The Program of Surgical Technology is a full-time, 10 month accredited program divided into 4 ten-week terms. The design of the curriculum is based on guidelines provided by the Association of Surgical Technologists, Inc. Required hours for program completion consist of 450 hours of total didactic/classroom, 24 hours of total classroom lab, 640 hours of total clinical lab, 1114 total program hours, 120 hours of total case requirements, minimum 80 first scrubs, and minimum 40 second scrubs. Prior to graduation, the student takes the certification examiniation for Surgical Technology. Upon completion of the program, the student receives a Certificate verifying successful achievement of the program of study. The student also receives a copy of their individual transcript.

Students are required to attend full-time, 4 days a week. Typically, the classroom hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the clinical hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Refer to the academic calendar for scheduled holidays and vacations.

Term I is dedicated to preparing the student for entrance into the operating room. Students study anatomy and physiology, fundamentals of asepsis and surgical technology, patient care and safety, and medical terminology. Ample time is dedicated to skill practice in the classroom laboratory before students begin their clinical experience in the second term.

During Term II, students build upon previous courses by studying more complex components of anatomy and physiology. Specific surgical procedures are introduced in this term with emphasis on surgical interventions for the Surgical Technologist. Surgical pharmacology, another component of this term, helps the student correlate the dynamics of pharmacology and anesthesia to the care of the patient during surgery. The clinical laboratory component gives the student the necessary experience to function as a surgical team member in surgeries that are minimally complex.

Term III provides students with the opportunity to study surgical procedures that are moderately complex. Students devote additional hours in the clinical setting to practice corresponding skills. Classroom time is allotted for the study of personal and professional growth to prepare students for joining the work force.

The final phase of the program, Term IV, allows students to study increasingly complex surgical procedures in the classroom and clinical environment. Students are introduced to the advanced practice roles of circulating and first assisting. They also discuss cultural, ethical, legal and moral issues in the classroom as they relate to clinical practice.

During the program, students acquire experience in various clinical areas and several surgical specialties. Central sterile supply, endoscopy, urology and the delivery room are some of the environments used for clinical experience. General surgery, otolaryngology, orthopedic surgery, ophthalmology, gynecology, peripheral vascular surgery and neurosurgery are some examples of surgical specialties which provide students with clinical experience in an operating room and a one-day surgery center.

At BHSN program completion, surgical technology students take a certification examination. Certification as a surgical technologist by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) provides evidence to employers, healthcare professionals and colleagues that the student has been educated and trained to provide safe and competent care in the operating room. It also demonstrates mastery of knowledge in the field of surgical technology. Students who pass the certifying exam use the initials CST to designate their status as Certified Surgical Technologists.