Surgical technologists are allied health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings.

The surgical technologist works under medical supervision to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures. This individual works under the supervision of a surgeon to ensure that the operating room or environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety.

A surgical technologist possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Surgical Tech Handbook

  • Overview

  • Is This Program for You?

    Students who are successful in this field:

    • Possess a strong sense of responsibility, considerable patience and concern for others
    • Function well as a team member
    • Possess manual dexterity and fine motor coordination
    • Perform accurately and efficiently under pressure
    • Psychological and physical stamina

    Program Basics

    • Face-to-Face and Online courses
    • Shared courses with the Nursing Program
    • Financial aid available to those that qualify
    • Summer program start date
    • May take some courses immediately upon program acceptance
    • Students must achieve a grade of a C or better in each course of the program curriculum to be eligible to progress.
    • Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification must be maintained throughout the program. (Courses must include CPR, and a hands-on exam must be taken.)
    • Students who complete this program can pursue transfer to bachelor degree programs.
  • Curriculum & Costs

  • Cost of Attendance (COA) 24-25

    Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

    Category Amount
    Tuition and Fees $4,820
    Living Expenses (Housing and Food) $9,148
    Books and Supplies $1,466
    Personal Expenses $3,608
    Transportation $4,018
    Charger Tech 360 Fee $600
    Loan Fees $84
    Yearly Total (Living Away from Home) $23,744
    1 Semester Total (Living Away from Home) $11,872

    Based on Wisconsin Residents.

    Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

    Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

    These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

  • Requirements

  • Admission and Program Requirements

      • Submit Application
      • HESI Exam: schedule and pay for HESI by calling 608.822.2313 or by going to www.swtc.edu/community/testing-center/hesi​. Passing grade for Grammar, Vocabulary, and Reading is 65%.
      • HS Diploma or equivalent
      • Admissions Meeting: After applying and submitting transcripts, work with your advisor to begin or continue your student success plan to talk about your career interests and goals, develop a plan for paying for college, learn about various funding options, create an academic map, and discuss supports and services. Schedule an admissions meeting by clicking "Make an appointment" with your program advisor.

      Progression Requirement:

      Students must achieve a grade of C or better in each course of the program curriculum to be eligible to progress.

      Program Requirements:

      • Prior to July 1st of your Fall semester each student will need to complete and submit the Health Requirements listed below, to be able to participate in their clinical rotation experience.
        • Physical Form
        • Background Information Disclosure - complete in MySWTC listed in "My Documents"
        • TB skin testing
        • Fact Sheet
        • Current BLS for Healthcare providers CPR certification

    • Surgical Technology Handbook

    Student Work Policy

    During clinical rotations, all clinical experiences will be educational in nature. Students will not be substituted for hired staff or personnel within the clinical facility, in the capacity of a surgical technologist.

    Helpful Academic Background

    • Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics
    • Computers
    • Customer and Personal Service

    Program Fees

    • This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
    • Estimated cost for each semester can be found under the Curriculum tab. Please note that costs are approximate and are based on the current academic year.
    • Please discuss additional fee questions with the program advisor or instructor.
  • Outcomes

  • Program Outcomes

    At the completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:

    • Apply healthcare and technological science principles to the perioperative environment
    • Maintain principles of sterile technique in the surgical environment
    • Provide a safe, efficient, and supportive environment for the patient
    • Prepare the patient, operating room and surgical team for the preoperative phase
    • Perform intraoperative case management in the scrub role
    • Perform postoperative case management
    • Function as an ethical, legal, and professional member of the healthcare team as determined by governing bodies

    Minimum Expectations:

    To prepare competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

  • Career Opportunities

  • Opportunities include working in:

    • Surgical Technologist Scrub Role
    • Central Supply Technologist
    • Surgical Technologist/Private Scrub
    • Second Assisting Technologist (with additional education Surgical First Assistant)
    • Laser/Endoscopic Technologist
    • Tissue/Organ Procurement
    • GI Technologist
    • OB Technologist
    • Surg Tech Instructor
    • Vet Technician

    Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

  • Transfers
  • Prior Learning

  • Credit for Prior Learning

    Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

    Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

    For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

    At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.

    Surgical Technology Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:

    Course # Course Title
    Challenge Exam
    (Demonstration)
    Challenge Exam
    (Standard)
    CLEP
    Credential
    Portfolio
    10-501-101Medical TerminologyYes
    Available online
    10-801-136English Composition 1Yes
    CLEP Test - College Composition
    10-801-196Oral/Interpersonal CommunicationYes
    10-809-172Introduction to Diversity StudiesYes
    10-809-198Introduction to PsychologyYes
    CLEP Test - Introduction to Psychology
  • Accreditation