Surgical Technology, AS

This 74-credit program will allow individuals completing the required course work to receive a Surgical Technologist Certificate as well as an associate degree and will qualify them to sit for the Surgical Technologist National Certifying Examination.

The surgical technologist is involved in many aspects of a patient’s care in the operating room setting as well as ambulatory surgery, delivery, and emergency rooms. Supervised by either surgeons, anesthesiologists, or nurses, surgical technologists prepare patients for surgery, prepare instruments and equipment, prepare fluids for intravenous administration, prepare specimens for laboratory analysis, and prepare wound dressings. The technologist also assists the surgeon in some procedures.

Prior to official admission to the program, the applicant must be accepted to both the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center’s School of Surgical Technology via an application and interview process. Individuals who currently have a valid surgical technologist certification may receive an associate degree by successfully completing the necessary course requirements. Once this degree is obtained, a student may continue at Pitt-Johnstown to receive a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare.

Courses are team taught by Pitt-Johnstown faculty and hospital instructors within their area of expertise.