Online Surgical Technician Courses

Although an occasional surgical technician, also known as a scrub and surgical or operating room technician, can get by with on-the-job training, most employers prefer to hire surgical technicians who have completed anywhere from 9 to 24 months of formal training and additional certification. To obtain a degree and certification, you might start your career with high school coursework that includes anatomy, microbiology, physiology, chemistry and other related life sciences if possible. This foundation will enable you to begin your college education with confidence.

In 2005, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied health education programs (CAAHEP) recognized more than 400 accredited programs throughout the country that offer training for surgical technicians. Programs are typically offered by community and junior colleges as well as Universities and Hospitals. Your training in college may include courses in working with patients, sterilizing equipment and other hospital-related duties as well as training in medical terms and equipment as well as advanced studies in life sciences.

Accredited programs in surgical technology typically last from nine to twenty-four months and lead to associate degrees, diplomas or certificates. This minimal education is required in most cases for certification. Technologists may obtain voluntary professional certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) by graduating from a CAAHEP-accredited program (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) and passing a national certification examination. You may then use the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) designation. Continuing education or reexamination is required to maintain certification, which must be renewed every 4 years.

Certification also may be obtained from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). To qualify to take the exam, candidates follow one of three paths: complete an accredited training program; undergo a 2-year hospital on-the-job training program; or acquire 7 years of experience working in the field. After passing the exam, individuals may use the designation Tech in Surgery-Certified, TS-C (NCCT). This certification must be renewed every 5 years through either continuing education or reexamination.

While a minimal college degree may help you to achieve certification and begin work, you may want more education later to help advance your career. Technologists advance by specializing in a particular area of surgery, such as neurosurgery or open heart surgery. You also may work as a circulating technologist. With additional training, some technologists advance to first assistant. Some surgical technologists manage central supply departments in hospitals, or take positions with insurance companies, sterile supply services, and operating equipment firms.

However, some hospitals now are seeking to keep their surgical technicians happy by developing a clinical ladder [PDF] as an incentive for sugical technologists to continually improve skills, knowledge and competency. You can ask about this incentive when you interview for jobs, as the program begins at entry level. Level I is a practitioner who has recently graduated from a CAAHEP-accredited program and has been employed for one year or less. Certification, however, can provide more impetus for this program…Level II is a certified surgical technologist who has been employed for one year or more and takes on greater responsibility in providing patient care.

Top Online Surgical Technician Degree Programs

BS in Health Services Mgmt	Virginia College Online — The bachelor's degree in Health Services Management offered by Virginia College Online provides students with a strong background in basic healthcare knowledge as well as management and leadership skills. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be well-prepared for becoming surgical technicians or managers.
AS in Allied Health	Independence University — Learn about disease prevention, sterilization and prepping for surgery through this college's associate degree in Allied Health. These are the essential skills you'll need to enter the field of surgical technology. Earning your associate's degree online enables you to progress at your own pace toward your professional goals.
AS in Health IT	DeVry University — For aspiring surgical technicians who want a bigger role in patient data management, DeVry University's associate's degree in health information technology prepares students to learn application systems and work with managing electronic health information databases. HIT professsionals work with nurse, doctors, and other health care providers.
AS in Medical Assisting	Kaplan University — Apply for this school's associate degree in Medical Assisting to achieve a strong foundation in surgical technology. This course is ideal for a fast and flexible solution to your online degree as you earn an entry-level education that concentrates on helping students acquire knowledge and develop skills in performing laboratory, clinical, and medical office procedures.
AS in Medical Assisting	Keiser University — For working adults who need a flexible class schedule, Keiser's associate's degree in medical assisting may be the ideal program for aspiring surgical techs. In most cases, this program can be completed within one year and should provide all the training needed to begin a career as a healthcare professional.
AS in Allied Health Science	South University — Try on South University's associate degree in Allied Health Science for size. This online program provides students with the information and training needed to begin a career in surgical technology, as it is designed to expose students to a broad education in general studies combined with an emphasis on life science subjects such as anatomy and physiology, chemistry, nutrition, and pathophysiology.
AABA in Health Admin	American InterContinental University — This college's online AABA in Healthcare Administration combines surgical technician training with practical training in ethics and business. This degree can prepare you to train further for an administrative position as a surgical technician, as it combines real-world business skills with specific knowledge of today's expanding field of healthcare management.
BS in Healthcare Admin	Ashford University — The BS in healthcare administration degree program offered by Ashford University is designed to provide students with a general background in healthcare while integrating management and leadership skills into the education. Graduates of this program will be well suited to begin a career as a manager within a healthcare setting.
AS in Health Info Mgmt	McKinley College Online — For individuals aspiring to become general healthcare or surgical technicians quickly, McKinley College Online offers a one-year associate's degree in health information management that will provide students with the training needed to begin an entry-level position as a technician within the healthcare industry.
AS in Medical Assisting	Mountain State University — The Mountain State University offers an online Associate of Science degree in medical assisting that prepares students for careers as surgical assistants and technicians. For those aspiring to enter the healthcare field as a cutting edge surgical technologist, the coursework offered through this degree program is well suited toward that endeavor as well.