211  and / or BIO 212 .

Humanities or Social Science - the one, most recent, college level humanities or social science course which must be at least three credit hours.

Communication - the most recent attempt at ENG 111 . 

B. If a college GPA is not applicable, the high school GPA on file at Owens Community College will be used. 

2.  TEAS Entrance Assessment

A maximum of 16 points can be earned based on the applicant’s first attempt on the most recent version of TEAS in the areas of Reading, Science, English and Math.

Reading and Science - a maximum of five points can be earned in each area for a total of ten points.

English and Math - a maximum of three points can be earned in each area for a total of six points.

3. ACT or SAT Score

A maximum of eight points can be earned based on the most recent ACT or SAT score.

4. Course Completion

A maximum of eight points can be earned based on the first graded attempt of the following four courses. Points are not earned for grades of “C”.

A minimum of 15 points out of a total of 52 points must be achieved in order to be considered for Surgical Technology Program Admission. 

Extenuating, documentable situations may prevent a student from beginning a program for which a seat has been accepted. Students may petition the program manager or chair to explore the possibility of securing a seat in a future semester. Contact the program chair for additional information.

Criteria for a tied score:

The following criteria will be used to break a tie in the event of two or more students receiving the same number of points on the selection criteria tally form at the time of selection in the following order:

1. Highest GPA points.
2. Highest TEAS Entrance Assessment points.
3. Most recent ACT Composite score points.
4. Course completion points.

If two students are still tied after the above determinations have been made, a lottery system will be used to determine the selected candidate.

Progression/Completion Requirements

All students entering or enrolled in the Surgical Technology Program must achieve a “C” or better in all program and general education courses within the plan of study to progress through the program.  A student who fails to achieve a grade of “C” or better in any course within the plan of study must see the program director. A student who earns a grade of “D” or “F” in two program courses or earns a grade of “D” or “F” in one program course twice, is permanently dismissed from the Surgical Technology Program and is ineligible for readmission.  The Surgical Technology Program must be completed within three years from the date of enrollment in the first program technical course.

All program courses listed for each semester must be taken in the semester listed. General education courses listed for each semester must be taken in the semester listed or prior to the semester listed.

Readmission

If a student does not successfully complete the first technical course in their program of study and requests readmission, the student may file a Request for Re-evaluation through Ozone and will be reviewed by the program admissions committee with all new students. If a student successfully completes the first technical program course and requests readmission for any succeeding semester, the student may file a request for readmission with the Department Chair.

Academic Readmission

1. Students who leave the program and request readmission for SUR 101  and SUR 105  may file a Request for Reevaluation via Ozone and have the request reviewed by the program admissions committee along with all new students.

2. A student requesting readmission after withdrawing with a “D” or “F” in any program course must complete the following courses with “C” grades or better before being considered for readmission: MTH 213 , BIO 211 , BIO 212 , BIO 231 , ENG 111 , HIT 125 , PSY 101 , PHL 102 , SUR 100  and SUR 105 .

3. The student also must contact the Academic Advising Office for assistance in developing a written academic plan to resolve the academic problem. The Department Chair and Dean must approve this plan before readmission to the program based on seat availability.

4. No second readmission will be considered.

Health Requirements

Documentation of the following must be in the surgical office by the deadline date provided.  This deadline is strictly enforced. Getting the necessary testing completed is not enough, students must also submit the documentation to the office to be in compliance.

The following are clinical health requirements for students enrolled in any surgical program:

A physical examination, health statement that you are free from communicable disease yearly, and yearly flu vaccination.

Proof of immunity to the following communicable diseases:

Rubella, Rubeola (not required if born prior to 1957), Mumps, and Varicella immunity screening.

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, no more than three months prior to the beginning of the series, or during the series if the series has been started but not completed.
Hepatitis B Antibody if the series is complete upon entrance to the Surgical Technology department.

Immunizations:

Tdap with a booster required every ten years

Measles, Mumps, Rubella  (MMR) two immunizations after the age of 1 year.

Hepatitis B, series of 3 immunizations, dates required.

Tuberculosis Skin Testing:

A Two-Step PPD (Mantoux Test) is required every three years.

One-Step PPD is required each year, in the intervening years.

Date test administered, date read, and result of each step must be submitted. Students are responsible for getting a One-Step PPD annually and submitting the results. A Chest X-Ray is required only if the Mantoux is positive. X-Rays must be done for three consecutive years after the positive test.

CPR

All students must be certified in CPR through the American Heart Association (AHA) - Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers.

All costs are the responsibility of the student. Failure to comply will result in denied access to the clinical area.

Background Checks

A BCI & I and a BCI & I and FBI criminal records check will be done prior to beginning the program.  The type of criminal records check will be determined by the State of residence and length of time of residency in the State.

Technical Standards

Technical Standards are defined by the Owens Community College Surgical Faculty and the Association of Surgical Technologist as the functional abilities determined to be essential to the practice of surgical technologist.

The purpose of this document is to notify prospective surgical technology students of these technical standards to enable them to make an informed decision regarding enrollment in the Surgical Technology Program at Owens Community College.

The delivery of safe, effective care requires that students be able to perform functions related to the Technical Standards. The inability of a student to perform these functions may result in the student being unable to meet course objectives and to progress in the Surgical Technology Program. Additionally if a student is unable to perform these required functions, the student may pose a risk of harm to the patient(s) for whom care is provided.

If you have a disability or acquire one, you may be entitled to receive individualized services and/or accommodations intended to assure you an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the program. To receive more information or to apply for services, please contact the Office of Disability Services in Alumni Hall 103 at (567) 661-7007 or email disability@owens.edu.  English as a second language is not considered a disability and as such the student will not be given extra time for any timed activities.

All prospective and current Surgical Technology students must be able to meet these standards, with or without reasonable accommodations.

The following chart outlines the Technical Standards and the related functions required by the Owens Community College Surgical Technology Program:

- view the Technical Standards Chart  

Clinical Experience

The program provides students with the opportunity to work with Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) and scrub nurses to gain valuable clinical expertise. As part of the curriculum, the clinical affiliations demand students reach standard case requirements. In addition this experience allows graduates to successfully enter the field as a competent professional. Due to limited clinical experience availability the surgical technology program is limited to 20 students each fall semester.

Surgical technology students will rotate through the clinical affiliates as scheduled in the course sequence. The standard clinical case requirement is 120 cases as defined in the AST Core Curriculum, 6th edition.

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 within the clinical institution, in the capacity of a surgical technologist.

- view Clinical Affiliations  

- view Core Curriculum  

Certification Exam

Upon fulfillment of program requirements, students will be eligible to take the certification examination administered by The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), website: nbstsa.org/.

Employment Opportunities

Approximately 90% of the graduates of the surgical technology program reported (2013 - 2018) being employed in their field of study or a closely related field within 6 months of graduation. The majority of graduates obtain employment at facilities that are engaged as clinical sites. While most graduates choose to be employed locally, some are working in states other than Ohio, opportunities are nationwide. Graduates can be employed in acute care facilities, out-patient facilities, physician office/private scrub, purchasing and material management departments, labor and delivery area, surgical sales and instrument processing. Career titles include: Scrub Surgical Technologist, circulating Surgical Technologist, and Second Assisting Technologist

In a recent study on the job outlook for surgical technologists published by the US Department of Labor’s bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), they report: employment is expected to grow much faster that average. Job opportunities will be best for technologists who are certified and for those who are willing to relocate. Employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow 12 percent, much faster that the average for all occupations, as the volume of surgeries increases. The number of surgical procedures is expected to continue to rise at the population grows and ages. Significant points made by the BLS that have been published at http://www.bls.gov.

• The mean hourly wage is $22.74
• The mean annual wage is $47,300

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Owens Community College maintains an Oserve Office on each campus. Oserve is the place for you to ask questions related to scholarships and financial aid. Contact: 1-800-GO OWENS ext. 2387 or (567) 661-2387 Email: oserve@owens.edu

Transfer Information

Graduates may pursue a Bachelor of Science of Allied Health degree at Bowling Green State University or a Bachelor of Arts degree at Lourdes College. Meet with an Advisor or the Department Chair for more information.