Also called an operating room technician, a surgical technician prepares the operating room equipment and instruments; assists the patient before, during and after surgery; and passes instruments to the surgeon during procedures. Required training is either a certificate program (typically 9-12 months long) or an associate degree program (12-24 months).
Typical costs:
At a public college, a surgical technology program can cost $5,000-$25,000 or more for tuition, fees, books and other supplies. Living expenses are an additional cost and will depend on the location and circumstances.
For example, at Seattle Central Community College[1] in Washington, tuition, fees and supplies for a nine-month certificate program cost about $5,343 for state residents and $10,410 for out-of-state students; living expenses are typically $7,000-$9,000 or more, for total costs of $12,300-$14,300 for state residents and $17,500-$19,500 for out-of-state students.
At Southeast Community College[2] in Nebraska students receive an associate of science degree after two quarters of general academics plus five quarters (about 15 months) in the surgical technology program; tuition, fees and supplies cost about $6,585 for state residents and $7,865 for out-of-state students; on campus room-and-board is estimated at $8,470-$11,459 for seven quarters, for total costs of $15,000-$18,000, or $16,000-$19,500 for out-of-state students.
At a private college or technical school, tuition, books, fees and supplies can cost $8,000-$50,000 or more, depending on length, student-teacher ratio, amount of hands-on clinical practice, whether the school is not-for-profit or for-profit, and location; living expenses will be an additional cost, and depend on location and circumstances.
For example, Baptist Health Schools Little Rock[3] , a private Christian college in Arkansas, offers a 12-month surgical technology program; tuition, fees, books and supplies cost about $8,400; room and board is estimated at $9,400, for total costs of $17,800.
Berkeley College[4] in New York and New Jersey offers a two-year associate in applied science degree in surgical technology; tuition, fees, books and supplies typically cost $48,110; room and board is estimated at $7,900-$27,400, for total costs of $56,010-$75,510.
What should be included:
A surgical technology program typically includes classroom lectures, lab work and hands-on clinical time in a local hospital or medical center.
Surgical technicians typically work in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center. They spend most of their time standing, and the environment can be stressful and fast-paced. Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC posts a video illustration[5] of the typical duties of a medical technician.
Additional costs:
Most employers require a surgical technician to be certified by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting[6] . Taking a practice examination costs $40. Taking the actual certification exam, $190 for members of the Association of Surgical Technologists and $290 for non-members. Many surgical technology programs schedule students to take the exam just before graduation (with the exam fees paid by the student).
Certification expires after four years; renewal testing costs $399 for AST members and $499 for non-members.
Discounts:
Filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid[7] is required before receiving most scholarships or financial aid. Federal student aid grant information is available online.
The Association of Surgical Technologists offers annul scholarships[8] .
Shopping for becoming a surgical technician:
Look for a school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs[9] . Ask about the number, length and location of program's clinical practicum sites; the percentage of students that complete the program; and the percentage of graduates who find work in their field.
Many colleges have a specific period for accepting applications for surgical technology programs, and only have one or two start dates per year.
Check with each school for its specific requirements. For example, Anne Arundel Community College[10] in Maryland, Mercy College of Health Sciences[11] in Iowa and Kapi'olani Community College[12] in Hawaii describe their varying admissions requirements.
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