Certification
Upon graduation students will receive an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Surgical
Technology and will be eligible to complete the national board examination administered
by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
Job Outlook
Employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031,
about as fast as the average for all occupations. Advances in medical technology have
made surgery safer, and more operations are being done to treat a variety of illnesses
and injuries. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook) Individual salaries vary by geographic location, amount of education and experience,
and the type and size of the employer. On average, a surgical technologist will start
with an annual salary of $47,000-$52,000 ($23.00-$25.00 hourly). For more information
about a career in surgical technology please refer to the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
The gainful employment regulation requires nondegree programs at community colleges
to meet minimum thresholds with respect to the debt-to-income rates of their graduates.
You can view the information for this program here as reported to the Department of Education.
Cost of Attendance
For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.
Program Career and Salary Information
Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours,
program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related
to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at https://scorecard.mo.gov/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree
or credential type of interest.
The following limitations to the data apply - Information provided is based on the
most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion
data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program
of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.
The Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of
Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon recommendation of the ARC-STSA
Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
(arcstsa.org). The program has been fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied
Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) since 1978.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
ARC/STSA
19751 E. Mainstreet, Suite 339
Parker, CO 80138
303-741-3655
The student can expect to incur some fees/expenses while enrolled in the Surgical
Technology program. These fees are approximate and subject to change.
Approximate tuition currently based on 63 credit hours:
Cost Per Credit Hour:
Miscellaneous Fees:
Approximate Total Cost: Tuition and Miscellaneous fees
St. Louis Community College provides a comprehensive financial aid program. For more
information including a cost calculator, information on STLCC scholarships and FAFSA
please visit the financial aid webpage.
Prior to application, we recommend that you meet with an STLCC academic advisor. The advisor can help you plan your courses, clarify program requirements, and review
your academic history as it relates to this program. Visit the STLCC academic advising page.
- All applicants for the Surgical Technology program must first be admitted to St. Louis
Community College.
- Applications for this program are accepted on a continuing basis throughout the year.
- Due to the popularity of this program, the number of qualified applicants may exceed
the number of openings. Students will then be put on a wait list on a first come/first
serve basis.
- Students need to meet with their academic advisor to fill out a Surgical Technology
program application.
- Applicants admitted to the program must attend a mandatory orientation session prior
to the fall semester. The specific date, time and location of the orientation are
included in the admissions letter sent each spring.
Requirements and prerequisites for the surgical technology program must be satisfied
prior to applying to the program. The program prerequisites are:
- completion of MTH 108 or two semesters of high school algebra with a "C" or better
within the last five years
- completion of BIO 111 with a "C" or better within the last five years
- an overall cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
Students enrolled in the associate program will have the entire second year to gain
experience at a clinical site passing instruments and assisting the surgeon.
Prior to attending clinical education, students will be required to:
- Submit proof of current BLS or CPR for Healthcare Providers
- Submit a completed heath history and physical examination
- Submit a negative TB skin test
- Undergo a background check and drug screen through a college-approved background screening
company prior to the beginning of the fall semester of admission. Students not passing
the criminal background check and/or drug screen may be prohibited from participating
in clinical education. This will prevent the student from being able to complete all
program requirements
- Meet technical standards related to observation, communication, motor skills, behavioral
and social attributes
* The above requirements will be discussed at length during the orientation session.
It is not required to complete these items prior to entry in the program.
Students will have the opportunity to attend a clinical site under the supervision
of an instructor and staff preceptors, students will perform as members of the operating
room team. Below is a list of affiliated clinical sites.
Surgical Technologists are in demand in St. Louis and St. Louis Community College
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 2022 – 80% employed
Class of 2021 – 82% employed
Class of 2020 – 92% employed
Class of 2019 – 94% employed
Below are the pass rates for St. Louis Community College graduates completing the
National Examination for the Certified Surgical Technologist offered by the National
Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
Class of 2022 – 80% pass rate
Class of 2021 – 82% pass rate
Class of 2020 – 100% pass rate
Class of 2019 – 94% pass rate
Emily Albers CST, BA
Program Director
314-644-9645
ealbers12@stlcc.edu
Jennifer Besancenez CST, BS
Clinical Coordinator
314-644-9629
jbesancenez@stlcc.edu
Diane Gerardot CST, M.Ed.
Adjunct Faculty
Minnie Smith Buckingham CST, CSFA
Adjunct Faculty
Stan Romeo CST
Adjunct Faculty
Debbie Schmitt CST, AAS
Adjunct Faculty
Daniel Braymer CST
Adjunct Faculty
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