At A Glance
Two-year program consisting of classroom instruction, labs and clinicals.
Graduates work under the supervision of a surgeon.
The field is expected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030, which means employment opportunities are growing in this field.
Graduates can earn between $36,930 and $75,940, depending on experience.
Available at the Scranton and Towanda Campuses.
Welcome to Surgical Technology–Associate Degree
Lackawanna College’s Surgical Technology Program’s primary goal and minimum expectation is to prepare competent, entry-level surgical technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.
Your Career Starts Here
With the surgical technology field expected to grow by 9% over the next 10 years, trained healthcare professionals are needed. With an associate degree, graduates work under the supervision of a surgeon as part of a surgical team. Some of the places they work at include:
- Hospitals
- Same-Day Surgery Centers
- Private Physician Offices
- Labor & Delivery rooms
- Tissue Donor Programs
More About the Program
Lackawanna College’s Surgical Technology Program’s primary mission is to prepare entry-level surgical technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Combine knowledge, skills and professional behaviors and apply them to the national Certified Surgical Technologist Examination administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behaviors to provide quality patient care.
- Use the principles and practice of strict aseptic technique.
- Apply appropriate surgical techniques in various situations within the surgical environment while maximizing patient safety.
- Apply technical skills and knowledge to prepare surgical instrumentation, equipment and supplies for use during surgical procedures.
- Provide a safe, efficient and supportive environment for the peri-operative patient.
- Provide patient-centered care through collaboration with the patient, the surgeon and the healthcare team.
- Demonstrate commitment to continuing education through professional development to provide the community with competent, highly-skilled professionals in the field of surgical technology.
Acceptance into Lackawanna College’s Surgical Tech Program is based on a selective admissions process with a maximum of 20 students selected annually.
The Course Work
The two-year program teaches students theory and application of sterile and aseptic techniques and combine the knowledge of human anatomy, pathology, surgical procedures and implementation of instruments and technologies to facilitate a surgeon’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
Some of the classes students typically encounter include:
- Medical Terminology
- Intro to Surgical Technology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Microbiology
- Clinical Practice
- Surgical Procedures
- Pathology
- Medical Ethics
At the completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
Surgical Technology courses are instructed in sequence. Based on instructor availability, these courses may be during the day or evening. All clinical externships are conducted during daytime hours.
Additional Information
OAE-CST (Outcomes Assessment Exam-National Certified Surgical Technology) Exam Pass Rate
| Academic Year | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Annual Reporting Year | 2024 |
| Number of students graduated (CST exam-eligible) | 5 |
| Number of students taking CST exam | 5 |
| Number of students who passed CST exam | 3 |
OAE reported CST
| Percent of students who passed CST exam | 60% |
|---|
OAE-CST (Outcomes Assessment Exam-National Certified Surgical Technology) Exam Pass Rate
| Academic Year | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Annual Reporting Year | 2025 |
| Number of students graduated (CST exam-eligible) | 4 |
| Number of students taking CST exam | 4 |
| Number of students who passed CST exam | 4 |
OAE reported CST
| Percent of students who passed CST exam | 100% |
|---|
Admissions Criteria and Requirements
Acceptance is based on a selective admissions process with a maximum of 20 students selected annually. Admissions is based on the following criteria and requirements: An application to Lackawanna College along with a separate application to the Surgical Technology program. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by June 1. After June 1, applications will be reviewed as space becomes available.
Completion of a Prerequisite Biological/Science course
When applying to the Lackawanna College Surgical Technology Program, a student must prove that he or she is capable of completing this rigorous program with proof of previous success in studying the Sciences. This can be done in one of three ways:
The student has completed Biology, Chemistry, or Anatomy and Physiology in high school within the past three years with a passing grade of C or better. An official high school transcript must be sent to Lackawanna College as evidence of this.
The student has completed a three (3) or four (4) credit college-level course eligible for transfer within Lackawanna College in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, or Anatomy and Physiology with a passing grade of C or better. An official college transcript must be sent to Lackawanna College as evidence of this.
If neither of the above scenarios applies, a student must enroll in a college-level Biology, Physics, Chemistry, or Anatomy and Physiology course before applying to the Surgical Technology Program. If a student is currently enrolled in this course while in the process of applying to the Surgical Technology Program, the student may receive probationary acceptance while completing this course. Evidence by way of an official college transcript must be received confirming completion of the course with a grade of C or better for official entry into the Fall semester of the Surgical Technology Program. Should the applicant either not complete the course or not receive the requisite grade, he or she will then forfeit the seat within the Surgical Technology Program.
Qualified applicants will be invited for interviews. Following the interview process, applicants will receive a letter with a final determination of acceptance, wait-listed or denied status. The following items are needed when applying:
Please note: Lackawanna College is a veteran friendly institution and veterans (as documented on the Lackawanna College Application) will be awarded five (5) additional points on their admissions rubric for the Surgical Technology Program.
Must meet the minimum requirements of the College
Prospective students must meet the minimum requirements of the college. Applicants must submit proof of high school or GED completion with an official high school transcript or GED equivalent. Lackawanna College will determine the applicant’s current academic ability based on a combination of the following:
SAT or ACT test scores, if applicable
- Recommended SAT scores: 500 Verbal and 500 Math.
- Recommended ACT scores: 20 or higher in each relevant section.
- Most scores are valid for up to 3 years from the test date.
College Transfer Credits
If transferring credits from another college/university, official college transcripts are required.
Placement Test
Applicants without valid SAT/ACT scores and who have not previously earned college credits will be required to take the ACCUPLACER exam for determination of current academic ability. Applicants must achieve “College Ready” scores in Reading, Writing and Math to be considered qualified for the Surgical Technology program.
Due to the very specific nature of these degree programs, applicants with transfer credits may only transfer credits related to program core courses including the following:
- Anatomy and Physiology I – 4 credits (if taken within two years)
- Anatomy and Physiology II – 4 credits with lab (if taken within two years)
- College Algebra
- Computer Applications
- College Writing
- Effective Speaking
- Introduction to Psychology
- Medical Ethics (subject to review)
- Medical Terminology (subject to review)
- Microbiology – 4 credits with lab
- Pathology
Items for official placement into the program
- $100 commitment fee
- Official high school transcripts
- Official college transcripts
- SAT/ACT scores, if applicable
- FAFSA
- CPR Certification
- FBI Clearance
- State Clearance
- PA Child Abuse Clearance
- 2 Step PPD
- Recent Physical Examination
- Copy of Immunization Records (Adult and Childhood)
- Varicella Vaccination Date or a positive Varicella titer, Hepatitis B vaccination (3 shots) or waiver, MMR documentation or MMR positive titers and Adult TDaP (after age 19).
- Flu and/or COVID vaccine proof may be needed at clinical site to complete clinical requirements.
Interview, Writing Sample and Essay
Interviews will be scheduled for qualified Surgical Technology program applicants who meet minimum/admission requirements and who submit a fully completed application packet. The interview will be held with core faculty members of the program. These applicants will be required to create a writing sample on “How Can I Make a Difference as an Allied Health Professional” and an essay on Effective Strategies for Good Communication and Teamwork in the Operating Room. The writing sample and essay should be a 1-page Word type document, 12 pt. font, double-spaced, normal margins.
A mandatory informational meeting will be required prior to the start of the selected program. Qualified students will be notified of the date and time upon selection into the program. The meeting will review the Surgical Technology department’s policies and expectations. The meeting will also allow for a question and answer session and a tour of the Lackawanna College facilities.
Contact
Mary Lou Dotzel, CST A.A.S. BS-AHM
Director of the Surgical Technology Program
(570) 955-1457
Accreditation
The Surgical Technology program at Lackawanna College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775. The accreditation is upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA). For details, visit www.caahep.org or call (727) 210-2350.
