Overview

Surgical Technology

The Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology prepares qualified individuals to work under the supervision of a surgeon to assist the safe and efficient performance of invasive surgical procedures, make certain that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly and that the operative procedure is performed under optimal conditions that ensure patient safety.

Through a combination of classroom presentations, campus laboratory practice and clinical experiences, the student will develop a knowledge of becoming a surgical technologist in the surgical environment, instrumentation, procedures and supplies necessary to ensure safe care of the surgical patient. The program includes courses in general and technical education. Clinical experiences are offered under faculty and mentor supervision at Camden Clark Medical Center, Memorial Health Systems and other selected community agencies.

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

Accreditation: The West Virginia University Parkersburg Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Accreditation Review Counsel on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
9355 113th Street N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: 727-210-2350
Website: caahep.org

Program Goals and Learning Domains:

Cognitive Domain

1. Provide students with a comprehensive background in the basic sciences, with mastery of aseptic technique, with perfection of surgical technology skills, and with a keenly developed surgical conscience as established in the AST Core Curriculum.
2. Educate students as to the scope of their practice as the patient’s advocate, as well as to the ethical, legal, and professional principles of surgical technology.
3. Prepare students for successful completion of the national certification exam, administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or another nationally recognized surgical technologist credentialing organization.

Psychomotor Domain

1. Ensure students enter the workforce as qualified and technically skilled healthcare professionals in the ever-changing healthcare environment.
2. Educate students with practices of safe patient care and of anticipating the needs of the surgical team in the perioperative setting.
3. Instruct students to employ HIPAA, OSHA, Standard Precautions, and other infection control measures in the healthcare setting.

Effective Domain

1. Prepare students to effectively interact with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team in a therapeutic and professional manner.
2. Help students achieve respect for the diversity of others including, but not limited to, sociocultural, socioeconomic, spiritual, and lifestyle choices.
3. Stimulate and develop within students a pattern of personal growth and improvement and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Application to Program:

Our Nursing and Health Sciences programs have limited enrollment and a selective review process. Applicants requesting admission to the surgical technology program must first meet the requirements for general admission to the college and be admitted to the college. In addition to meeting all general admission criteria for the college, students must complete a separate Nursing and Health Sciences application, provide an official copy of their high school transcript and any prior college transcripts and complete the pre-nursing admission exam. Applications will be accepted year-round. Application forms are available in the Nursing and Health Sciences Division office or here.

Additionally, the applicant must be able to engage in educational and training activities in a manner that does not endanger themselves or others, be of good moral character and have no history of felony conduct or convictions.

Physical standards

Important: The ability to perform under pressure in stressful and emergency situations is a required attribute for surgical team members. Manual dexterity and physical stamina are essential. Many of the responsibilities of the surgical technologist require standing, often for a number of hours; therefore, the applicant must demonstrate the ability to fulfill these job requirements.

As a surgical technologist the student may be required to:

• Stand, bend, stoop and/or sit for long periods of time in one location with minimum breaks.
• Lift a minimum of 20 pounds.
• Refrain from nourishment or restroom breaks for periods up to 6 hours.
• Demonstrate sufficient visual ability to load fine suture onto needles and needle holders with/without corrective lenses and while wearing safety glasses.
• Demonstrate sufficient peripheral vision to anticipate and function while in the sterile surgical environment.
• Hear and understand muffled communication without visualization of the communicator’s lips/mouth and within 20 feet.
• Hear activation/ warning signals on equipment.
• Detect orders sufficient to maintain environmental safety and patient needs.
• Manipulate instrument, supplies, and equipment, with speed, dexterity, and good hand-eye coordination.
• Ambulate/ move around without assistive devices.
• Assist with and/or lift, move, position, and manipulate with or with assistive devices, the patient who is unconscious.
• Communicate and understand fluent English both verbally and in writing.
• Be free of reportable communicable diseases and chemical abuse.
• Possess short- and long-term memory sufficient to perform tasks such as, but not limited to, mentally tracking surgical supplies, and performing anticipation skills intra-operatively.
• Make appropriate judgments and decisions.
• Demonstrate the use of positive coping skills under stress.
• Demonstrate calm and effective responses, especially under emergency situations.
• Exhibit positive interpersonal skills in patient, staff, and faculty interactions.

Working conditions

Students should expect the following working conditions while at the clinical sites:

• Exposure to anesthetic agents, radiation, and electrical energy may occur frequently.
• Exposure to extremes in humidity and temperature.
• Working around heavy, moving machinery.
• Exposure to solvents, grease, and oils.
• Working on uneven walking surfaces that may be slippery.
• Working with flames and burning items.
• Exposure to noise and vibrations.
• Exposure to blood and other potential infectious material.
• Wearing of safety glasses, face mask/shield, and protective clothing and gloves.
• Exposure to nudity and internal human anatomy.

Travel requirements

Students will be expected to attend surgical rotation off WVU Parkersburg campus to maximize education opportunities. Students will be expected to provide their own transportation to the facility providing the opportunity for the student to complete surgical rotation. WVU Parkersburg and the Surgical Technology department are not liable for any motor vehicle accidents during off campus surgical rotation. Location and duration of surgical rotations will be assigned at the discretion of the Program Director throughout the program.

Admission Requirements:

The highest-ranked applicants who meet the admission requirements by September 15 for the spring admission cycle will be admitted first.

Remaining qualified applicants will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis until the class reaches the full capacity. Applicants will be placed on a waiting list which will be dissolved on the first day of classes for that semester. Given the competitive nature of the program, some qualified applicants may not be admitted.

Admission Limitations:

Due to space limitations, qualified applicants are ranked according to pre-nursing admission entrance test scores, and cumulative grade point averages.

Requirements for admission include:

• High school graduate or equivalent (USA GED)
• 2.0 GPA from high school or college courses
• Earn a minimum composite score of 65 on the Health Education Systems, Incorporated (HESI) A2 admission exam. HESI A2 composite scores must be within the last two (2) years. These exams may be completed two times per semester for a maximum of four times each year for consideration for admission. Each attempt must be at least 45 days apart.

It is important to note that completion of the application process does not imply that the applicant will be admitted to the nursing program.

Graduation Requirements:

• Complete the required credit hours as outlined in the program of study.
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• Complete all courses in the curriculum with a grade of C or better.
• Complete at least 15 credit hours at WVU Parkersburg.
• Complete and file the graduation application, in OLSIS, within the stated deadlines.
• Complete the NBSTSA Surgical Technology Certification Exam.

Program Outcomes

Click here to learn more about our accreditation

Testing

All surgical technology applicants must pass the Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) admission assessment exam with a score of 65 or higher. This examination measures general aptitude for nursing. HESI A2 composite scores must be within the last two (2) years. The HESI admission exam may be completed twice per admission cycle. The attempts must be a minimum of 45 days apart. The exam may be taken four times in a 12-month period.

TESTING DATES & TIMES

Test Dates for Fall 2026:

*Seats are limited for Fall 2026 admission

The HESI A2 Nursing exams for Spring & Fall 2026 will take place on campus in room 2318 from 9:00 a .m. – 1:00 p.m. on the following dates:

Spring 2026:

June 12

Fall 2026: 

August 25 & 28

September 3 & 4

October 8, 9, 13 & 16

Cost

The testing fee of $50 must be paid in the Business Office prior to registering for the exam and is non-refundable. The cost of the exam will be assumed by the applicant. You must bring your receipt to the Nursing and Health Sciences Division office to register for the exam. Seating is limited and filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Where

All tests will be conducted in the nursing computer lab, room 2318 or 2332.

What to Bring

A photo ID is required for admission to the test.

Other Details

A study guide is available in the WVU Parkersburg bookstore. Contact the Nursing and Health Sciences Division at 304-424-8300 with any questions. Chemistry and Physics are not tested on the HESI A2 for the nursing program.

Programs

Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology

The surgical technology program prepares students to work under the supervision of a surgeon to assist the safe and efficient performance of invasive surgical procedures and ensure the operative procedure is performed under optimal conditions for patient safety.

Course Listing

Careers

What Can I Do With This Degree?

Graduates can be an integral member of a surgical team, as the surgical technologist works with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses and other surgical personnel delivering patient care and assuming appropriate responsibilities before, during and after surgery.

Costs

Tuition

Estimated rates for the 2024-2025 academic year. Additional course fees may apply and rates are subject to change.
*Early College fees may differ per program, for example, in Welding and Cosmetology.

Estimated Costs Of Attendance

Estimated total costs of attendance for students, varied based on residential status and living situation.

Related Programs

Nursing & Health Sciences Programs

• Nursing Associate Degree
• Surgical Technology (CST-AAS)

Request Information

Brandi Durst

Director of Surgical Technology (Nursing & Health Sciences Division)

• Room: 2300B
• 304.420.8655
• brandi.durst@wvup.edu