Surgical Services

Surgical services technologists are allied health professionals, who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients.

Surgical services technologists work under the supervision and delegatory authority of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive and non-invasive surgical procedures, ensuring that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Surgical services technologists are experts in the theory and application of the principles of asepsis and sterile technique to combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation and tools and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedure.

Program Goals and Minimum Expectations

To prepare entry-level Surgical Technologist who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

Upon completion of the Associate of Science Degree Program, students will take a certification exam which is an industry recognized credential.

Florida Civic Literacy Requirement

Indian River State College requires all incoming students from the 2018-2019 academic year and beyond, to meet the Civic Literacy requirement. All first-time-in-college (FTIC) students entering all Florida College System (FCS) and State University System (SUS) institutions must demonstrate competency in civic literacy by the time they graduate per FL Statute 1007.25 and Florida Board of Governors Regulation 8.006.

Click on the Florida Civic Literacy Competency Requirement page for more information. https://irsc.edu/admissions/florida-civic-literacy-competency.html.

Getting Started

Selection for the Surgical Services program is on a first-come, first-served basis. This is based on submission of the requirements outlined in the Surgical Services Book.

Illicit drug use, background check, convictions and immunization status may prevent future employment. In addition, externship sites, employers, and regulations about drug use, criminal backgrounds, and immunization status.

For more information, contact:
Stephanie Hurst
shurst@irsc.edu

For questions pertaining to refunds, please click here.

Surgical Services (Technology) Program Information Sessions

Registration for the Virtual Information Session is required. The link to the information session will be provided upon completing the registration.

Upcoming sessions:

Applying to the Surgical Services (Technology) Program

The application for the Fall 2025 program will be available as of January 31, 2025. The deadline to apply is April 25, 2025.

To begin the application process:

Read the Surgical Services Technology Application Booklet.
Complete and submit the IRSC Application for the Surgical Technology program. (Pay the $30 non-refundable application fee).

Apply Here

Note: If at any time during the application process you have a change in personal information (name change, address, phone number or emails), submit the changes through MyPioneerPortal and to the Health Science Division at 772-462-7550.

Due to House Bill 1507, admission criteria can be affected. This bill has a possibility to change admission requirements for 2022 and beyond based on the Florida Department of Education rule development. For more information on House Bill 1507, visit https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2021/1507.

Due to Rule 6A-10.024 (16), admission criteria can be affected. This bill has a possibility to change admission requirements for 2024 and beyond on the Florida Department of Education rule department. For more information on this rule, visit:
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=6A-10.024

Licensure Requirements

Indian River State College offers a number of different degrees and certificates leading to professional licensure in the state of Florida. Some professions require both a degree and the successful completion of additional criteria such as licensure exams, field placements, or clinical hours. Student eligibility to apply to sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) in the State of Florida is defined includes possession of a valid form of identification. Please visit the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) website to ensure your eligibility.

If you are a student who may choose to reside outside of Florida after graduation, IRSC cannot confirm whether this degree program meets educational requirements for professional licensure/certification in your state. Some states have requirements in addition to the program’s curriculum. If you wish to take the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam in another state, contact the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to determine whether this degree will meet their licensure requirements.

Completion of the Surgical Services requirements makes you eligible to apply to take the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam in Florida.

Professional Licensure and Certification Disclosure Table for Surgical Technologist

Accreditation

The Surgical Services (Technology) Program at Indian River State College, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).

Additional Program Information

HOSA

This is a national organization which supplements and complements the health occupations education curriculum. HOSA provides students in secondary, postsecondary and collegiate programs with opportunities to develop personal, leadership and career skills needed by health care providers. HOSA helps develop the total person, not just job-specific skills. The rapidly changing health care system needs workers who are technically skilled, people oriented and capable of accepting leadership as a member of a team. Learn more.

Associate in Science

With an Associate in Science Degree from IRSC, you’ll be well-prepared for a professional career as a surgical services technologist. For course descriptions, see the College Catalog.