Career Description
Surgical technologists, also called “scrubs,” “surgical technicians” or “operating room technicians”, are part of the surgical team. They assist the doctors, nurses, and other operating room workers. They help prepare patients for surgery by washing, shaving, and disinfecting the intended areas of operation. They clean and set up the surgical equipment. They also transport patients to the operating room, position them on the operating table, and cover them with surgical drapes.
Surgical technologists set up the operating room with instruments and supplies. They help the surgical team scrub in and put on their gowns, gloves, and masks. During surgery, they hand instruments and supplies to the surgeons and their assistants. Technicians help keep track of equipment and sterile items during surgery. They also help to prepare samples of tissues (specimens) or organs that will be tested in a laboratory.
For a more complete description of careers in Surgical Technology, refer to the website of the Association Surgical Technology (AST) at www.ast.org.
Admission to the Program
The selection process for the STEC Program begins each spring, with program courses start each June. Students should be aware of the following requirements and procedures regarding program selection:
- Qualification (pre-STEC) courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester in the application year.
- GPA in qualification (pre-STEC) courses must be 2.0 or higher and students must earn a “C” or better in all courses to be eligible for application.
- A maximum of 16 students per year are selected for the program.
- Students must submit a completed Surgical Technology Application Packet by the application deadline of April 15.
Clinical Application Packet
Students must submit a completed Surgical Technology Application Packet by the application deadline of April 15 to Al Smith (B109) or Wanda Buckley-Coody (B127). Packets may also be mailed to:
Bossier Parish Community College
Attn: Surgical Technology Selection Committee
6220 East Texas
Bossier City, LA 71111
Download and complete the Surgical Technology Program Application Packet:
Essential Requirements for Surgical Technology
Note: Contents must be downloaded, completed, and then submitted with packet.
Gainful Employment
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a surgical tech?
The BPCC Surgical Tech program can be completed in as little as 18 months.
Do your graduates have any trouble finding employment after graduation? What kind of salaries are they making?
Our program has an excellent reputation in the community and our graduates have a high rate of employment (currently 100% within 6 months of graduation). The job market and salaries in the Shreveport-Bossier City area are very good. Starting salaries range from $26,000 to $35,000 (including “call pay”).
More information on the job descriptions, job outlook and salaries for surgical technologists can be found on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
Is the BPCC STEC Program Accredited? Why is that important?
Bossier Parish Community College is proud to have an excellent, fully accredited STEC Program. The STEC Program is accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs), which is a requirement for graduates to be eligible to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting certification exam. We encourage you to research the criteria for accreditation and view the most current list of accredited programs at www.caahep.org.
How soon can one begin working as a traveling surgical tech after school?
Travel companies who recruit surgical techs usually require 1 year of work experience as a Surgical Tech. Another common requirement to work as a traveling surgical tech is certification. Most healthcare travel agencies require you to be nationally certified simply due to the fact that more and more hospitals are requiring surgical techs to be nationally certified as a pre-employment requisite. BPCC's STEC program is accredited which allows you to sit for the National Certification.
Do you need to complete a certain amount of cases to work as a traveling tech?
The TYPEs of cases you can scrub will probably be more important than the amount of cases you have scrubbed. Once you get a year of experience and are very proficient in a service or specialty that is in high demand for travelers, (high demand specialties include Orthopedics, Cardiovascular, Neuro, and Eyes just to name a few), you may have the opportunity to work all over the country.
I want to pursue this degree. What do I need to do first?
- Contact a STEC advisor to answer any questions related to the Program and request a transcript review. While you are welcome to call, the most efficient way to correspond and receive responses is by email (surgtech@bpcc.edu).
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Contact the admissions office of Bossier Parish Community College (318-678-6000) to requestan application for admission to the college. There is an application fee that must be paid at the time of submission. Be sure to mark “STEC” on the application as your field of study so you will be assigned a surgical technology advisor.
- Ask for an Academic Bulletin/Schedule of Classes. The academic bulletin will contain information on new student orientation, tuition and fees, financial aid, student services and courses that will be offered. It includes the dates and times for registration.
- Request information on financial aid by visiting the Financial Aid Office, or by calling 318-678-6000. Be aware that if you do not qualify for financial aid, you may still request a deferment of fees, which allows you to pay tuition in installments rather than all at once.
Additional Program Information
- Students who are selected for the STEC Program must be available for daytime classes, five days a week for the fall and spring semesters.
- Students selected for the STEC program must adhere to the STEC Clinical Requirementsrelated to additional tests/immunizations required, documentation submission and policies/procedures of the division/program. In addition, program students are responsible for obtaining and maintaining requirements required by the clinical sites.
- All students selected for the Surgical Technology program are required to submit for a drug/alcohol screen(s) and background check(s). Background check findings may affect a student’s ability to complete the program, to take the national certification exam, or seek state licensure.
- Students selected for STEC program pay a clinical fee, in addition to regular tuition, each clinical semester.
Contact Information
Al Smith, Program Director
Surgical Technology
asmith@bpcc.edu
surgtech@bpcc.edu
6220 East Texas
Bossier City, La. 71111
Office: 318-678-6330
Fax: 318-678-6199