About our Surgical Technology Associate Degree
A certified Surgical Technologist (CST) is a member of the surgical team in the operating room who works with the surgeon, anesthesiologist and certified registered nurse, delivering direct patient care before, during and after surgery. Surgical technologists perform functions and tasks that provide a safe environment for surgical care and contribute to the efficiency of the operating team by supporting operating surgeons, nurses and others involved in operative procedures. Surgical technologists also work in other patient service settings that call for special knowledge about asepsis, or about methods of making or keeping an environment antiseptic.
The program is a cooperative effort between SMCC and the Maine Medical Center (MMC) in Portland. In the first part of the program, students complete prerequisite, general education credits provided by SMCC. SMCC requires a minimum of 22 general education and allied health credits to meet degree requirements. Transfer students should be aware that SMCC requires 15 credits of curriculum-specific coursework be taken at SMCC in order to award a degree. Transfer credits do not count toward this 15-credit minimum.
The second part of the program is a one-year, self-contained surgical technology program provided by MMC. Initial classes are held on the SMCC campus, including basic sciences, care and safety of the patient, and principles of operating room technique. The second phase of classes are held at MMC, enabling the student to gain practical experience in the operating room, participating in clinical rotations to several ambulatory surgery sites to maximize the student’s clinical experience. Graduates are prepared and eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
Students pursuing the Surgical Technology degree should be aware that the clinical portion of the program provided by Maine Medical Center is not eligible for financial aid (including the Free College Scholarship). Students must make payment arrangements with MMC School of Surgical Technology for the cost of clinicals. Specific information about MMC, the costs of the clinical portion of the program, and clinical course requirements are available to view on the MMC Surgical Technology webpage. Also, students who are enrolled only in the MMC surgical technology clinicals are not eligible for on-campus housing or other services reserved for SMCC students. Students who decide not to pursue Surgical Technology clinicals have the option to pursue a Health Science degree, a Health Science degree with a different concentration, or an entirely different major which is financial aid eligible.
Upon completion of the MMC surgical technology program and the prerequisite general education requirements through SMCC, students will earn an SMCC associate degree. The candidate is awarded 42 credits for the surgical technology credits completed through MMC, which serve as the technical core of the associate degree. The associate degree enhances career opportunities through vertical mobility, practitioner levels refinement, and maximized employment prospects.
The MMC School of Surgical Technology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.CAAHEP.org). SMCC is fully accredited as a post-secondary educational institution by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
What opportunities does this program provide?
Launch Your Career
SMCC graduates in this program have gone on to work as:
- Hospital Surgical Technologist
- Private Practice Surgical Tech
- Medical Sales Representative
- Operating Room Technician
- Obstetrical Scrub Technician
- Organ Recovery Specialist
- Surgical Tech – Ambulatory Surgery OR
- Surgical Tech – Plastic Surgery
Continue Your Education
SMCC graduates have used our transfer agreements to continue their education at:
- Johnson & Wales University
- Maine College of Art
- Mount Holyoke College
- Saint Joseph’s College
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Thomas College
- University of Maine
- University of New England
- University of Southern Maine
- Wellesley College
To view our seamless transfer agreements, visit our Transfer webpage.
How do I complete this program?
Browse the information below to view our program requirements and how you might complete this program.
Estimated Full-Time Degree Completion Time
Please note, these estimates are based on a student taking an average of 15 credits per semester and do not include college preparatory or developmental courses.
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Are you a current student?
Be sure to view the degree program requirements for your specific program. Log into MySMCC and click My Maine Guide, MyDegree to learn more.
Prerequisites:
- A high school diploma or GED/HiSET/High School Equivalency Diploma
- Successful completion of all general education courses:
- English Composition
- Introduction to Literature
- Math Elective (3cr)
- Two Social Science Electives (6cr)
- Biology with Lab for Non-Majors OR Biology I with Lab with grade of 2.0/C or better
- Fine Arts/Humanities Elective (3cr)
- Note on Prerequisite Courses: SMCC requires 15 credits of curriculum-specific coursework be taken at SMCC in order to award a degree. Transfer credits do not count toward this 15-credit minimum
- Attend an Info Session (Coming Soon)
- SMCC Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
Related Programs
Not ready to commit to a degree program? We may have other options that work for you.
Did you know that we offer a broad array of short-term workforce training programs that allow you to enter the workforce and start earning quickly? These programs are a great way to enter a career in your area of interest and to become accustomed to college classes. They are also often grant-funded (free of charge to trainees). And, if you find you want to keep going, we can help you find a related academic degree or certificate program of interest with which you can continue your education.
Learn More:
Accreditation, Outcome Data & Licensure Information
Accreditation
The MMC School of Surgical Technology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.CAAHEP.org). SMCC is fully accredited as a post-secondary educational institution by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Student Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Provide safe care to the patient in a surgical setting.
- Function as an integral part of a surgical team.
- Demonstrate aseptic technique.
- Practice as a surgical technologist in multiple clinical settings.
- Work in related medical settings such as research, infection control and medical sales.
- Sit for the national certification examination for surgical technologists.
Out-of-State Licensure Information
If you are completing this program and will be seeking licensure in another state, please download our Out-of-State Licensure document.
Costs & Financial Aid
This degree program may have specific associated costs which are important to know before attending. We encourage you to apply for financial aid which provides funds in the form of grants and scholarship (free), loans (need to repay) and student employment (earned money.)
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Contact Us:
Admissions: 207-741-5800 or smccadmissions@mainecc.edu
Program Manager: Brenda Buck, 207-741-5589 or Brenda.Buck@MaineHealth.org