What credentials are required to work as a surgical assistant?

• Individuals may sit for a certification exam through The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting to become a Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA). See nbstsa.org for more information.

How is the program designed?

• The program combines classroom, laboratory, and clinical learning experiences.
• Laboratory experiences will be held on campus.
• Clinical experiences are provided at area hospitals and surgery centers in Stark and surrounding counties.  Students are required to complete a specified number and types of cases per clinical rotation.

What is the mission and goal of the program?

• Mission
  • The mission of the surgical assisting technology program is to provide an affordable, yet valuable education dedicated to academic excellence and additionally provide the fundamental skills and tools to produce a competent Certified Surgical Assistant.
• Goal
  • The goal of the program is to provide students with the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to gain employment as entry-level surgical assistants and become contributing members of the surgical health care team.  This will be accomplished by preparing the students in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.

What are the eligibility requirements to apply to the program?

• Candidates must meet one of the following criteria to apply:
  • surgical technologist with one-year work experience
  • health professional , i.e., registered nurse, physician assistant or military trained with one year of operating room work experience in the scrub or assistant role
    NOTE:  All applicants who don’t hold current certification as CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) will be required to pass an entrance proficiency exam.

• Completion of two semester course of Anatomy and Physiology or equivalent course
• B or higher in ITD 100 or computer proficiency
• Background checks

Is Stark State College an equal opportunity institution?

• Stark State College is committed to equal opportunity for all and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, military status, pregnancy, disability, age, genetic information, or sexual orientation.

How do I apply to the program?

• Apply to Stark State College
• Meet with an admissions counselor
• Print the surgical assisting application and employment verification form.
• After the first semester, contact your program advisor for assistance with scheduling.
• Complete the above course and GPA requirements and meet one of the listed entrance criteria.
• Complete the employment verification form and obtain signature verifying employment history
• Complete required background checks.
• When you have completed all application requirements/criteria, contact the surgical assisting program coordinator for an appointment to review your application at 330-966-5458
• You must bring the completed application, employment verification form, background check eligibility notification and proof of completion of Anatomy and Physiology course(s) to the appointment.

What are some important things I should know?

• Students must maintain a “C” or better in all courses in the curriculum (technical and non-technical).
• Students may not be able to be placed at clinical sites or find employment if they have a positive background check. See health and public services criminal background check information for a list of potential disqualifying offenses.
• You may have difficulty finding a job if you smoke.