Surgical Technology | AAS - Western Iowa Tech Community College

A Surgical Technologist (ST) is a healthcare professional who works as part of the surgical team to ensure the operative procedure is completed under optimal conditions. You will work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses and other key surgical personnel in hospital operating rooms and outpatient surgery centers. STs play a critical role in surgical patient care.

Your primary responsibility as a Surgical Technologist is maintaining the sterile field and being constantly vigilant that all members of the team adhere to proper aseptic techniques that prevent contamination or infection. You must anticipate the needs of the surgeon, pass instruments and provide sterile items in an efficient manner, as well as directly assist by handling tissue, using instruments, and providing wound exposure within the operative field. Surgical Technologists are in demand across the state.

The Surgical Technology program prepares you to function as a member of the surgical team in hospitals and clinics with registered nurses and surgeons in the operating room. The graduate is qualified to prepare the surgical environment and function as a team member during the operative procedures. National certification is available to graduates.

You must have applied to the college within the past two semesters in order to register for this program. Please allow 24 hours for your application to process before booking an appointment with an advisor.

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Meet Your Advisor

Entrance Requirements

All students must submit the following items for application to the program to be considered:

A copy of a Final Official High School, GED or HSED transcript with date of graduation. For applicants currently in high school, please present a current high school transcript and then later submit the Final Official High School Transcript with the date of graduation.
Official college transcripts of previously attended institutions.
ACT Scores (if completed) listed on HS Transcript or other official documentation.

All students must meet the following criteria for admission/acceptance to the program:

Verification of high school, GED, or HSED official transcript

All students must meet one of the following criteria for admission/acceptance into the program:

Criteria 1 for Acceptance

Submitted documentation of composite ACT score of at least 20.

or Criteria 2 for Acceptance

Completed an associate's degree or higher from an accredited institution

or Criteria 3 for Acceptance

Competition of BIO 168 & BIO 173 with no grade lower than a C

or Criteria 4 for Acceptance

Verification of high school official transcript of GPA 2.7 or higher AND
Completion of (1) year high school Biology or science equivalent with no grade lower than a C.

Meet Your Faculty and Staff

Jenny Jolin
Surgical Technology Instructor
jenny.jolin@witcc.edu
Call 712.317.3192
Sioux City Campus, Room L314

Renee Nemitz
Surgical Technology Instructor
renee.nemitz@witcc.edu
Call 712.317.3403
Sioux City Campus, Room L314

Accreditation Information

The surgical technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Job openings are available nationwide for graduates of the surgical technology program. Employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. (Bureau of Labor statistics). Admission to the surgical technology program requires applicants to meet program-specific criteria. For information on application procedures and acceptance, contact the Admissions Office at Western Iowa Tech. Students must achieve a grade point average of 2.00 (C) or above in all program requirements.

Eligibility For Board Certification

The Surgical Technology program is CAAHEP accredited. Graduates from the program are eligible to obtain certification from the National Board of Surgical Technologist and Surgical Assistants.

Program Board Results

88% of the Western Iowa Tech Surgical Technology Program graduates who attempted the National Certification Exam in 2023 achieved the status of Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

Licensure Information

View Program Licensure Information

For information on becoming a Certified Surgical Technologist, contact:
National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
6 West Dry Creek Road, Suite 100
Littleton, CO 80120
Internet: www.NBSTSA.org

For information on becoming a Tech in Surgery-Certified, contact:
National Center for Competency Testing
7007 College Blvd., Suite 250
Overland Park, KS 66211

Estimated Program Costs

In-state tuition and fees: $13,520.00 *
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $13,910.00 *
Educational fees: $97.00/semester
Estimated books: $600.00/semester **
Estimated transportation and personal expense: $2,273.00/semester
Estimated student housing and food: $3,400.00/semester

* This is an approximate cost based on tuition and fees set by the Board of Directors before each school year. Course level fees may also apply. Use our class search page to find more information specific to each class. Additional charges for licensure or credential testing may be a part of your program.
** The cost of books varies per program.