The Surgical Technology program in the U.S. is a very beneficial program. Many people aimed to go to the United States for higher education.
And there is no denying that the United States offers the best education, as the U.S. ranked first in the world for breadth and quality of higher education.
If you are interested in surgical technologist programs and diplomas and searching for surgical technologist schools in the United States, this article is for you.
We have summed up all the appropriate information regarding surgical technology schools and tuition fees for the Surgical Technology program in the U.S.
Who is the surgical technologist? And how to be?
The surgical technologist is one of the surgical team’s life-saving members, which generally comprises surgeons, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses.
Surgical Technologists aid in surgical operations, supporting surgeons, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel. Instead, they assist in a surgical procedure; they also perform hands-on tasks, such as:
- Preparing operating theatre by setting up surgical instruments and equipment
- Preparing patients for operation by washing, shaving, and cleaning or disinfecting incision sites
- Passing tools and other sterile supplies to the team during surgical procedures
- Maintaining and organizing a proper sterile field throughout the surgical process
- Monitoring and assessing operating room conditions throughout the day.
Becoming a surgical technologist is not an easy job; it needs discipline, patience, practice, and a hard stomach to digest and tolerate the harsh environment of the operation theatre.
Somebody enthusiastic plus passionate about healthcare to participate in surgical procedures without becoming a surgeon is the one who can become a surgical technologist.
Being a surgical technologist does not demand as much education as becoming a surgeon; it does require completion of a specific program that can take between one and a half and two years to complete, but some schools also provide a 4-year bachelor’s program.
In this surgical tech program, students learn basic anatomy and medical terminology, microbiology, sterilization techniques, equipment handling, patient care, understanding and practicing the various surgical procedures, and learning how to assist both doctors and patients in preparing for surgeries expertly.
The main section of a surgical technology program is the “practicum.” The practicum is a hands-on clinical rotation in the hospital settings that allows students to practice their academic learning in a real-world environment. It is one of the essential requirements to become a certified surgical technologist.
This program is especially for those who enjoy working with or in a team environment and don’t care about bodily fluids’ sights and smells.
How to enrol in surgical technology programs in the U.S.?
The surgical technology programs in the U.S. usually demand a high school diploma, a decent GPA (often a minimum 2.0-3.0 or above), and good patterned test scores. Some schools request recommendation letters or require prerequisite courses covering biology to English.
Candidates likely need to complete a trial in CPR and surgical tech education, including hands-on experience with patients.
Students often finish a capstone experience to gain a graduate certificate, which may involve a research project or internship.
Eight best Surgical technology programs in the U.S.
1. Pennsylvania college of technology- Williamsport
Pennsylvania College offers surgical tech education at the bachelor’s level. The school’s associate of applied sciences in surgical technology qualifies students to serve as part of an operating room team, providing care before, during, and after surgical procedures. Penn College stresses hands-on education.
Surgical technology students complete at least 700 hours of experiential training, including 200 lab hours and 500 clinical placement hours.
2. Alvernia University- Reading, Pennsylvania
Alvernia gives a dual-enrollment surgical tech program in cooperation with Reading Hospital’s School of Health Sciences.
The program allows candidates to earn an ally of science in surgical technology through courses at Alvernia and clinical practice hours at Reading Hospital. Most students complete the program in 20 months.
Students achieve various clinical experiences, building surgical practice skills in professional healthcare environments.
3. Pennsylvania college of health sciences- Lancaster
College offers Pennsylvania’s top surgical techs. The school’s associate program in surgical technology develops comprehensive skills through practical learning, including advanced simulations and clinical labs.
The program prepares competent students for surgical assistant positions in various acute care settings, such as general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, and neurosurgery.
The surgical tech program qualifies candidates for the surgical technology certification exam. The program records a 90% pass rate for graduates with a 100% job placement rate within six months of graduation.
4. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
A centre of healthcare education in Nebraska, NMC offers both undergraduates and graduate students from its campus in Omaha. The school grants one of the state’s top surgical tech program training to work beside surgeons and pretend to help in critical roles in the operating room.
5. Washburn University- Topeka, Kansas
W.U. ranks one of the state’s top surgical tech schools. W.U.’s surgical technology certificate program builds the necessary skills needed to maintain operating rooms and assist surgeons in surgical procedures.
The program prepares applicants to take the certified surgical technologist national graduation exam. The surgical tech certificate includes 47 credits in total hours, divided into 13 courses.
6. Great Plains Technology Center- Lawton, OK
The school’s program trains the students to handle instruments and assist surgeons during a medical procedure.
Combination of classroom instruction, clinical experience, and laboratory practice, the program prepares graduates to serve as influential members of surgical teams.
Candidates have to complete 1,185 educational hours total, divide into 555 hours of theory courses and 630 lab or clinical hours.
All students have to complete a 3-part surgical tech practicum that builds hands-on skills in a healthcare environment.
7. Mount Aloysius College- Cresson, Pennsylvania
This school offers one of the state’s best surgical tech programs, preparing learners for modern surgical operating rooms’ pace and complexity. MAC’s Associate of Science in surgical technology gives a 100% job placement rate among graduates.
The program’s first year focuses on theoretical concepts and simulated lab exercises, while the second year covers clinical practice, enabling the candidate to assist in real-life clinical, surgical procedures.
8. Collins Career Technical Center- Chesapeake, Ohio
The school provides one of the state’s best surgical technology programs. Candidate training provides seamless, efficient, and safe patient care. The surgical tech program completes ten months, beginning each year in August and concluding the following June.
All students have to complete a surgical rotation that includes a minimum of 120 surgical cases divided into 30 general surgery cases and 90 specialty surgery cases.
Students must complete a minimum of 80 points in the rotation in the first scrub role. This program offered surgical tech certification through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
Future scope
Surgical technology programs prepare students to support and assist surgeons during medical operations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), surgical technologists earn a median annual salary of up to $48,300.
The BLS projects recorded future employment rate for these professionals increased by 7% (nearly 10,000 new surgical tech jobs )from 2019 to 2029.
Benefits of studying surgical technology in the U.S.
Being a surgical technologist, you’ll be an essential member of a life-saving team. The fact is, in the U.S., surgical technologists command a mediocre salary of more than $48,000 in a year.
When you consider how little time you’ll have to spend in school, the amount of money you can earn as a surgical technologist is pretty impressive! Besides job security, the operating room experience can be an excellent foundation for future career development in the surgical tech field.
The operating room is a fast-paced, hands-on environment that allows an endless collection of new and exciting challenges. Plus an opportunity to work with advanced surgical technology around, including laser, robotic, and fiber optic devices.
Takeaway
Surgical technology programs typically require at least 120 total credits, including about 60 general education credits and 60 clinical practice credits.
The surgical technology course generally covers anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology, microbiology, asepsis and aseptic technique, medical terminology, surgical procedure, surgical pharmacology, and hands-on training.
The above-mentioned surgical technologist schools in the United States offer top surgical technologist programs.
The surgical technologist is employed almost everywhere in hospitals, surgery centers, or polyclinics. And after the COVID-19 pandemic, the employment of Health care workers increased more.