Surgical Technology | Westmoreland County Community College, Youngwood, Pennsylvania

Find your career in a clinic or the operating room as a surgical technologist.

Earn a degree in surgical technology

Surgical technologists are allied health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings such as medical offices, out-patient clinics, and the operating room. 

What Will I Learn?

As a surgical technologist, you implement safe practice techniques in regards to perioperative routines, patient transportation, positioning, and emergency procedures.  You will learn to accurately apply knowledge and skills of a professional surgical technologist to address the biopsychosocial needs of the surgical patient. The objective of this program is to prepare entry-level surgical technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

Our new Surgical Technology program is conveniently located at our New Kensington Center where there is free parking and renovated rooms with up-to-date technology. The New Kensington Center also has designated study areas and a lounge where you can work while you wait for your next class. 

What Will I Earn? 

If you plan to stay in the region, there are many occupations related to this program degree and certificates. In the 10-county region* surrounding Westmoreland County Community College, the earnings for occupations in this field range from:

  • $18.91 - $64.55 per hour, with an average hourly wage of $35.98 for surgical assistants
  • $18.22 - $29.19 per hour, with an average hourly wage of $23.72 for surgical technologists

It is important to remember that wages vary based on level of education, experience, job location and other factors. 

Source: Data provided by Lightcast™ (https://lightcast.io/) 2023.1

* 10-county region includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland.

Accreditation

The Associate of Science in Surgical Technology program offered at the New Kensington campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) 9355 – 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775, 727-210-2350).

How to Apply

  • Complete and submit an Application for Admission to the college. 
  • Receive a College Login:  24-48 business hours after applying, you will recieve a college login.
  • Log into Westmoreland:  Use your login to access "MyWestmoreland" from the top of any page on the college website.
  • Access the Health Professions Application:  Within MyWestmoreland, go to Student Resources and Popular Links to find the Health Professions Application.  Two applications are required:  Westmoreland application and Health Professions Application.
  • View the Surgical Technology Checklist

*Students may be exposed to communicable diseases, unpleasant sights, and odors.  The student should be aware that they will be participating in real surgical interventions during clinical rotations and there is a risk of being exposed to airborne or blood borne pathogens.  Not all patients are aware of an illness or disease that they may have, nor are they required to disclose health information according to HIPPA.  While we prepare the student for an entry -level position as a certified surgical technologist, the risk of contracting a disease or illness is understood to be  a hazard of the profession, but the safety of the student in the learning environment is a priority for the faculty and instructors.