Surgical Technology

Program Description

The purpose of our program 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.

The Surgical Technology (ST) program at Colorado Mesa University is designed to cover both the academic and clinical skills necessary to perform as a surgical technologist. Small class sizes allow for more one-on-one interaction between the students and the instructors. The program utilizes a skills laboratory and classroom at St. Mary’s Hospital to engage students in an actual hospital setting in preparation for clinical experience.

Surgical technologists work as members of a healthcare team alongside surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses and other healthcare workers. They prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment and help surgeons during surgeries. Students will be prepared to work in many areas of the surgery setting. Surgical technologists prepare sterile solutions and medications used in surgery and check that all surgical equipment is working properly. They help the surgical team put on sterile gowns and gloves. During an operation, surgical technologists pass instruments and supplies to surgeons and first assistants. They also hold retractors and may hold internal organs in place during the procedure. Technologists also may handle specimens taken for laboratory analysis.

Technical Standards and Occupational Risks

Surgical Technologists will be working in close proximity to other team members within the operating room. They must remain alert and stand for long periods of time and must have intact gross and fine motor skills; precise hand/eye coordination and dexterity and the ability to discriminate tactile sensations. They need to be able to pull 75 lbs.; lift 35 lbs.; and push 100 lbs. Students must be able to travel independently to clinical sites as assigned. For a more detailed list of technical standards, please refer to the ‘Essential Functions’ link under the application process section at the bottom of this page.

Surgical Technology students may be exposed to toxic drugs, anesthetic gases, ionizing radiation, infectious diseases, unpleasant sights, and odors. The student should be aware that they will be participating in real surgical interventions during their clinical rotations and there is an inherent risk of being exposed to airborne or blood-borne pathogens. There may be frequent exposure to electricity, electromagnetic fields, electronic media, and latex, as well as chemical hazards including but not limited to disinfecting solutions, dyes, acetone, bleach, and alcohol. Not all patients are aware of an illness or disease that they may have, nor are they required to disclose that information. CMU faculty prepare students for entry-level positions as Surgical Technologists, however the risk of contracting a disease or illness is understood to be a hazard of the profession. Faculty and instructors prioritize the safety of our students in the learning environment.