"Program Director Surgical Technology"

Program Director Surgical Technology

Company: New River Community and Technical College

Job Location:

Category: Surgical Technology

Type: Full-Time

Job Summary

The Program Director/Instructor is a full-time faculty member responsible for the comprehensive leadership, coordination, and delivery of the Surgical Technology Program. This individual ensures full compliance with ARC/STSA and CAAHEP standards through the effective administration of program operations, curriculum oversight, and continuous quality improvement.

The role includes ensuring the delivery of curriculum, coordinating clinical education, developing and evaluating curriculum, and maintaining strong partnerships with clinical affiliates. The Director/Clinical Coordinator provides direct instruction in classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings, ensures timely and accurate assessment of student performance, and oversees the placement, orientation, and evaluation of students at clinical sites.

Additionally, this position ensures that all personnel involved in student education are appropriately oriented, qualified, and supported in their instructional roles. The successful candidate will be dedicated to excellence in surgical technology education, student success, and ongoing program development.

Nature of Work

This position requires a dynamic and experienced professional capable of leading and managing all components of an accredited Surgical Technology program. The work involves a balance of administrative leadership, clinical coordination, and instructional responsibilities.

The Director/Instructor will plan, organize, and oversee the daily operations of the program; coordinate student clinical placements; ensure compliance with national accreditation standards; and deliver instruction across didactic, lab, and clinical settings. The role demands frequent communication with college administration, faculty, students, and clinical affiliates.

Duties include maintaining accreditation standards, conducting curriculum development and review, tracking student clinical performance, and ensuring effective and safe learning environments. This is a hands-on position requiring on-site presence, travel to clinical locations, and a commitment to maintaining excellence in surgical technology education.

Responsibilities

The Program Director is responsible for the full leadership and instructional scope of the Surgical Technology Program. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Directing the Surgical Technology Program

• Administer, organize, and supervise all aspects of the Surgical Technology Program.
• Provide academic oversight, including curriculum planning, development, and review.
• Lead continuous quality review and improvement of the program, in alignment with accreditation standards.
• Maintain program compliance with ARC/STSA and CAAHEP accreditation requirements.
• Prepare and submit annual reports, self-studies, and documentation for accreditation site visits.
• Serve as liaison between the college, clinical affiliates, and external agencies.
• Ensure appropriate instructional staffing, orientation, and professional development.
• Chair and coordinate the Program Advisory Committee (PAC), maintaining active documentation and member engagement.

Coordinating Clinicals

• Coordinate all aspects of clinical education, including student assignments to sites.
• Provide administration, organization, and supervision of student clinical experiences.
• Monitor and ensure documentation of clinical performance, progression, and case completion to support student competence.
• Conduct clinical site visits and preceptor evaluations.
• Provide orientation to clinical site personnel regarding program expectations and evaluation tools.
• Engage in continuous quality review and improvement of the clinical component of the program.
• Collaborate with clinical sites to ensure positive learning environments and preceptor support.

Instructing Students

• Provide instruction in didactic, laboratory, and clinical settings as assigned.
• Develop and implement lesson plans, lab activities, and assessments aligned with program outcomes.
• Evaluate student performance and provide timely, constructive feedback.
• Maintain accurate records of student progress, attendance, and clinical documentation.
• Support student success through mentoring, remediation, and advising.
• Stay current with professional standards, surgical practices, and educational methodologies.
• Participate in curriculum assessment, textbook review, and course revisions.

Professional Development

To perform this role successfully, the individual must be able to carry out each essential duty to an acceptable standard. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Program Director/Clinical Coordinator/Instructor is expected to engage in continuous professional development to maintain and enhance their professional, instructional, and administrative competencies. This includes:

Required Accreditation Training:

The Program Director must participate in an ARC/STSA-sponsored Accreditation Fundamentals for Educators (AFE) Workshop within one (1) year of appointment. The AFE Workshop must also be attended within 12 months prior to any scheduled ARC/STSA site visit (initial or continuing, virtual or on-site). Attendance at an ARC/STSA accreditation workshop is required at least once every five (5) years to maintain current knowledge of accreditation requirements.

Ongoing Development:

The Program Director should pursue ongoing formal training, CEUs, and professional development opportunities related to surgical technology, educational methodologies, clinical coordination, and program leadership. Participation in relevant workshops, conferences, and continuing education courses through organizations such as ARC/STSA, AST, NBSTSA, and CAAHEP is strongly encouraged. These activities support the program's accreditation status, ensure compliance with regulatory expectations, and model professional growth for students and faculty.

Education

Associates - Surgical Technology (CAAHEP or ABHES-accredited) Must have completed by December 31, 2025. - Required

Bachelor's Degree - Health Sciences, Surgical Technology, Education, or related field - Preferred

Certification - Valid CST License - Required

An associate degree is the minimum requirement for the Program Director per Standard I.C.1; bachelor's or higher is preferred for administrative and instructional responsibilities.

Full List of Credentials - REQUIRED (Per CAAHEP Standards for ARC/STSA Surgical Technology Programs)

The Program Director/Clinical Coordinator/Instructor must: 1) Possess a minimum of an associate degree (graduate of a CAAHEP- or ABHES accredited surgical technology program); and 2) Have documented education or experience in instructional methodology, curriculum design and program planning; and 3) Be a graduate of an education program in surgical technology accredited by a nationally recognized programmatic accreditation agency; and 4) Possess a credential in the field of surgical technology through a national certification program that is accredited by the National Commission on Certifying Agencies (NCCA); and 5) Have a minimum total of five years of experience, either in the operating room scrub role or as an instructor in surgical technology, or a combination of both, within the past ten years.

The Program Director should possess experience/training as an educator. The associate degree should have a concentration in surgical technology. Recommended level of education for Program Director is a baccalaureate degree or higher. Recommended continuing education includes; ARC/STSA & EdAccred’s AFE workshop once every 5 years; the ARC/STSA & EdAccred AccredX conference; Site Visitor Training; institutional professional development; and additional administrative, teaching effectiveness and surgical technology-related professional development.