SCC’s Surgical Technology Program Receives National Merit Award

Southeast Community College’s Surgical Technology (www.southeast.edu/surgicaltech) program has been recognized for achieving at least a 90-percent graduate pass rate on the Certified Surgical Technologist examination. The timeframe used was August 1, 2016, through July 31, 2017.

Sharon Rehn, program chair, said graduates routinely achieve a 100-percent first-time pass rate year after year, which is much higher than the competition.

“The national average hovers around 69 to 70 percent pass rates,” she added.

Graduates who obtain national certification understand the basic competencies for safe patient care in the operating room. The CST is widely recognized in the health care community as the foremost credential for surgical technologists in the nation. It’s also required for employment at many health care organizations.

Rehn said surgical technology is a stable career for students to consider when thinking about a future in health care.

“There are always job openings in this state for surgical technologists,” Rehn said. “Yet we struggle to find students who know much about our profession. Surgical technologists are highly paid health care professionals who play a vital role on the surgical team.”

For more information on the Surgical Technology program at SCC, visit www.southeast.edu/surgicaltech.