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Harper College

Program Data and Outcomes

Program Outcomes

The surgical technology faculty utilize a variety of assessment methods to ensure that the graduates meet the following outcomes.

Exhibit professional and effective communication with members of the surgical team with increasing engagement, increasing intuition, increasing interpretation of verbal and visual clues.

Demonstrate entry level surgical judgment following established procedures relying on previous learned information and experiences responding with increasing speed and anticipation while staying calm and focused.

Utilize surgical conscience by applying principles of aseptic technique to establish and maintain a sterile field.

Employ complete and accurate surgical case preparation based on knowledge gained from anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, principles in general education courses.

Demonstrate continued professional development in being prepared for the profession and providing safe care.

Participate in life- long learning and maintaining certification in order to keep pace with changing procedures and technology in surgery.

Acquire an understanding of legal, moral, medical values, and ethical concerns related to the surgical patient and surgical team during the perioperative phase of care.

Provide safe and professional surgical care that reflects the values and ethics of the program, considers the dignity and biopsychosocial needs of the patient.

Graduating students will perform at the national level on the Certified Surgical Technologist Examination and will become Certified Surgical Technologists (CST).

Maintain a National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification exam pass rate at or above the national mean.

Achieve an 90% graduate surgical technology program satisfaction rate.

Program Effectiveness Measures

The program will effectively meet the needs of the students and the community it serves.
The student will:
• complete the program.
• pass the NBSTSA CST exam.
• be employed in surgical technology.
• be satisfied with the program.
• employers will exhibit a high degree of satisfaction.

Program Effectiveness Data

Surgical Technology Program Student Retention Rates per cohort

Academic Year

2018-2020

2019-2021

2020-2022

Rate

80%

76%

60%

Surgical Technology Program NBSTSA Certification Pass Rates – 1st Time per cohort

Academic Year

2018-2020

2019-2021

2020-2022

Rate

91%

60%

91%

Surgical Technology Program NBSTSA Certification Pass Rates – Universal per cohort

Academic Year

2018-2020

2019-2021

2020-2022*

Rate

100%

90%

91%

Surgical Technology Program Graduation Rates per cohort

Academic Year

2018-2020

2019-2021

2020-2022

Rate

100%

100%

100%

Surgical Technology Program Job Placement Rates per cohort

Academic Year

2018-2020

2019-2021

2020-2022*

Rate

100%

100%

91%

* Any data listed with an asterisk denotes that all of the information is not yet available

Please note: The granting of the degree is not contingent upon passing National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification exam. Successful completion of all program coursework will qualify the student to graduate with an Associate Degree in Applied Science.

Last Updated: 4/8/24