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Surgical Technology
Program description: Surgical technologists (STs) are integral members of the surgical team, which includes surgeons, anesthesiologists and registered nurses. The ST may function in the second circulator, scrubbed member or first assistant (with further education and experience) role on the operating room team.
Entry Time: Spring start (Cedar Rapids site)
Fall start (Distance Education program available at Hawkeye Community College, Indian Hills Community College, Northeast Iowa Community College, Southeastern Community College)
Award: Diploma
Associate of Applied Science degree after completion of additional required courses.
Duties: Most STs work in hospital operating rooms passing instruments, ensuring equipment functions properly and operative procedures are conducted under conditions that maximize safety.
Education: The laboratory portion of the program, which reinforces concepts learned in class, is held in operating suites at area hospitals. Students have clinical experiences in hospitals and actively participate on operating room teams during surgery while clinical preceptors oversee their work.
Accreditation: Kirkwood’s Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in collaboration with the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) based on the recommendations of the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST). The Association of Surgical Technologists can be contacted at 800-637-7433 or 6 West Dry Creek Circle, Littleton, CO 80120.
ST graduates can apply to take the Certified Surgical Technologist test. Certification is strongly recommended, and occasionally required, for employment.
Program Director:
Melissa Carnahan, B.S. CST
221 Linn Hall
319-398-5566
melissa.carnahan@kirkwood.edu | 
