ARC/STSA National Surgical Technology Trends

The following data were gathered from the Annual Reports that all Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
(CAAHEP)-accredited Surgical Technology programs are required to submit to the ARC/STSA. Publication of this national data is part
of the ARC/STSA’s commitment to transparency and quality higher education in Surgical Technology. The CST™ exam is administered
by the National Board for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

 

Surgical Technology Outcomes Trends 2013-2015*

OUTCOMEYearPercentageOUTCOMEYearPercentage
Student Retention201666.23%Employer Survey Return Rate201665.24%
201564.98%201564.86%
201460.01%201464.76%
201360.89%201365.66%
201262.17%201264.26%
OUTCOMEYearPercentageOUTCOMEYearPercentage
CST™ Exam Participation201697.53%Employer Satisfaction201696.74%
201597.00%201595.92%
201495.52%201495.17%
201390.60%201394.02%
201293.08%201296.06%
OUTCOMEYearPercentageOUTCOMEYearPercentage
CST™ Exam Pass Rate201678.69%Graduate Survey Return Rate201667.12%
201577.26%201565.88%
201475.75%201462.37%
201364.93%201363.04%
201261.44%201266.60%
OUTCOMEYearPercentageOUTCOMEYearPercentage
Graduate Placement Rate201681.61%Graduate Satisfaction201696.62%
201578.73%201596.98%
201477.58%201496.14%
201378.46%201394.71%
201275.64%201294.84%

The ARC/STSA has established the following thresholds for each outcome

Student Graduation Rate70% for all cohorts that enrolled before August 1, 2015
60% for all cohorts that enrolled on or after August 1, 2015
CST™ Exam Participation100% for all graduates
CST™ Pass Rate70% for all graduates
Graduate Job Placement80% for all graduates
Employer Survey Return Rate50% for all surveys sent to employers
Employer Satisfaction Rate85% for all completers before August 1, 2016 and administered no sooner than 9 months from graduate
placement. Use the unrevised Employer Satisfaction Survey Form- www.arcstsa.org
70% for all completers on or after August 1, 2016 and may be administered immediately upon placement. Use the newly revised Employer Satisfaction Survey Form
Graduate Survey Return Rate50% for all surveys sent to graduates
Graduate Satisfaction85% for all completers before August 1, 2016 and administered no sooner than 6 months from program
completion. Use the unrevised Graduate Satisfaction Survey Form
70% for all completers on or after August 1, 2016 and may be administered immediately upon completion of the program. Use the newly revised Graduate Satisfaction Survey Form-www.arcstsa.org

9/6/2016