Surgical Technologist AAS (new for fall 2023)
Here is a general overview of what your classes will look like following each quarter. This program has been updated for the fall 2023 quarter. Please contact your adviser for more information regarding the courses. To see which materials are needed for your courses, click this bookstore link (Links to an external site.) and enter the course information.
General Overview
When can I start? Fall (September) or Spring (April)
How long is the program?
- 6 quarters (16 to 17 months) with 103 total credits for the AAS program (fall 2023 and spring 2024 starts)
When do classes meet? 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays with a mix of hybrid and online classes
Are summer classes required? Yes. If you start in the fall, you will need to attend one summer quarter, and if you start in spring, you will need to attend two summer quarters.
In this program, you learn human anatomy, medical procedures, and advanced healthcare technology to work on a surgical care team. A surgical technologist ensures that the operating room is set up safely for patients and supports doctors who perform a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. You will get to practice your skills in regional healthcare facilities before you graduate. The Surgical Technologist program is accredited nationally by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in collaboration with the Association of Surgical Technologists and the American College of Surgeons.
What do surgical technologists do?
What is the average salary?
$64,670 annually
Links to an external site. in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. Most surgical technologists in King County earn at least $51,200.
Who can I contact with questions?
- New students, please visit our Zoom lobby (Links to an external site.) to talk with someone by video chat, or e-mail our advising department.
- For current students, please visit RTC's advising page (Links to an external site and look for the faculty counselor assigned to Surgical Technologist.
Overall Materials Needed:
- Access to a functioning laptop or computer (you may use computers in the RTC Library or Learning Resource Center)
- USB drive (thumb drive)
- Webcam
- Headset with microphone
- Working internet connection
- CastleBranch account ($106)
- Personal health insurance
- Immunizations and personal physical exam Links to an external site.
- General liability and malpractice insurance ($14.62 per year)
- 2 sets of scrubs with a jacket, plus comfortable shoes ($150)
- Safety goggles ($15)
- Textbooks and learning materials ($435)
- Skills lab supply kit (cost TBD)
You must earn a grade of 2.7 or higher in all of your SURG classes in order to graduate.
Applying to the Program
These steps apply to students who start the program in fall 2023 or later.
You must apply to the Surgical Technologist program. See the RTC website for details about deadlines and information sessions Links to an external site.! Here are the basic requirements:
- You must be 18 years old when you begin the fifth quarter of the program.
- You must have a high school diploma, GED, or high school completion.
- You must complete 1 prerequisite class with a minimum of 2.0 GPA. The class must have been completed within the previous 5 years:
- BIOL 105 Survey of Human Anatomy and Physiology (or BIOL& 241 plus BIOL& 242)
Your application must include the following documents:
- an unofficial transcript showing BIOL 105 and any other classes that you have taken at any college
- receipts or proof that you have requested official college transcripts to be sent to RTC
- a copy of your high school diploma, GED, or high school completion equivalent
- the prospective Surgical Technologist student document Links to an external site..
Once you are accepted to the Surgical Technologist program, you will need to provide proof of immunizations and a current physical examination. Links to an external site.
About Transfer Credit
If you already have credit for one or more of the following classes, you may not need to take as many classes during Quarter 1 or Quarter 2 here at RTC:
- ENGL& 101 English Composition or another writing class
- Any college-level math class
- algebra, finite math, statistics, or calculus
- Any social science class
- anthropology, cultural studies, economics, history, psychology, or sociology
- Any humanities class
- art, communication, drama, literature, music, philosophy, speech, or world languages
When you send your official college transcripts to RTC, we will be able to determine what classes you have completed already. If you have credit for 3 or 4 of the 4 class requirement above, it could affect the amount of financial aid that you receive in Quarter 1 and/or Quarter 2.
Quarter 1 Classes
Description: You will learn about operating room design, roles of the surgical team, medical terminology, and sterile technique. You also will complete English and math classes for your degree. Learn more about English placement here.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
| COMP 100 or ENGL& 101 | Applied Composition or English Composition | varies by class | 5 |
| AMATH 175 or AMATH 190 | Financial Math or Financial Algebra (or more advanced mathematics class) | NO | 5 |
| SURG 103 | Operating Room Environment I | YES |
6 |
| Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,210 | |||
Quarter 2 Classes
Description: You learn about potential hazards and risks for surgical patients, and you will successfully set up for a laparotomy procedure. You also complete your last 10 credits of general education for your degree. Choose one social science class and one humanities class; recommendations are listed below.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SURG 104 | Operating Room Environment II | YES | 4 |
| SURG 105 | Psychology of the Workplace | NO | 4 |
| ANTH& 235 or SOC& 101 |
Cross-Cultural Medicine or Introduction to Sociology or other social science class |
varies by class | 5 |
| CMST 280 or SPAN& 121 |
Intercultural Communication or Spanish I or other humanities class |
varies by class | 5 |
| Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,250 | |||
Quarter 3 Classes
Description: You will learn how to move, transfer, and position patients for procedures in the following surgical specialties: obstetrics, gynecology, ophthalmology, laparoscopy, endoscopy, and general surgery. You also study aseptic technique, surgical patient preparation, wound care, anesthesia administration, and other medications.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SURG 101 | Perioperative Case Management | no new ones | 3 |
| SURG 116 | Surgical Specialties and Procedures I | no new ones | 5 |
| SURG 119 | Principles of Surgical Instrumentation | no new ones | 3 |
| SURG 120 | Skills Lab Practicum I | NO | 6 |
| Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,352 | |||
.
Quarter 4 Classes
Description: You will learn how prepare for procedures in new surgical specialties: reconstruction, oral maxillofacial, ear-nose-throat (ENT), genitourinary, cardiothoracic, vascular, and neurology. You practice related skills in the mock operating room to prepare for your first clinical placement in Quarter 5.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SURG 107 | Surgical Specialties and Procedures II | no new ones | 10 |
| SURG 115 | Skills Lab Practicum II | NO | 5 |
| SURG 132 | Surgical Pharmacology | no new ones | 3 |
| Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,435 | |||
Quarter 5 Classes
Description: You will learn how to support surgical patients while you complete your first clinical practicum in a local hospital or healthcare facility. You also start to review for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SURG 121 | Certification Exam Prep I | YES | 5 |
| SURG 122 | Clinical Externship I | YES | 11 |
| Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,581 |
|||
Quarter 6 Classes
Description: You complete your second and final clinical practicum, and you spend time preparing your job search and interviews. You will complete your intensive preparation for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam.
It's time to apply for graduation!
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SURG 113 | Certification Exam Prep II | no new ones | 5 |
| SURG 123 | Clinical Externship II | NO | 5 |
| SURG 124 | Surgical Technology Capstone | no new ones | 6 |
| Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,349 |
|||
The CST exam for Certified Surgical Technologists costs $247. This includes a study guide and membership in the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST). Links to an external site.
The Surgical Technologist license fee for WA state is $70.
Grand Total Estimated Costs: $15,151 plus the cost of personal health insurance and skills lab kit
Continue your education! You can choose from applied bachelor programs in healthcare. Western Governors University also has a pathway to their Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Service Coordination. Links to an external site.
Not quite the path you want to take? Let's go back to the Program Map!