How To Become A Surgical Technologist (O.R. Tech)

Steps to Becoming a Surgical Technologist

It takes anywhere from 12 to 24 months (after graduating from high school) to become a surgical technologist. Many practicing surgical techs chose to obtain an associate’s degree from a community college or technical school. Two-year degree programs with a concentration on surgical technology can provide a strong foundation for the career, and many programs include some hands-on experience as part of their degree completion requirements.

An example of a CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology program is Hinds Community College (HCC) in Raymond, Mississippi. Students applying to this program must complete prerequisite courses in anatomy and physiology, English composition, algebra, and humanities at HCC or another educational institution. This program begins every year in August and requires three semesters to complete.

While a student can take a few different pathways to becoming a surgical tech, the basic steps to tackling this career are virtually the same.

Step 1: Graduate from High School (Four Years)

First, students should earn a high school diploma or GED. This is a prerequisite for most post-secondary surgical technologist programs. High school students who want to pursue this career should take courses in biology, anatomy, and hard sciences to prepare for college-level courses. Pursuing an internship at a local hospital is also recommended to gain general experience in a healthcare environment.

Step 2: Earn an Associate Degree or Garner the Equivalent Experience (Two Years)

Aspiring surgical technologists should enroll in an accredited training program at a community college. Alternatively, professional training options are available through US military medical programs, which provide surgical training that can be completed in 12 to 14 weeks.

When choosing programs, students are advised to verify that their program is accredited by a proper agency, such as the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Graduates from schools without proper accreditation may not be eligible for certification exams.

Some examples of schools providing associate degree programs in surgical technology include:

Wallace Community College

Wallace Community College offers an associate in applied science degree in surgical technology. It provides laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction to students and enables them to perform as competent, entry-level surgical technologists after graduation.

Made up of 71 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to surgical technology; applied surgical techniques; surgical procedures; pharmacology for the surgical technologist; microcomputer applications; general microbiology; general psychology; and role transition in surgical technology.

• Location:Dothan, AL
• Accreditation:Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion:Five semesters

Concorde Career College

Covering eight states, Concorde has 17 convenient locations in many of the nation’s largest cities and neighboring communities. Its associate degree program in surgical technology is offered at 14 Concorde campuses, including one in San Bernardino, CA. Concorde also offers an online surgical technology degree completion program that can be completed in as few as eight months.

San Diego’s surgical technology requires the completion of 68 credits. The program blends theory with hands-on practical experiences where students can apply their knowledge in on-campus lab operational settings and become familiar with the practices and processes of an operating room. Students will complete 300 on-campus lab hours, including operating room simulations and patient prep settings.

Before graduation, students will also be required to complete 570 clinical hours in the field through clinical settings under the guidance of surgical technologists and licensed surgeons. Through these clinicals, they can engage with 120 different surgical cases, divided into several types of surgery.

As part of the program, students will delve into anatomy and physiology; surgical technology theory; surgical technology lab; surgical procedures; and a clinical review.

• Location:San Bernardino, CA
• Accreditation:Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP); Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
• Expected Time to Completion:17 months

Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University’s associate of applied science program in surgical technology is designed to cover the clinical and academic skills necessary for performing as a surgical technologist. The program utilizes St. Mary’s Hospital’s skills laboratory and classroom to engage students in a hospital setting to prepare for clinical experience. The program begins in the fall semester each year. Prerequisite courses are completed in the first year before admission to the program’s professional portion (year two).

Comprising 65 credits, the program includes courses such as human anatomy and physiology; health and wellness; pathophysiology; medical terminology in surgical technology; fundamentals in surgical technology; pharmacology for surgical technology; safety and equipment; and specialty surgical procedures.

• Location:Grand Junction, CO
• Accreditation:Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion:24 months

Gwinnett Technical College

Gwinnett Technical College offers an associate of applied science program in surgical technology, which provides students with an opportunity for an exciting career behind the doors of the operating room. Students in this program will study the practices and techniques needed to keep surgical patients safe while also learning how to manage surgical equipment and assist surgeons during procedures effectively.

The program’s curriculum includes hands-on guidance in technologically advanced labs, clinical rotations in area hospitals, and classroom instruction. This 72-credit program includes courses such as an introduction to surgical technology; principles of surgical technology; introductory microbiology; surgical pharmacology; surgical procedures; and a seminar in surgical technology.

• Location:Lawrenceville, GA; Alpharetta, GA
• Accreditation:Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion:24 months

College of Southern Idaho

College of Southern Idaho’s associate of applied science program in surgical technology instructs students in several aspects of surgery including aseptic technique, procedures, instrumentation, anatomy, and microbiology. Graduates of this program will be able to find instant placement in this fast-paced operating room environment and will be eligible for national certification testing.

Consisting of 60 credits, the program includes courses such as medical terminology; central sterile processing; surgical concepts; surgical practice and procedures; leadership skills for surgical techs; human anatomy and disease; surgical pharmacology; anesthesia; surgical procedures; and wound closure techniques.

• Location:Twin Falls, ID
• Accreditation:Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP); Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Expected Time to Completion:24 months

For a more detailed list of surgical technology programs, please check out the surgical technologist schools page.

Step 3: Get Hands-On Professional Experience (Timeline Varies)

While completing an educational program, getting as much hands-on training as possible is recommended, through internships, job shadowing, or other means. These experiences can make a huge difference in practical knowledge and professional connections when searching for a job.

Step 4: Prepare for Certification Exams (Timeline Varies)

After graduation, graduates should prepare for one of the national certification exams through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (details in the following section). While not all states require certification, having it shows commitment to the profession and greatly increases the likelihood of finding a job.

The exam can be completed in one day, but students should allow approximately three months for their application to be approved and to set a date for the exam. More information about surgical technologist certification is detailed in the next section.

Step 5: Apply for Jobs (Timeline Varies)

Once certified, graduates are prepared to find entry-level surgical technologist positions. According to the BLS, more than 71 percent of surgical technologists find employment at hospitals, with the remainder working in physicians and dental offices (BLS 2024). School career counselors can also assist in securing a position.

Also, becoming a member of a professional organization such as the Association of Surgical Assistants (ASA) or the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) can provide professional networking opportunities and access to job postings.