Surgical Technician

The Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technician program at Blake Austin College prepares students for a career in the operating room. This hybrid program combines online coursework with hands-on lab training and clinical externships to help students develop the technical and practical skills needed for entry-level surgical technology positions in hospitals, medical centers, and public and private surgical centers.

Students learn about the surgical profession and develop the fundamental concepts and principles of aseptic technique necessary to participate on a surgical team. Topics include preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative principles of surgical technology, an introduction to intraoperative pharmacology, and the concepts of anesthesia administration. Basic surgical furniture, equipment and supplies are presented, and students learn to identify common equipment and surgical supplies — including suture, needles, drains, catheters and dressings — and when and why they are needed. The anatomy and physiology of the major systems are covered, with emphasis on the digestive, integumentary, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and reproductive systems, along with the surgical wound, incisions, suture material, wound healing and specimen handling.

You will learn to:

• Identify common surgical equipment, instruments and supplies and explain their use.
• Apply aseptic technique and maintain a sterile field.
• Assist surgical teams by passing instruments and handling supplies.
• Support procedures through proper counting and documentation practices.
• Handle and label surgical specimens appropriately.
• Communicate effectively with surgical staff and healthcare teams.

Blake Austin College’s healthcare programs are designed not only to prepare students to pass their state licensing exams but to be successful in post-graduation careers. The college encourages a learning environment that promotes self-discipline, motivation and excellence, and its hands-on approach supports the student from the introduction of training through employment.

• Multiple license programs, top educators, exam prep and alumni benefits.
• A modern 22,700 ft² facility at 770 Mason Street in Vacaville, with equipped laboratories, a computer lab and a learning resources center, and easy access from I-80 with ample parking.
• Flexible class schedules, financial aid for qualifying students, and scholarship opportunities.
• The Career Services Department offers lifetime job placement assistance; the college says it is highly regarded by local employers.
• Nationally accredited programs that represent real-world knowledge, hands-on skills and preparation for licensure.

Prospective students must meet the following minimum requirements for admission into all Blake Austin College programs:

• U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen (visa services are not provided).
• High school graduate, successful completion of high school equivalency (GED), or official home-study transcripts equivalent to high school level and recognized by the student’s home state; the high school must be accredited by a Department of Education recognized accrediting agency.
• Complete the Blake Austin College Application for Admission.
• Take and pass the entrance assessments (math, reading comprehension and vocabulary); up to three attempts may be made within a 4-week period.
• Complete financial aid requirements and attend the General Student Orientation.

BAC does not admit Ability-to-Benefit students.

Immunizations, background and drug screening. Students must verify immunizations (Hepatitis B series, MMR series, Varicella series, Tetanus and seasonal flu vaccine; a TB skin test and/or chest x-ray may be required) and complete drug and background screening by an independent contractor. Immunization records, background results and a “clear” drug screen must be received by the 7th day of enrollment or enrollment will be cancelled. A felony conviction on the background screen results in denial of admission; other convictions are reviewed by the academic department. All related fees are the student’s responsibility.

The program is 1290 clock hours (92 quarter credits), listed at 80 weeks in the catalog and approximately 19 months on the program page, with select classes offered online. Classroom capacity is 40, with labs of 20 students per instructor. Before graduation students complete 420 hours of supervised clinical externship across two placements; externship hours may be scheduled during the day and are typically full-time.

Cohort starts. The next 2026 cohort starts November 2, 2026 (orientation October 29, 2026) and ends June 25, 2028. Earlier 2026 cohorts began January 20, April 6, June 15 and August 24.

Total cost of program (tuition, books, supplies, technology fee and lab materials included): Clinical Medical Assistant with Phlebotomy, 920 hours/46 weeks, $20,193; Diagnostic Medical Sonography, 2060 hours/70 weeks, $48,000; Surgical Technician, 1290 hours/80 weeks, $43,900; Vocational Nursing, 1620 hours/48 weeks, $37,035. A $100.00 non-refundable registration fee is not included. Under the catalog addendum effective October 28, 2026, students enrolling in programs starting in 2027 pay DMS $49,441, Surgical Technician $45,172 and Vocational Nursing $38,151.

Financial aid. Financial aid is available to those who qualify, in the form of grants, scholarships and federal loans; all loans and some grants must be repaid. Blake Austin College is approved to participate in the Federal Student Aid program, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, the U.S. Department of Rehabilitation, and state and local programs including Cal Grants. Start by filling out the FAFSA at studentaid.gov using Federal School Code 040033.

Payment options. Institutional payment plans are offered for balances remaining after all federal loan options have been awarded. Institutional scholarship applications are completed during enrollment, and awards are based on successful completion of the program. The college does not participate with any private loan companies. Other fees: $25 for returned checks, $15 for official transcripts.

Graduates may pursue entry-level opportunities in hospitals and operating rooms, medical centers and acute care facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, public and private surgical centers, and specialty surgical practices. Graduates qualify to sit for the national certification for surgery technicians; application and testing fees are not included in the program fees.

The occupation is Surgical Technologist (SOC 29-2055): assisting in operations under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses or other surgical personnel — helping set up the operating room, preparing and transporting patients, adjusting lights and equipment, passing instruments and supplies, holding retractors, cutting sutures, and counting sponges, needles, supplies and instruments. Reported job titles include Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), Operating Room Technician and Surgical Scrub Technician. The program began on October 27, 2025, so its School Performance Fact Sheet does not yet report outcome data.

Clinical externships. Students complete 420 hours of supervised externship across two placements, working directly with surgical teams. Responsibilities may include operating room setup and breakdown, practicing sterile technique and patient transfer, assisting with instrumentation and surgical counts, and supporting communication and documentation within the perioperative team.

Labs. Training equipment includes Mayo stands, ring stands, back tables, an electrosurgical unit, a laparoscopic tower with scopes, cameras, monitor and light source, OR tables and lights, suction machines, mannequins, patient transfer boards, and instrument trays and instruments.

Curriculum highlights include anatomy and physiology of the major body systems; perioperative practice (preoperative preparation, intraoperative procedures, postoperative care, surgical wounds, suture materials and wound healing); and instrumentation and equipment (surgical furniture and setup, sterilization and packaging, counting techniques and documentation). Surgical Technician applicants also complete a health screening and a program orientation.