Surgical Technologists (STs) are experts in hundreds of instruments, devices, tools, procedures, and pathologies. They are responsible for protecting the sterile field in the operating room, assisting surgeons and the clinical team in the care of a patient during surgery, troubleshooting equipment and anticipating needs during a procedure. Some of the duties of a ST include:

  • Create and maintain the sterile field for surgical procedures
  • Acquire needed instrumentation and equipment for a surgical procedure
  • Anticipate needs and pass instrumentation during the surgery
  • Mix medications as directed
  • Handle and label specimens obtained during surgery
  • Aid in patient transfer at the end of the case

The Surgical Technology program is accredited with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education programs (CAAHEP). Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) exam to become Certified Surgical Technologists (CSTs).

Students admitted to the Surgical Technology (ST) program will begin taking courses at CSC, followed by an 11-month technical training program at Dartmouth Health, so they will have completed the Associate of Science prior to certification.

A total of 60 credits is required to earn the Associate of Health Science. Dartmouth Health WRI Surgical Technologist trainees complete 27 credits in the first year of the ST program via 8-week online Liberal Education courses taught by CSC. The final credits are granted from the ST coursework taken at the conclusion of the program, immediately prior to certification. Please note: the additional credits students earn can be rolled into a Bachelor’s degree program.

Surgical Technologist Curriculum
Dartmouth Health Campus
SUR 101 4 cr. Perioperative Patient Care
SUR 102 6 cr. Perioperative Patient Care II
SUR 103 12 cr. Aseptic Lab
AHS 300 4 cr. Anatomy & Physiology II
SUR 200 4 cr. Microbiology
SUR 201 4 cr. Surgical Procedures
SUR 202 12 cr. Surgical Procedures Clinical
SUR 300 3 cr. Pharmacology
SUR 301 4 cr. Surgical Procedures II
SUR 302 12 cr. Surgical Procedures II Clinical
SUR 400 1 cr. Professional Success Development
SUR 401 3 cr. CST Review
SUR 402 4 cr. Surgical Specialties III
SUR 403 12 cr. Surgical Specialties III Clinical
CSC Online Campus: Courses taken prior to DH training courses
WRT 101 4 cr. Introduction to Academic Writing
ALH 101 3 cr. Medical Terminology
BIO 205 4 cr. Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Math Proficiency 4 cr. MAT 206 or MAT 220
Lib Ed 4 cr. One course from one core area:
Social Science
Fine and Performing Arts
History
Literature
IE 300 4 cr. Integrative Experience
PHI 305 4 cr. Biomedical Ethics