Surgical Technology

Associate Degree Program

Want a career where each day presents a new and exciting challenge? Delaware Tech’s Surgical Technology degree prepares you to work in the fascinating world of the operating room. Surgical technologists work under the supervision of a surgeon—handling the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure. They anticipate the needs of the surgical team and monitor the environment to maximize patient safety. To be successful in  this vitally important role, you'll learn the necessary skills in both a classroom and lab environment and participate in actual surgical cases as part of your clinical experience.

Delaware Tech offers the only associate degree program in Delaware for surgical technologists, and graduates will be sought by hospitals and outpatient surgical centers throughout the state and the region. If you're able to work well under pressure with speed, accuracy, and concentration, surgical technology may be for you.

Academically ready students can apply to the program following the guidelines of the Allied Health admissions process. Interested applicants should review the information provided here and contact their program advisor for application requirements.

Offered at the following campus(es): Dover

What You Can Do

In this program, you will gain the knowledge and skills to prepare you for positions such as:

• Surgical Team Health Professional
• Circulating technologists
• Hospital supply department managers

What You Will Learn

Program Graduate Competencies

The Program Graduate Competencies listed below identify the major learning goals related to your specific program of study and identify the knowledge and skills you will have when you graduate to be successful in your chosen field.

1. Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of all surgical team members.
2. Demonstrate the ability to anticipate the needs of surgical patients by properly preparing the operating room suite, equipment, and instrumentation required for surgical interventions.
3. Demonstrate a professional demeanor when communicating with patients and fellow team members.
4. Synthesize a surgical conscience.
5. Participate as an effective, and clinically proficient member of the surgical team throughout the perioperative, intraoperative and immediate postoperative periods.

Core Curriculum Competencies

The Core Curriculum Competencies listed below identify what you will be able to do as a graduate, regardless of your program of study. You will acquire these core competencies through general education courses and program-specific coursework. You will be expected to use relevant technology to achieve these outcomes:

1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Suggested Pathway to Graduation

Pursuing a Bachelor's Degree?

This is a Connected Degree program that enables you to complete your associate degree and then transfer to a four-year degree program as a junior. See a program advisor for details!