Surgical Technologist

Associate of Applied Science Degree

The surgical technology field is expected to continue its rapid growth as the nation ages and more people will require surgical interventions. The pool for potential surgical patients will grow even more as people age into Medicare or obtain coverage through healthcare reform.

Anthem College—Maryland Heights (St. Louis) offers an Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technologist that trains students to enter this important medical support field. Program graduates effectively compete for entry-level positions in the field. Over time, they may assume supervisory roles or advance into more specialized areas.

A surgical technologist program provides students with the technical, professional, and emotional skills necessary to handle a job in the operating room (OR). Our associate degree covers a broad spectrum of courses that address these topics. Courses discuss issues such as life and death in the OR and ethics, as well as classes in general, special, orthopedic and cardiovascular surgery.

A Surgical Technologist Career Overview

Surgical technologists are responsible for performing or supervising routine procedures before, during and after surgery. They ensure the OR has been disinfected and all surgical instruments have been properly sterilized and placed on a surgical tray. During surgery, they hand and receive instruments to and from the medical team. They conduct counting procedures to ensure all supplies and instruments are accounted for—a key function to control post-surgical infection and complications. After surgery, they disinfect the OR and dispose or sterilize the instruments used in surgery.

After they have successfully finished all coursework, associate degree candidates are placed in externships with local hospitals, surgicenters, or physician practices. There, they assist with surgeries to practice and improve their skills in real-world settings.

At Anthem College, we want to support our students every step of the way. Our classes are available during the day and in the evenings in order to accommodate our students’ busy schedules. We also provide:

• Student services that help students stay and succeed in school
• Academic advising, tutoring and study groups set up by our dedicated Education Department
• Supportive community environment

Call us today at 855.526.8436 to learn more about our surgical technologist program. You can also fill out the form provided on this page and one of our representatives will contact you shortly.