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Surgical Technology Program

Prepare to assist surgeons with hands-on surgical tech training!

20
monthsEarn your Surgical Tech Associate Degree
3
locationsLos Angeles, Ontario and Anaheim
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Become a certified surgical technologist and get ready to prep patients and operating rooms for surgery.

Get the surgical tech training you'll need to administer life-saving measures under pressure. Gain experience both in the classroom, lab and in real operating room settings.

Looking for the right surgical technology school near you? ACC’s Surgical Technology program emphasizes hands-on learning and real-life experience, equipping you with the skills you need to prepare operating rooms, work directly with patients and assist doctors during procedures.

Find a Surgical Technology program near you. Our program is available at our three Southern California campuses: Los Angeles, Ontario and Anaheim.

This program is taught in a blended format combining online classes with in-person instruction.

Program is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)

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In ACC's Surgical Technology Program, You'll Learn to:

Learn to Equip and Manage Operating Rooms

Equip and Manage Operating Rooms

Track patient health by learning to use the sphygmomanometer to monitor blood pressure.

Learn to Manage Instruments

Manage Instruments

Assist surgeons and nurses during surgery.

Learn to Prep Patients for Surgery

Prep Patients for Surgery

Practice monitoring vital signs and preparing charts.

Surgical Technology Course List

Learn more about what's in store for you in the Surgical Technology associate of occupational science degree program. For more on surgical technology courses, visit the college catalog.

General Education Courses

Course Number

Title

Clock Hours

Quarter Credits

ANAT205-L Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Lab 40 2.0
ANAT205 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology 20 2.0
MATH110 College Mathematics I 40 4.0
ENGL100 Written Communications I 40 4.0
PSYC100 Introduction to Psychology 40 4.0
 

Totals

180

16.0

Course Number: ANAT205-L

Title Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Lab
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 2.0

Course Number: ANAT205

Title Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Clock Hours20
Quarter Credits 2.0

Course Number: MATH110

Title College Mathematics I
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

Course Number: ENGL100

Title Written Communications I
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

Course Number: PSYC100

Title Introduction to Psychology
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

TOTALS

Clock Hours

180

Quarter Credits

16.0

Core Courses

Course Number

Title

Clock Hours

Clinical Hours

Quarter Credits

CAREER200 Career Advantage 20 0 2.0
MEDTR110 Medical Terminology 40 0 4.0
SURG100 Introduction to Surgical Technology 40 0 4.0
SURG111 Surgical Techniques I 40 0 4.0
SURG111-L Surgical Techniques I Lab 80 0 4.0
ANAT240 Advanced Anatomy and Physiology 60 0 6.0
SURG131-L Surgical Techniques II Lab 80 0 4.0
SURG210 Pathophysiology I 40 0 4.0
SURG260 Surgical Procedures I 80 0 4.0
SURG230 Pathophysiology II 40 0 4.0
SURG270 Surgical Procedures II 80 0 4.0
SURG140 General Microbiology 40 0 4.0
SURG200 Pharmacology 40 0 4.0
SURG251 Clinical Orientation 40 0 4.0
SURG251-L Clinical Orientation Lab 80 0 4.0
SURG296-A National Certification Review I 40 0 4.0
SURG282 Clinical Practicum I 270 270 9.0
SURG296-B National Certification Review II 40 0 4.0
SURG292 Clinical Practicum II 270 270 9.0
 

Totals

1420

540

86.0

Course Number: CAREER200

Title Career Advantage
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: MEDTR110

Title Medical Terminology
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG100

Title Introduction to Surgical Technology
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG111

Title Surgical Techniques I
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG111-L

Title Surgical Techniques I Lab
Clock Hours80
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: ANAT240

Title Advanced Anatomy and Physiology
Clock Hours60
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits6.0

Course Number: SURG131-L

Title Surgical Techniques II Lab
Clock Hours80
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG210

Title Pathophysiology I
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG260

Title Surgical Procedures I
Clock Hours80
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG230

Title Pathophysiology II
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG270

Title Surgical Procedures II
Clock Hours80
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG140

Title General Microbiology
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG200

Title Pharmacology
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG251

Title Clinical Orientation
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG251-L

Title Clinical Orientation Lab
Clock Hours80
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG296-A

Title National Certification Review I
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG282

Title Clinical Practicum I
Clock Hours270
Clinical Hours270
Quarter Credits9.0

Course Number: SURG296-B

Title National Certification Review II
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: SURG292

Title Clinical Practicum II
Clock Hours270
Clinical Hours270
Quarter Credits9.0

TOTALS

Clock Hours

1420

Clinical Hours

540

Quarter Credits

86.0

Courses offered online.
Courses offered in a blended format, a combination of online and on ground.

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 102.0

Surgical Technology
Surgical Technology Program Overview

The American Career College Surgical Technology program is designed to equip you with the skills you'll need to begin a rewarding career. The class curriculum focuses on the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains necessary to prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors and nurses during surgical procedures.

Surgical Technologists are responsible for many important tasks assisting in the care of surgical patients, including these duties:

  • Working with surgeons, nurses, and other operating room personnel
  • Understanding fundamentals steps and routine procedures in order to assist the surgeon
  • Helping to ensure surgical procedures are performed efficiently and effectively
  • Equipping the operating rooms for surgery
  • Maintaining equipment, rooms, and supplies
  • Preparing patients for surgery

After successfully completing the school's Surgical Technology program, you will be eligible to take the certification exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

From lectures to real-world experience, our ACC programs are designed with your career in mind.

Apply Now

From lectures to labs, our ACC curriculum is designed with you in mind.
What does a surgical technologist do?

Surgical technologists assist surgeons, nurses and anesthesiologists during surgical operations. Students in ACC’s Surgical Technology program will be trained to do the following:

  • Prepare the operating room by checking supplies and equipment
  • Set up a sterile table and electrosurgical unit stand
  • Pass instruments and other sterile supplies to the surgeon during surgery
  • Hold retractors and cut sutures1

1California Employment Development Department Detailed Guide, Surgical Technologists in California

Am I a good fit for the Surgical Technology program?

If you love being right in the action and don’t mind the sight of surgical procedures, our Surgical Technology program might be right for you.

Here are some of the top skills and attributes that make for a great surgical technologist:

Active listening – Surgical technologists need to be able to listen and understand what is being asked of them before, during and after surgery.

Operations monitoring – Surgical technologists should be able to watch any relevant machine, including gauges, dials or indicators.

Critical thinking – Surgical technologists perform essential actions in operating rooms. Critical thinking skills can help them make logic-based decisions and find viable solutions to problems.

Equipment maintenance – Maintaining a safe and sterile environment is essential in operations.

Service orientation – A great surgical technologist is one with a passion for helping patients and for providing the best care possible.

Where do surgical technologists work?

Surgical technologists can work in a variety of settings, including:

  • General medical and surgical hospitals
  • Outpatient care centers
  • Physicians’ offices
  • Dentists’ offices1

1California Employment Development Department Detailed Guide, Surgical Technologists in California

What will I learn in the Surgical Technology program?

This class curriculum is divided into eight 10-week quarters, each of which includes prescribed subjects or studies that build upon each other. Clinical experience in hospital settings is also required for successful completion of the school's program, and these clinical rotations, which begin in quarter seven, comprise 540 hours.

In addition to general education courses, core courses in American Career College's Surgical Technology program include:

Anatomy and Physiology I – This course provides an overview of the associate major terms and physiologic functions used in anatomy with clinical situations. You will learn about the human body and how it functions.

Introduction to Surgical Technology – In this course, you will learn about surgical technology as a profession, and the structure of healthcare facilities and hospital organization. You will also be introduced to the scope of practice as a member of the surgical team and become familiarized with medical terminology.

Surgical Techniques I Lab – In the laboratory component of this course, you will be introduced to basic surgical techniques such as aseptic technique, scrubbing, gowning and gloving, establishing a sterile field and organizing the sterile field. You will also learn how to perform the surgical counts as well as assisting with draping the surgical patient.

Operating Room Fundamentals – This course will introduce you to the operating room environment as well as basic surgical instrumentation, equipment and supplies. Common hazards and safety precautions will be discussed, and you will also learn about technological advances of the modern operating room.

Surgical Procedures I – In this course, you will study advanced techniques in surgical patient care, which will be reinforced through hands-on practicum. You will learn the different roles of the surgical technologist (Scrub Role - STSR, Assistant Circulator - STAC, and Second Assistant – STSA roles) during routine mock surgical procedures in a laboratory setting.

Clinical Practicum I – This course provides you with the opportunity to participate in actual surgical procedures. You will direct patient care in the STSR role in the following areas: preoperative, intra-operative care, and postoperative patient care. You will also participate in assisting with instrument processing as well as pulling supplies and instrumentation from the sterile supply areas.

For a complete description of coursework in these modules, please refer to the ACC Catalog.

How long will it take to earn my surgical tech degree?

Students can earn their associate degree to become a surgical technologist in as little as 20 months.

How much does the Surgical Technology program cost?

Our admissions advisors and financial aid advisors are here to support you. They can help you figure out the surgical technology school cost and help you explore financial aid options.

To learn more about ACC’s Surgical Technology program cost, access our tuition info.

Is financial aid available for surgical technology?

Yes, financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.

Will I get real-world surgical tech training?

Yes! ACC's Surgical Technology program includes over 500 hours of clinicals which gives students the opportunity to demonstrate and reinforce the knowledge and skills they acquired learning hands-on throughout the training program.

Surgical Technology
After a mix of classroom and mock surgery labs, you'll be ready for your first day on the job.

Our classes are modeled after real-life situations, including mock surgeries using the same equipment you'll come across in your first job. That way, you're prepared to jump in on your very first day.

Schedule a Tour

"I had always been interested in medicine, but I didn't want to deal with the drama of applying to even a community college. Now, I'm a trained Surgical Technician!"

- Jessica S. '10

Surgical Technology
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in California | ACC

Surgical technologists work directly at the center of life-saving and life-changing action. They perform important jobs like preparing patients for operation, keeping operating rooms stocked/sanitized, and providing technical support to surgeons and perioperative nurses. (See our full breakdown of the role in our “Day in the Life of a Surgical Technologist” post.)

See Career Guide

What's Happening at American Career College
Want more details about the Surgical Technology program?

By clicking above, I consent to receive calls, emails and/or text messages** by a college representative with information for educational opportunities at the number(s) provided above. understand calls may be initiated by an automated telephone dialing system. I need not grant this consent to receive information or to be eligible to enroll with ACC. I understand that I am not required to provide consent as a condition of any purchase. I also understand that I may revoke my consent at any time in accordance with ACC's Opt-Out Disclaimer. All information provided is subject to ACC's Privacy Policy. (**Standard rates may apply.) Disclaimer I understand that if I no longer wish to receive text messages from ACC, I may revoke my consent at any time by texting back "Stop" to unsubscribe from the service. I understand that if I no longer wish to receive emails, I may revoke my consent at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link within any email I receive from ACC. I understand I may revoke my consent to receive calls by informing any ACC associate calling me that I no longer want to receive calls from ACC.

*Required

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