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

Http://www.caahep.org/

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

Employment and Wage Data Sources

¹Employment data come from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and reflect WA/OR employment for students enrolled at BTC between 2016-17 and 2018-19. Students are included in the employment rate if they left with a credential. Rates are not shown for programs with fewer than 10 students meeting the above criteria.

²Wage data come from Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) 2020 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates (Washington State wage) and reflect 2015-2018 employment. Wage data represent occupations that BTC faculty have identified as the most relevant career paths for program graduates. Note that these wages reflect employees with varying educational levels/credentials. For cases in which multiple occupations have been identified by faculty, a weighted percentile is calculated using each occupation’s percentile wage and employment size estimate. Wages are not shown for programs for which occupations do not meet the ESD’s minimum thresholds for publishing. If the program has wage data from the Washington SBCTC that involves shift work, these ESD wages reflect the same number of hours used in the annual wage calculation. Starting wage = 25th percentile, median wage = 50^th percentile, wage potential = 75th percentile.

Estimated Program Costs

Estimated Books, Tools and Supplies Costs

Tuition Fees and Rates

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

Students interested in the Surgery Technology program should apply to the college and contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with getting started at BTC. A college application and your score on assessment testing and/or previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence.

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.

Checklist for Surgery Technology
Surgery Technology FAQ

There is no separate admission process or application for this program.

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?

ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

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:

Human A&P 1 (BIOL& 241)
Human A&P 2 (BIOL& 242)
Microbiology (BIOL& 260)
Introduction to Chemistry (CHEM& 121 or CHEM& 161)
English Composition 1 (ENGL& 101)
Math in Society (MATH& 107) or any MATH course from the AAS-T alternative course list will be accepted.
Intro to Surgery Technology (SURG 100)

Completion of the following courses with a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) or higher in each course:

General Biology with Lab (BIOL& 160)
Interpersonal Communications (CMST& 210) or General Psychology (PSYC& 100)
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.

Clinical Placement Requirement Info Sheet
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?

1. Apply to BTC and Financial Aid
2. Assess Your Starting Point
3. Advising & Registration
4. Prepare to Attend

Classes

Total Program Credits: 58

Quarter 1
SURG 120 Surgery Technology I 12 CR
The student will gain theoretical and practical knowledge of general equipment, instrumentation, surgical team member roles and health care facilities and their management. Includes physical, psychological, and ethical aspects of patient care in addition to principles of aseptic technique, sterilization and safety in the operating room. Students will participate in activities that help to identify, manage and apply general terminology to medications and solutions used in operating room settings. Student will apply the theories and principles of pharmacology for use in the operating room environment in order to provide safe and effective management of medications.
Future Offerings:
Fall 2022
09/20/2022-12/09/2022 MTWThF 8:00 AM-3:00 PM Julie Lange
Icon Key
- Online Asynchronous
- Online Synchronous
- Hybrid Asynchronous
- Hybrid Synchronous
- Face-to-Face
- Self-Support
- Definitions
  Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
  Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
  Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.
  
  Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.
  
  Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
  Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.
  
  Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.
SURG 125 Surgery Technology Lab I 10 CR
The student will participate in lab activities based on principles and techniques of operating room procedure. Students will develop skills necessary to plan, set-up and maintain sterile fields. In addition, the student will orient to health care facilities.
Future Offerings:
Fall 2022
09/20/2022-12/09/2022 Julie Lange
Icon Key
- Online Asynchronous
- Online Synchronous
- Hybrid Asynchronous
- Hybrid Synchronous
- Face-to-Face
- Self-Support
- Definitions
  Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
  Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
  Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.
  
  Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.
  
  Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
  Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.
  
  Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.
Quarter 2
SURG 133 Surgery Technology II 10 CR
In this course the student will gain further theoretical and practical knowledge of specialty equipment, instrumentation, and surgical supplies. The student will detail intra operative care techniques and the surgical technologists’ role in surgical case preparation and surgical procedures.
Future Offerings:
Winter 2023
01/04/2023-03/24/2023 MTWThF 8:00 AM-3:00 PM Julie Lange
01/04/2023-03/24/2023 Julie Lange
Icon Key
- Online Asynchronous
- Online Synchronous
- Hybrid Asynchronous
- Hybrid Synchronous
- Face-to-Face
- Self-Support
- Definitions
  Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
  Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
  Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.
  
  Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.
  
  Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
  Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.
  
  Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.
SURG 136 Surgery Technology Clinical Practice I 12 CR
The students will participate in activities that correlate the theories and principles of surgical procedure and technique in a mock operating room (lab) setting. In addition students will assume the role of a student surgical technologist participating in surgical procedures in affiliated hospitals, surgery centers or clinics.
Future Offerings:
Winter 2023
01/04/2023-03/24/2023 MTWThF Julie Lange
Icon Key
- Online Asynchronous
- Online Synchronous
- Hybrid Asynchronous
- Hybrid Synchronous
- Face-to-Face
- Self-Support
- Definitions
  Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
  Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
  Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.
  
  Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.
  
  Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
  Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.
  
  Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.
Quarter 3
SURG 143 Surgery Technology III 6 CR
In this course the student will gain further theoretical and practical knowledge of specialty equipment, instrumentation, and surgical supplies. The student will detail the surgical technologists’ role in procedures and techniques used to achieve intraoperative hemostasis, proper patient documentation and patient care emergencies. The students will also describe the surgical technologists’ professional and legal responsibilities.
Future Offerings:
Spring 2022
04/05/2022-06/23/2022 Julie Lange
04/05/2022-06/23/2022 MTWThF 8:00 AM-3:00 PM Julie Lange
Spring 2023
04/05/2023-06/23/2023 MTWThF 8:00 AM-3:00 PM Julie Lange
04/05/2023-06/23/2023 Julie Lange
Icon Key
- Online Asynchronous
- Online Synchronous
- Hybrid Asynchronous
- Hybrid Synchronous
- Face-to-Face
- Self-Support
- Definitions
  Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
  Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
  Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.
  
  Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.
  
  Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
  Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.
  
  Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.
SURG 145 Surgery Technology Clinical Practice II 10 CR
The students will participate in activities that correlate the theories and principles of surgical procedure and technique in a mock operating room (lab) setting. In addition students will assume the role of a student surgical technologist with emphasis on independent scrubbing on surgical procedures in affiliated hospitals, surgery centers or clinics.
Future Offerings:
Spring 2022
04/05/2022-06/23/2022 Julie Lange
Spring 2023
04/05/2023-06/23/2023 Julie Lange
Icon Key
- Online Asynchronous
- Online Synchronous
- Hybrid Asynchronous
- Hybrid Synchronous
- Face-to-Face
- Self-Support
- Definitions
  Online Asynchronous - The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Online Synchronous - The class is taught completely online; attendance at scheduled online class meetings at specific times is required. There is no face-to-face instruction.
  Hybrid Asynchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
  Hybrid Synchronous - This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
  Face-to-Face - This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.
  
  Self Support - Self-Support classes have different fees and refund policy than state-supported classes. See the Tuition and Fees page for more details.
  
  Synchronous - Online class meetings are scheduled to occur in real time.
  Asynchronous - No required online class meetings are scheduled.
  
  Note: All modalities include regular coursework due dates and require class participation.

Program 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!

Fall 2022
	09/20/2022-12/09/2022	MTWThF	8:00 AM-3:00 PM	Julie Lange

Winter 2023
	01/04/2023-03/24/2023	MTWThF	8:00 AM-3:00 PM	Julie Lange
	01/04/2023-03/24/2023			Julie Lange

Spring 2022
	04/05/2022-06/23/2022			Julie Lange
	04/05/2022-06/23/2022	MTWThF	8:00 AM-3:00 PM	Julie Lange
Spring 2023
	04/05/2023-06/23/2023	MTWThF	8:00 AM-3:00 PM	Julie Lange
	04/05/2023-06/23/2023			Julie Lange

Surgery Technology

Surgery Technology

Surgery Technology - AAS-T

Employment Information

Estimated Program Costs

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?

ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

Early Program Course Requirements

Physical Requirements

What are My Next Steps?

Classes

Total Program Credits: 58

Quarter 1

Quarter 2

Quarter 3

Program Outcomes

Employment Outlook

Faculty & Support

Julie Lange

Laura Doss