Surgery Technology
Surgery Technology - AAS-T
Bellingham Technical College Surgery Technology Program is nationally accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355 113th St N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775 727.210.2350
Attend an online Allied Health Info Session on November 17, 2021 and learn about our Allied Health programs, about funding and student support resources that can help you get started at BTC.
Attend an online Surgery Technology Info Session on April 14, 2022 and learn about our Surgery Technology program, about funding and student support resources that can help you get started at BTC.
If you are interested in being a valuable part of surgery teams, working beside surgeons, nurses, and other medical professionals, you can train for an exciting career as a Surgery Technologist. With BTC’s high quality education and hands-on training, you’ll gain the valuable skills needed now by hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, and dental surgery offices.
BTC's students graduate prepared for top jobs: 100 percent of program graduates passed the National Certification of Surgical Technology Exam in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. 90% passed in 2018. 100% passed in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Upon successful completion of the BTC Surgery Technology Program, students are awarded an Associates Degree in Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) and are eligible for licensure as a Surgical Technologist in WA State.
Note: BTC has not made a determination that the Surgery Technology curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure/certification outside of Washington State. We encourage students who plan to work out-of-state to check relevant local licensure/certification requirements.
Employment Information
Data are provided on a program (not credential) level
95% BTC graduate placement rate1
$44,368 starting annual wage2
$51,981 average annual wage2
$61,559 potential annual wage2
Estimated Program Costs
Entry Information
When Can I Start?
Students interested in the Surgery Technology Program are encouraged to meet with Allied Health College Navigator Laura Doss by emailing advising@btc.edu. The college navigator will help you plan a course of study.
This program typically admits students into first quarter core courses in the fall. Registration for Fall Quarter starts halfway through Spring Quarter.
Program-ready students are invited to register for Surgery Technology courses. Students who have completed ALL prerequisite requirements before the start of first quarter core courses will be allowed entry based on the order in which they register.
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Surgery Technology FAQ
There is no separate admission process or application for this program.
Starting in Fall students will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. To be considered fully vaccinated, two weeks must have passed since the date of the second dose or first dose for the one-dose vaccine. The program’s clinical partner agencies will not accept any exemption to full COVID-19 vaccination.
What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?
Applicants must score at the "PROFICIENT" level or higher in each of the four areas on one transcript. See the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills handout for more information about this entrance assessment: The Test of Essential Academic Skills- ATI TEAS Handout
Students can take the TEAS through the BTC Assessment Center or remotely through ATI.
Registration Directions for TEAS at ATI
Students must be 18 years or older before beginning program core courses.
Early Program Course Requirements
Prior to registering for the program core courses students complete all prerequisite courses at BTC or complete the transcript evaluation process for courses taken at another institution.
ALL COURSES MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 5 QUARTER CREDITS OR 3 SEMESTER CREDITS
Completion of the following courses with a minimum grade of 3.0 (B) or higher in each course:
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Human A&P 1 (BIOL& 241)
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Human A&P 2 (BIOL& 242)
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Microbiology (BIOL& 260)
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Introduction to Chemistry (CHEM& 121 or CHEM& 161)
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English Composition 1 (ENGL& 101)
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Math in Society (MATH& 107) or any MATH course from the AAS-T alternative course list will be accepted.
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Intro to Surgery Technology (SURG 100)
Completion of the following courses with a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) or higher in each course:
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General Biology with Lab (BIOL& 160)
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Interpersonal Communications (CMST& 210) or General Psychology (PSYC& 100)
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Fundamentals of Medical Terminology (HT 100)
Physical Requirements
AFTER admissions acceptance into the program and prior to beginning program classes students must submit proof of all Clinical Placement Requirements.
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This program requires a criminal history background check prior to attending the clinic practicum. Criminal History Background Check Information Sheet
What are My Next Steps?
Classes
Online Asynchronous
Online Synchronous
Hybrid Asynchronous
Hybrid Synchronous
Self-SupportProgram Outcomes
The goal of this program is to prepare competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains
Adhering to the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technologists, 6th ed. and employer and instructor’s expectations, upon completion of the Surgery Technology program, the student will:
- Demonstrate proficiency in the care of the operative environment preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively.
- Provide safe patient care with strict adherence to sterile technique and asepsis.
- Demonstrate critical thinking relating to prioritization, anticipation, problem analysis and evaluation of solutions.
- Apply the principles of effective verbal, non-verbal, and written communication.
- Compile completed Clinical Case Experience Log of surgical procedure assistance in accordance with the Core Curriculum for Surgery Technology, 6th ed.
- Demonstrate knowledge and experience by successful completion of the National Certification Examination for Surgical Technologists.
Employment Outlook
Employment of surgical technologists is expected to increase. Technological advances such as fiber optics and laser technology will also permit new surgical procedures to be performed.
About 95% of BTC Surgery Technology students are employed within nine months of graduation. The average annual wage in this field is $55,661, with an earning potential of about $64,709 per year.*
Criminal convictions may restrict or prevent student participation with internships and employment in this industry.
Most surgical technologists are employed by hospitals and work primarily in operating and delivery rooms. Others are employed in clinics and surgical centers and in the offices of physicians and dentists who perform outpatient surgery. Hospitals will continue to be the primary employer of surgical technologists, although much faster employment growth is expected in offices and clinics of physicians, including ambulatory surgical centers.
Faculty & Support
Julie Lange
Laura Doss
Laura Doss has been at BTC for 10 years in the roles of Academic & Career Advisor, Student Navigator, Instructor, Completion Coach and now College Navigator for the Allied Health Programs. Laura earned her Bachelor of Science while serving in the US Army and stationed in Germany and her Master of Education while stationed at Fort Sill, OK. Her initial education and training was in the mental health field before moving into education. Outside of work, Laura likes to spend time with her four kids, walking the trails, cuddling with her tiny dog and reading a ton of books!