Surgical Technology
Program Details
-
Cost & Financial Aid
Education is a major investment, but it’s an investment in your future. Every student comes to Carrington with unique financial needs. Carrington College is committed to helping you achieve your education goals. We participate in most financial assistance programs, both federal and state, as well as private financing. Each program has different requirements and application instructions. Student loans, grants, and scholarships are available to those who qualify.
For complete information on current tuition please see the Academic Catalog.
-
Location Availability
Carrington College’s Surgical Technology program is available at one campus in California and one campus in Arizona. To learn more about each location, explore their campus pages.
-
Program Specific Disclosures
Retention Rate
Based on the most recent annual report submitted to the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP):
- San Jose: 73% (2020-2021)
-
Accreditation and Approvals
Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC/WASC), 428 J Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814; 415- 506-0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions, can be found at www.accjc.org/.
The Surgical Technology program at the San Jose and Phoenix campuses are accredited by the: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, CAAHEP, 9355 – 113th Street N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, 727 210 2350, www.caahep.org.
For comprehensive information on Carrington’s accreditation and approvals, visit carrington.edu/accreditation.
REAL WORLD SKILLS
START YOUR PATH
FLEXIBLE LEARNING OPTIONS
AFFORDABLE TUITION
Discover What It’s Like to Train to Become a Surgical Technologist at Carrington College
Career Opportunities
Surgical technologists play a vital role on a healthcare team. Keeping surgical equipment and operators sterile is a very important job. Surgical technologists help maintain a sterile environment in hopes of reducing postoperative infections in patients.
According to the BLS, some typical surgical technologist job duties may include:1
- Preparing operating rooms for surgery
- Sterilizing equipment and making sure there are adequate supplies for surgery
- Readying patients for surgery, such as by washing and disinfecting incision sites
- Helping surgeons during surgery by passing them instruments and other sterile supplies
- Counting supplies, such as surgical instruments, to ensure that no foreign objects are retained in patients
- Maintaining a sterile environment to prevent patient infection
What Will I Learn?
Basic Surgical Procedures
Surgical Case Management
Advanced Surgical Procedures
Introduction to Surgical Technology
Check out our guide on becoming a Surgical Technologist.
The operating room hums with tension. A surgeon is painstakingly operating on a patient. The room is full of medical personnel who all serve important purposes. And you’re there, in the middle of the action. If that sounds like an exciting and fulfilling career, then you may be looking to become a surgical technologist. Surgical technologists serve an important role in hospitals and surgical centers, working under the supervision of doctors, nurses, or other surgical personnel to make sure the operating room is ideal for surgery.
Surgical Technology FAQ
-
How long is a surgical tech program?
Different schools have different requirements for their surgical tech programs—some certificate programs claim they can be earned in a year. At Carrington College, we offer a comprehensive Associate of Science in Surgical Technology program designed to help you build the foundational skills you need to experience success and growth throughout your career. Our program can be completed in as few as 15 months.
-
What are the requirements to be a surgical technician?
Aspiring surgical techs will need to complete specialized training before pursuing a role in the industry. Coursework in the area will cover anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and other essentials of this type of patient care.At Carrington College, our Surgical Technology program offers the insights, skills, and associate degree credential needed to perform the duties of a surgical technologist.
-
What is a surgical technician?
A surgical technician, also known as an operating room technician and surgical technologist, assists the medical team within an operating theater. Before the operation even starts, they are sterilizing equipment, assembling instruments, and helping prepare the patient for surgery. They maintain the sterile operating environment during surgery. After the operation, they count up instruments and safely dispose of used materials, among other duties.
-
What is the difference between surgical technician and surgical technologist?
Essentially, there is no difference in the operating theater. Whether known as a surgical technician or technologist (or operating room technician), these medical professionals are essential to every surgical team. They help ensure surgical success by assembling needed surgical equipment, maintaining the sterility of an operating environment, and disposing of used materials.
