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South College launches Surgical Technology program in Knoxville

November 5, 2019

South College is launching a Surgical Technology program at its campus in Knoxville, Tennessee, and enrollment is open now for students to join the first cohort, which will begin Jan. 15, 2020.

“In order to offer career-focused education, we must stay aware of the job needs in the markets we serve,” South College Chancellor Steve South said. “There is a national shortage of surgical technologists, and the demand for jobs is particularly high in Knoxville. This Surgical Technology program will help our community by fulfilling job demand at local health systems with career-ready employees. We look forward to classes getting underway in January.”

In December, construction will commence on a new lab featuring the latest technology, providing students the ability to use the same equipment in a learning environment that they would encounter in a hospital or surgery clinic. Part of the 18-month Associate of Science program also includes clinical rotations at local health systems to gain applied experience.

“It’s a busy and exciting time launching the Surgical Technology program at South College in Knoxville,” said Sarah Garner, Surgical Technology department chair at the South College campus in Knoxville. “Students will benefit from the modern lab, expert instruction and real-world experience in a career field that already is in need of surgical technologists with a projected demand for even more job candidates.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook nationwide for careers in surgical technology will grow faster than average at 9 percent between 2018-2028. Median pay is $47,300 per year.

Surgical technologists assist in every phase of surgical operations from preparing the rooms, assisting surgeons during the procedure, ensuring sterility throughout the procedure and handling post-surgery cleanup.

South College is pursuing accreditation through the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The accreditation process begins with students entering the program and the college completing a self-study, followed by a campus visit by the organization with the goal of securing accreditation as the first class nears graduation.

South College main campus in Knoxville, Tennessee.

For more information about South College, visit https://www.south.edu.

About South College

South College is a private institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees at the doctorate, educational specialist, master’s, baccalaureate, and associate levels. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of South College. For more information, visit https://www.south.edu.