Cosumnes River College
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Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Surgical Technology

Surgical Technology

Overview

The Surgical Technology program teaches students the skills necessary to become a Surgical Technologist. Surgical Technologists are employed in hospitals, surgery centers, and physician's offices to deliver patient care before, during, and after surgery. Cosumnes River College's program combines academic and clinical instruction, including preparing surgical instruments, passing them to the surgeon, and handling specialized equipment.

Degrees Offered

  • A.S. in Surgical Technology

Associate Degree

A.S. in Surgical Technology

Surgical Technologists are employed in hospitals, surgery centers, and physician's offices to deliver patient care before, during and after surgery. Cosumnes River College's program combines academic and clinical instruction that includes learning to prepare surgical instruments, passing them to the surgeon, and handling specialized equipment.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
SURG 100 Introduction to Surgical Technology 2
SURG 105 Basic Sciences for Surgical Technologists 5
SURG 110 Surgical Patient Care Concepts 5
SURG 112 Surgical Skills Lab 5
SURG 115 Surgical Specialties 4
SURG 120 Surgical Technology Practicum I 5
SURG 122 Surgical Technology Practicum II 4.5
Total Units: 30.5

The Surgical Technology Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus the local CRC General Education Requirement, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See CRC graduation requirements.

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

  • Admission to the Surgical Technology Program requires the following minimum entrance requirements. Credit may be given for previous comparable coursework. A minimum grade of "C" or better is required in all prerequisites:
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Human Anatomy equivalent to BIOL 430 and 431
  • Medical Terminology equivalent to AH 311
  • Microbiology equivalent to BIOL 440
  • English equivalent to ENGL C1000 (formerly known as ENGWR 300)

Enrollment Process

Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:

  • Admission to the Surgical Technology Program is by special application only. Students are chosen by random lottery process if demand exceeds capacity.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • PSLO #1: Demonstrate knowledge of surgical instruments and equipment handling across various surgical specialties.
  • PSLO #2: Implement appropriate surgical protocols and procedures in various clinical settings, including aseptic technique and infection control.
  • PSLO #3: Demonstrate competence in assisting surgeons before, during, and after surgical procedures.
  • PSLO #4: Demonstrate professional behaviors appropriate for an entry-level surgical technologist.

Career Information

Surgical Technologists can work in Labor and Delivery rooms in hospitals, and/or in Operating rooms in hospitals, surgery centers and surgeon's offices. With additional education they can work as supervisors of Sterile Processing Units or instructors of surgical technology programs.

Surgical Technology (SURG) Courses

SURG 100 Introduction to Surgical Technology

  • Units:2
  • Hours:36 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides an introduction to the field of Surgical Technology. Students will learn the typical duties of a surgical technologist, the roles and functions of the surgical team, the legal regulations and ethical implications of surgical technology, and the various facilities where surgical technologists are employed. Students will also be introduced to the desired qualities and characteristics of a successful surgical technologist. Additionally, the CRC Surgical Technology Program specifics will be discussed, including the application process and entrance requirements.

SURG 105 Basic Sciences for Surgical Technologists

  • Units:5
  • Hours:90 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Enrollment Limitation:Formal acceptance to the CRC Surgical Technology program through the established application process.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course will review the basic sciences of human anatomy and physiology related to surgical procedures, common disease states that require surgical intervention, and the concepts of microbiology involved in surgical procedures. The course will also cover typical medications used during and after surgery, as well as basic physics as it applies to operating room procedures and practices. This course is designed for students who have been officially accepted to the CRC Surgical Technology program through the formal application process.

SURG 110 Surgical Patient Care Concepts

  • Units:5
  • Hours:90 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance to the CRC Surgical Technology program through the formal application process.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides the student with a theoretical and practical understanding of the technology and practices used in caring for a patient undergoing a surgical procedure. Additional material covers the structure and function of various surgical facilities. This course is designed for students who have been officially accepted to the CRC Surgical Technology program through the formal application process.

SURG 112 Surgical Skills Lab

  • Units:5
  • Hours:270 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Corequisite:SURG 110
  • Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance to the CRC Surgical Technology program through the formal application process.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This laboratory course is the hands-on portion of the program where students will learn the clinical skills required to demonstrate competency in the operating room as a surgical technologist. This course is designed for students who have been officially accepted to the CRC Surgical Technology program through the formal application process.

SURG 115 Surgical Specialties

  • Units:4
  • Hours:72 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Enrollment Limitation:Formal acceptance to the CRC Surgical Technology program through the program application process.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course covers the most common procedures and equipment utilized by the surgical technologist during specialty surgery. These specialties include neurosurgery, vascular surgery, orthopedic surgery and others. This course will also help prepare the student for the national certification exam. This course is designed for students who have been officially accepted to the CRC Surgical Technology program through the formal application process.

SURG 120 Surgical Technology Practicum I

  • Units:5
  • Hours:9 hours LEC; 240 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Enrollment Limitation:Formal acceptance to the CRC Surgical Technology program through the program application process.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides the student with hands-on experience in the surgical suite caring for patients under the supervision of a surgical technologist or a registered nurse. They will also gain experience in patient and staff interaction and communication. This course is designed for students who have been officially accepted to the CRC Surgical Technology program through the formal application process.

SURG 122 Surgical Technology Practicum II

  • Units:4.5
  • Hours:240 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Enrollment Limitation:Formal acceptance to the CRC Surgical Technology program through the program application process.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides the student with additional hands-on experience in the operating room under the supervision of a surgical technologist or other licensed surgical practitioner. They will gain experience in patient care and the role of the surgical technologist within the surgical field. This course will also help prepare the student for the national certification examination. This course is designed for students who have been officially accepted to the CRC Surgical Technology program through the formal application process.

SURG 299 Experimental Offering in Surgical Technology

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

SURG 499 Experimental Offering in Surgical Technology

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

Catalog